December 2013 Soundtrack

I'm still around.  I spectacularly flamed out at NaBloPoMo AND my 30 Days of Thankful, and then went radio silent.  Nice job, me.  The last 2 weeks have been busy, what else is new, right?  I'm trying to figure out how to configure my life so that I can find time to write regularly.  I have stuff to say!  Doing NaBloPoMo was a good kick start in a way, but there were a lot of days that I was writing so late that I felt like my creativity wasn't at it's best.  I need to find time when I'm altert and not just posting after the kids go to bed every night.

In any case, it was definitely a good experience, and I'm sure I'll do it again - maybe next time I'll actually succeed?  Today though, I want to talk about my current soundtrack.

I have been listening to more music lately even though I usually listen to audiobooks in the car.  I'm a bit worried I'm not going to be able to meet my 50 book goal this year, but lately I have just felt so much like singing at the top of my lungs.  The last couple of days I've been in the mood for Christmas music, somehow - despite the fact that I listen to it for 8 hours a day at work.  This is my theme song for this season:



I absolutely LOVE Sarah's version, but then I heard this on the radio, and oh, my heart!  Just when I thought I couldn't like Cee Lo any more... amazing.



Lately I've been having a newfound love affair with Maroon 5.  I don't know why that happens, re-discovering or finally listening to new music from a band you really like.  I've been listening to a lot of stuff from their last album, and right now, I am totally obsessed with these three songs:



Though I totally dislike the video... this video on the other hand, is awesome:



And I looked for a real video for this one, but it doesn't seem to exist, so you'll just have to listen.  I love it:



I am also loving this one, though it's prone to make me feel a sadness in my soul.



I've been enjoying that kind of music lately, you see it in my choice of winter song above, and in my calm in listening to this one.  I feel like I'm in the midst of some huge turmoil, and there is a quiet sadness about me. It's not bad, it just is.  And this music is my background right now.

This one is also heartwrenching in many ways, and touches me.



One of my other very favorite songs right now is this one.  There's just something about the saga-like sound, maybe it sounds like something from a musical and that's why I like it.  I have kind of fallen for Fun. this year, and this is definitely my favorite song.



On another note, today I heard on the radio that Paul Simon and Sting are coming to Seattle in February.  I'd like to go to that.  I feel like Paul Simon is one of those artists on my list of people I'd like to see, and probably won't get many chances for.  Maybe I'll be lucky and someone will get me tickets for Christmas.

Finally, let's leave it with my very favorite Christmas song ever, specific to this version.  Amazing:



What's your soundtrack like these days?

Hannah Montana and a Raccoon

Joy

Happiness/Beauty

So, I can't really write right now.  Instead I will post things I found and enjoyed because they made me happy or because they are beautiful.  I want to share them with you, and then  I will have a happy place when I feel like I need cheering up.  I hope you like them.

We Are Star Dust

This is amazing and beautiful.

Symphony of Science

Friday Fragments

Friday Fragments are bits and pieces of your week that are usually brief; too short for a stand-alone post, but too good to discard. Collect humorous observations, "Heard" items, and other small gems and put them together in a Friday Fragments post.

Friday Fragments are the brainchild of Mrs.4444 and you can find more at Half Past Kissin' Time.

*****

Next week is going to be so exciting!  First, my birthday is on Wednesday.  I am turning 31.  I don't have any plans yet, other than my mom making me a pecan pie, like she always does for my birthday.  Then we have Thanksgiving at my Mom's house, which should be fun.  Mostly because I don't have to cook.  Or clean.  Then on Friday I get to go down to Seattle for my birthday trip - I did it last year and I think I like the idea of an annual tradition.  Friday, dinner with friends and joint b-day celebration with my friend Tara then Breaking Dawn part 1, Saturday a me-day then spending the night at my sister's and helping decorate her tree.  I can't wait!

*****

Are you watching Glee?  I felt so bad for Santana in this week's episode.  Yes, she is mean.  But no one deserves to be outed like that.  And that Adele mashup?  Amazing! 

*****

I took Sam to see Puss in Boots last weekend, and my head almost exploded when I saw this preview.



This is one of my absolute favorite books and it looks SO PRETTY! I seriously can't wait to see it. Justin said the words IMAX when we watched the preview, and that might need to happen.

 *****

Speaking of movies, this:



CAN'T WAIT!

*****

Sometimes I see videos online and I kind of can't believe them.



First off, what a great voice.  Second, this just blows my mind.  I can't imagine having the skill or ear to put something like this together.

*****

Have a great weekend!

Friday Fragments: Video Edition!

Friday Fragments are bits and pieces of your week that are usually brief; too short for a stand-alone post, but too good to discard. Collect humorous observations, "Heard" items, and other small gems and put them together in a Friday Fragments post.

Friday Fragments are the brainchild of Mrs.4444 and you can find more at Half Past Kissin' Time.

*****

This week for my Friday Fragments I'm feeling quite fragmented, and have decided to do a video edition. I will intersperse my fragments with videos of the songs I sing to Danny when I'm putting him to bed. It can be pretty random. Here's the first one - one I had sung to me as a child. Who could possibly not love this one?



*****

This week's Glee was SO GOOD. I loved it, particularly this fabulous mashup of Rachel & Quinn singing Unpretty/I Feel Pretty.



Also, Kurt is FINALLY back! He is my absolute favorite, and Chris Colfer singing As If I Never Said Goodbye? SO GOOD. I was glad they gave him such a wonderful song, and a totally full length version of it too. And they always do Gaga well, don't they? I totally teared up a couple of times, including when poor Emma was sitting in the psychiatrists office getting her prescription. As someone who has had to take that step to ask a doctor for help I am glad they are treating it a little bit as a serious issue instead of just having it be 'funny' forever.

*****

Here's song #2 I sing regularly. I couldn't find an official video, please ignore the weird imagery.



I have never been a HUGE country fan, but I do like some of Garth Brooks stuff, and this is perfectly in my range.

*****

Are you on Pinterest yet? If not, WHY NOT? Yes, is is completely and ridiculously addictive. But it's so much fun! Also, having a place to go and basically just look at pretty things you like? It's awesome. I also like it because I can use it to pin things instead of bookmarking them in my browser, then I can access them from anywhere and know where to find them later.

*****

Song three... sad subject matter, but I love, love, love this song.



*****

Sam is turning FIVE on Monday. Can you believe that? I can't! For his birthday, we're dropping Danny off at my Mom's and having a just-for-Sam day down in Seattle going to the Pacific Science Center, including the Star Wars exhibit. He is SUPER excited, and I honestly can't wait. Extra bonus, I'll get to dawdle around in the butterfly room with my new camera!

*****

Another Dixie Chicks song. I wasn't sure about this song at first, because I thought it was about a man. Then I realized it wasn't, and it might have made me tear up a little. It's beautiful.



*****

Danny got his first bleeding injury today. Twice. Yeah, he did not have a great day. This morning he finally managed to hurt himself on the two brick steps leading down into our living room. I didn't actually see it happen, but he somehow fell directly on his face and got a bloody nose. Not five hours later, Sam managed to kick him in the face with sock feet and he was bleeding in his mouth. Poor little dude. He was happy again by the time he went to bed though, and went down without even waking up.

*****

Here's another song I like to sing as a lullaby, because I like some of the lyrics. It's relaxing.



What lullabies did you/do you sing your kids? Did your parents sing to you?

*****

We got Sam Kirby's Epic Yarn for his birthday. He has been watching the Ultimate Wii Challenge video of the two guys playing it for weeks, and he LOVES it. We gave it to him early because we knew how much he was looking forward to it, and it's tons of fun and easy enough that he can play it for the most part. We have all been having a good time playing together.

Well, I guess that's all for this week. I'm off to visit you guys! I haven't been getting as much computer time lately, so I'm really looking forward to reading the fragments this week.

My 13 Favorite Glee-ful Songs

I used to participate in Thursday Thirteen more regularly, and since I love lists so much maybe I'll jump back in. This is a list I've been thinking about for a while - my list of my top songs from Glee. I've included videos for each, though a few are just audio with a static picture because it's all that was available. I still love Glee every week, and it makes me laugh and cry. The first five are my absolute favorites (in no particular order), and the remaining 8 videos are not in any certain order.

1. Thriller/Heads Will Roll - I wish there was a video of the actual performance for this one. This has got to be one of the best mashups I've ever heard, and it's definitely in my top 5.



2. It's My Life/Confessions Part 2 - This was one that just wowed me when it happened. I loved the crazy manic energy of this episode (courtesy of some type of cold/sinus medication Terri was giving the students).



3. Defying Gravity - Seriously, this is where I fell absolutely in LOVE with Kurt. He's my favorite character on the show. Once, when I was pregnant with Danny, this song came on while I was driving and I burst into tears because it was so beautiful.



4. Bad Romance - Kurt again! And Santana really showed her stuff in this one. This is my favorite to sing along to while it blares in the car.



5. Dream On - When I heard that Neal Patrick Harris was going to be on, I was so excited! This duet is just so good. Also, this is a song I would DEFINITELY not know all the words to if it weren't for Glee.



6. The Boy Is Mine - Santana and Mercedes battle it out.



7. Give Up the Funk - One of the things that was cool about this one is that it was one of the first times that you were able to get the true range of Chris Colfer's voice - there is no autotune or adjustment, that's really him singing those notes.



8. Bills, Bills, Bills - It's just different. And Kurt and Blaine? LOVE.



9. Vogue - How could you not love this? Sue cracks me up nearly every week.



10. Lady is a Tramp - Puck shows his stuff. Awesome.



11. Don't Rain on My Parade - Another one where I was just absolutely WOWED when I saw it.



12. Alone - Kristin Chenowith is pretty awesome, and I had no idea she could sing like this. I knew she sang, but when she belted the chorus out? It was awesome.



13. Slave 4 U - I really like Britney. She's funny, but innocent and caring all at the same time. And do you ever just focus on her dancing? Really good.



Also, I totally love Burt Hummel. This totally made me cry, and he rocks.



Also, Matthew Morrison and Jessalyn Gilsig totally acted the shit out of this scene where he discovers her fake preggo belly, and it is STILL stuck in my mind.



Do you watch Glee? What are your favorites?

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Friday Fragments: At Home and Around the Web

Friday Fragments are bits and pieces of your week that are usually brief; too short for a stand-alone post, but too good to discard. Collect humorous observations, "Heard" items, and other small gems and put them together in a Friday Fragments post.

Friday Fragments are the brainchild of Mrs.4444 and you can find more at Half Past Kissin' Time.


This week, I want to share some cool things I've found around the web in the last couple of weeks along with a few thoughts that are floating around in my head.

Check out this photo at Dooce. I can't stop staring at it, it's so beautiful.

*****

How cool is this video?



Very cool!

*****

I know some of you are watching Top Chef with me. How did you like this week's episode? Here are my thoughts...

The look on Richard's face when they brought out the fryers? It could have withered plants. But then he made FRIED MAYONNAISE. I am not even kidding. Wow.

Antonia fried some avocado. I think I want to eat that. I felt so bad she made the mistake of only one plate, because she would have won.

Tiffany must share that she is from Beaumont, TX of course. Is there really anyone who doesn't know that by now?

Why did Mike COPY something from Richard's notebook? So bizarre. Douche alert. Then he WON with it. He says in cutaway "Richard, it's not your dish, it's my dish, because I won the 5 G's." Douche.

Fabio told Richard they get along so well and that Richard reminds him of his ex-wife. Hilarious.

When Carla finds out that Mike copied Richard's dish, she says it goes against "chef law." She says there is man law, and there is chef law. And on 30 Rock, there is "sky law." I'd like to hear about all of the different weird "laws" out there. Know of any?

I was glad Richard won, he's definitely one of my favorites. Then the bottom three - I was NOT happy to see Carla there. Then Tiffany said she didn't actually cook any of the shrimp. WTH? Wasn't that the main part of the dish? I don't know, it just seems like a strange thing to delegate on when it's the main ingredient, and the point of the challenge.

I was really worried for a minute that my dreams of a Richard-Carla-Antonia finale were going to be dashed, but in the end it was Dale.

BTW, if you're a Top Chef fan, you should really be reading Amalah's hilarious recaps over at Mama Pop. She often has some of the same thoughts I do. Also, the recaps at TV Line are good too!

*****

There have been some interesting things going on in politics, and I'd love to say I plan to write about all of them. BUT, with a fussy baby and a 4 year old, it might not happen. So, for now, here are some posts I really enjoyed this week.

Jules at Mean Girl Garage wrote about how right now, she doesn't feel like the government is speaking for her. Her post has some great links.

Katie, one of the ladies from Curvy Girl Guide, wrote about the shitty amendment removing federal funding for Planned Parenthood.

Christina at A Mommy Story wrote about Michele Obama's Let's Move campaign to help kids get/stay fit.

Vodka Mom and Mrs. 4444 (once here and once here) both wrote great posts about the situation in Wisconsin from the point of view of teachers.

*****

Yeah, so... this happened.



Gah! We are in so much trouble right now. He had his 9 month doctor appointment on Monday and he is up 2% to the 7th percentile for weight, and shot up in height - he grew more than 2 inches in the last three months! He's tall and skinny just like his brother. The doctor agreed that we could try giving him some soy formula to see if he could tolerate it by now, so Tuesday-Friday we tried giving him 25-50% soy in his bottles with the Alimentum. It seemed to be going okay at first, but last night he was so uncomfortable and fussy, and that's the only thing we've changed. So, well have to scale it back and go a little slower. It sure would be nice to get him off the $27 cans of formula that only last a few days.

*****

Also, it snowed here this week. With the wind chill, it's been SO cold taking Sam down to the bus this week. At some point, it would be nice to put a little shelter at the bottom of the driveway for him to stand in while he waits for the bus. We also got our notice for parent teacher conferences, ours is March 11. I can't wait to talk to his teachers again and find out about the progress he's made.

*****

I got my 50mm 2.5/f macro lens this week! Yay! I have not had a chance to take many photos with it yet, but am looking forward to taking it outside with me once it's not so frigidly cold. I'll have a few photos up here on Sunday for Weekly Winners too.

*****

This weekend is pretty empty, though I am definitely planning on watching the Oscars on Sunday! I am participating in an Oscar pool for the first time this year, and it will be fun to cheer for the ones I chose! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Fabio, Stefon & Hoodie Footies

Friday Fragments are bits and pieces of your week that are usually brief; too short for a stand-alone post, but too good to discard. Collect humorous observations, "Heard" items, and other small gems and put them together in a Friday Fragments post.

Friday Fragments are the brainchild of Mrs.4444 and you can find more at Half Past Kissin' Time.

*****

I was SO sad that Fabio got sent home on Top Chef this week! He was one of my favorites, if nothing else because he had the best quotes. He posted a great good-bye video on YouTube:



I'm totally rooting for either Carla or Blais now.

*****

*****

This week, Danny learned how to pull himself up. No more putting things on low tables to keep them out of his reach. I think crawling is just around the corner, and that's going to be a BIG can of worms.

*****

Awesomeness.


see more Hacked IRL - Truth in Sarcasm

*****

Danny also LOVES graham crackers. He totally chows on them. They make a huge mess, but oh well. They make him totally happy.

*****

Does anyone else still watch Saturday Night Live? I have been watching back episodes from this season that I didn't get to yet, and actually laughing a lot! There is this one character, though, that always makes me laugh so hard. His name is Stefon.



There is something about the combination of the ridiculous things he says and the way he often can't keep it together that I just love.

*****

Tonight is date night! I can't wait to get out of the house. Confession time - I have not been out of the house since last Sunday. Well, except walking down the driveway to take Sam to the bus and pick him up. Having just one car kind of puts a damper on any plans I might have. We need to figure something out - most likely buying a used minivan of some sort for very little money.

*****

I have my book club this weekend and I am very excited to see my friends down in Seattle. I have really been missing them lately, maybe partially because I didn't get to see them last month.

*****

I want these SO bad you guys. Unfortunately they are $70 (wha??). And kind of crazy.


They also have them for men and children. So your whole family can match. That might just make the BEST Christmas Card ever.

*****

That might be all for this week. I was working on a bunch of articles this week but I'm hoping I'll have a little more time for blogging next week. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Friday Fragments

Friday Fragments are bits and pieces of your week that are usually brief; too short for a stand-alone post, but too good to discard. Collect humorous observations, "Heard" items, and other small gems and put them together in a Friday Fragments post.

Friday Fragments are the brainchild of Mrs.4444 and you can find more at Half Past Kissin' Time.



~ Again this week I was ready to sit down and write a post, but what I have on Thursday night is two sick kids (up one from this morning) and I'm stealthily watching Private Practice (which is hurting me so much and if I wasn't typing I would likely be bawling) on the computer with headphones and typing and crossing my fingers that he'll stay in restless sleep long enough for me to finish this post. Danny started coughing yesterday and had a fever last night, we took him to the doctor today and he has a wet cough and a mild ear infection. Then tonight Sam was really restless falling asleep and now he's feverish too. Awesome. I have no idea what's going on but I hope I'm not next.

~ This week, Sam and I were at the end of the driveway waiting for the school bus. He likes it when I stand outside the car and he leans out the window and we dance to the music together. He also really likes it when Justin or I "do Danny's voice" - talk in a high little voice and pretend it's Danny talking. We were talking about the cars going by on the road so I had Danny ask Sam "what's that noise?" Sam replied, "It's just vehicles."

~ We've been working on getting Sam sleeping in his own bed again. He did a full week, then he regressed a little. We decided to try the 'sleep fairy' idea, giving him a little prize under his pillow each morning if he stays in his own bed all night. He has also been waking up less during the night, and going back to sleep easier when he does wake up. It's been awesome. Even if he comes in our room he knows that he's not allowed to be in the bed with us, he can sleep on his "floor bed," which is Danny's crib mattress on the floor with a pillow and blanket. It's been great having our bed somewhat back - Danny's still in it, but that's a whole other story.

~ Here is a gratuitous photo of me as a baby, because I scanned it last week and it makes me smile.



~ Do you read The Spohrs are Multiplying? Well, if you don't, you should. If nothing else, you need to check out Spohr TV. Saying that Heather & Annie's videos make my day every single time is a humongous understatement. SO CUTE. Just look at this awesome Halloween video:



~ I have a bunch of things saved under a "Friday Fragments" tab in my browser on my laptop to share, but I can't get to them right now as the couches are occupied by two sick kids and a passed out husband. Next week I have posts coming continuing my 30 Days of Truth, a followup to my DSLR question post, and a big update on what happened at Sam's eye doctor appointment and our first visit to the GI specialists, both at Children's Hospital in Seattle.

~ Aaaaand... Sam is stirring, and the baby's coughing so I guess I'm done. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Friday Fragments are bits and pieces of your week that are usually brief; too short for a stand-alone post, but too good to discard. Collect humorous observations, "Heard" items, and other small gems and put them together in a Friday Fragments post.

Friday Fragments are the brainchild of Mrs.4444 and you can find more at Half Past Kissin' Time.


~ Have I mentioned lately how much I love Friday Fragments? Even in weeks like this one where I feel behind and like I didn't get things done I wanted to, I get to share my little moments and bits and pieces on Fridays. It's fun!

~ Mrs.4444 shared something last week on her blog that I loved, so I stole it. Here's how to really love a child.

How to Really Love a Child

Be there. Say yes as often as possible. Let
them bang on pots and pans. If they're crabby,
put them in water. If they're unlovable,
love yourself. Realize how important it is to be
a child. Go to a movie theater in your pajamas.
Read books out loud with joy. Invent pleasures
together. Remember how really small they are.
Giggle a lot. Surprise them. Say no when
necessary. Teach feelings. Heal your own
inner child. Learn about parenting. Hug trees
together. Make loving safe. Bake a cake and
eat it with no hands. Go find elephants and
kiss them. Plan to build a rocket ship. Imagine
yourself magic. Make lots of forts with
blankets. Let your angel fly. Reveal your
own dreams. Search out the positive. Keep
the gleam in your eye. Mail letters to God.
Encourage silly. Plant licorice in your garden.
Stop yelling. Express your love. A lot. Speak
kindly. Paint their tennis shoes. Handle with caring.

Children Are Miraculous

Great huh? What would you add to the list?

~ 30 Days of Truth. Heard of it? Lately, it seems like 30 Days of Truth has been popping up everywhere. Adam, Crabby Mommy, Sarah, Faiqa, Britt, and Anastacia (and many others I'm sure) are all doing it. So of course I thought, why not? I don't know if I'll be able to post every day, but it'll be my focus for the next little bit, and of course I'll have to intersperse it with other posts when the spirit hits me. I think maybe it will be more like 60 days, but we'll see. Anyone else in? Here is the list of topics:

Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 → Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

~ I saw The Social Network the other night (it was excellent) and there were some good previews. True Grit looks pretty good, and reminded me that I still want to see The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and 3:10 to Yuma. There was also a preview for Unstoppable and I'm still super excited about that one.

~ Check out this awesome light show.



I'd love to see something like that in person!

~ This week, Sam had a night where he was up really late. At some point in talking to him Justin used the phrase "period" as in 'no more shows, period.' Then at some point he told Sam the option he had chosen was invalid. Somehow in Sam's head this translated to "in Africa." So now when Sam says something he wants to emphasize, he says afterward "Period. In Africa." It's really cute. I'll try to get it on video.

~ I think that's about it for now... I'm already late on this, so I'll just get it up. I haven't been online much in the last couple of days, so I'm catching up on all the awesome things you all have posted this week!

Step Up 3D: Dancing is the Star

Last night I went and saw Step Up 3D. I am a huge fan of So You Think You Can Dance, and when I see a preview for a movie like this, I get excited. Especially when I recognize several of my favorites from the show are in the movie. Dorky, I know, but I can't help it.

So, the plot was hokey. No surprise there. A new college freshman engineering major whose parents want him to stop with "that dancing stuff." His best friend (a girl) who is secretly in love with him. A rag-tag bunch of amazing dancers living in a warehouse. Lines about how family we create is stronger than family we're born to. A financial need to win the biggest dance battle ever. Excitement! Intrigue! Betrayal!

In a movie like this, though, the plot is not the star. The DANCING is the star. And boy, was there dancing. The two most incredible scenes included a battle with a flooded dance floor and a battle with light-up pants, shirts and shoes that looked amazing. Some of the dancers I recognized were Legacy (SYTYCD Season 6), Joshua (SYTYCD Season 4 Winner), Dave Scott (choreographer), and Twitch (SYTYCD Season 4). Twitch is one of my all time SYTYCD favorites, and this season has been on as an all-star. His routine with Alex Wong was one of my favorite ever on the show, you can see it here.

I was surprised to see Alyson Stoner as one of the lead female characters, but pleased. We first saw Alyson when she danced in two of Missy Elliot's videos. See her in Work It starting around 2:30:



And in Gossip Folks starting around 1:12:



She is an awesome dancer, she has also guest starred on some Disney shows and does a regular voice on Phineas and Ferb and has at least one song recorded, if not a whole CD. I am a fan of hers, my only complaint is I wish she had had been featured a little bit more.

Of the rest of the cast, I was ESPECIALLY impressed by twins Martin & Fecundo Lombard. When they danced, I just couldn't take my eyes off them. There are lots of videos of them on YouTube, here's one of them:



I wasn't sure how the 3D would affect the movie experience, but I actually thought it was pretty cool. A lot of times when the dancers were doing handwork their hands and arms would be kind of coming out of the screen. I definitely thought it enhanced the movie somewhat. I absolutely love Jen Yamato's description from her review on Movies.com: "For the most part, Chu's use of 3D is of the immersive kind -- incredible depth of field combined with meticulously choreographed movement that gives one the feeling of being literally on the ground facing the best dancers on earth, about to get served."

I also thought the end credits were really cool, including the bonus of a video J-Smooth, doing something called "Finger Tutting," which is basically dancing with your hands.

All in all, I really enjoyed this movie, and would definitely watch it again in the theater if a friend wanted to go. If you've been a fan of other dance movies, if you like SYTYCD, or if you just enjoy watching really awesome dancing, you should see it. Actually, even if you don't think you're into that, maybe you should see it. You might discover something new and very cool!

I don't think I saw the first 2 movies in the theater, I may not have seen them at all. On my way home in the car after the movie though, I decided that I need to start collecting dance movies. I already have a disaster movie collection, and I've learned over the years that the DVDs I really want to own are ones I'm actually going to watch multiple times. I could watch this kind of movie over and over. I'm going to put some of my other DVDs/DVD box sets up on Swap a DVD so I can bulk up this part of my collection. So far on my list are Save the Last Dance, You Got Served, Step Up, Step Up 2, Footloose, Dirty Dancing, Breakin', and Stomp the Yard. Any other suggestions?

When I walked out of the theater after the movie, I saw a couple of parents with little girls who must have been about 7 years old. They were dancing like robots. Then one of them exclaimed "I LOVE Legacy!" It was adorable, and in the end that might have been even better than the movie itself. Who can really bag on something that might inspire kids to do something they really love?

Amazing Births

Today's birthdaypalooza post is a couple of my very favorite birth videos I watched in the last few months when I was getting ready to make my own. They are absolutely amazing, and I wish that along with the dated, stupid videos they showed in health class in high school they would show some videos like these.

The first is the birth of Malakai. He was born in a hospital, but this hospital is what I feel all hospitals should strive to be. The mother is allowed to give birth in the way she wants to, and after the baby is born she still has all the support of a medical staff and the comfort of knowing they are there for her and her baby.



It would be amazing if the majority of hospitals made this kind of birth available for women.

The second video is of a woman in Australia having her baby. It's not so out of the ordinary until the baby is born and her reaction moves me to tears every time.



The third video is something crazy and amazing. This is a video of a woman having an unplanned home birth. You can read the full story here about how this happened. In a nutshell her labor was only a couple of hours long and when she went to use the toilet before the half hour drive to the hospital, baby had other plans. The most amazing thing to me about this is the calm - it really shows that even in this unexpected situation the mom is FINE. The dad manages to delivery the baby VERY calmly (my husband said he would definitely not stay so cool), and it's beautiful.

Please be aware before watching that this is a GRAPHIC video that shows the baby crowning and being born.

27/50? Not good enough!

Perusing some birth and midwife related websites today, I came across "The Big Push" for Certified Professional Midwives. That's where I found out that CPMs are not legally allowed to practice in 23 states. What the heck? Here's a little bit more about what they do:



I think that midwives are so valuable to pregnant women, and I can't imagine my only choice being a hospital birth. There is so much more out there, and I get tired of this country treating pregnant women like they have some kind of illness. In the majority of healthy pregnancies, there is no need for an OB, a CPM can safely and successfully deliver the baby. In any case, I think this is an organization worth checking out!

LOST: I can't wait!

A Memorable Birthday

29 years ago today, I was born. Here are things I've gotten for my birthday this year: A giant basket, which I fully plan to put my baby in and photograph; a unicorn backpack, a jewelry box, a statue of three monkeys (hear no/see no/speak no evil - Sam picked it out at Goodwill and it's hilarious), and my kid's first day of school.



After he got on the bus, I watched it drive away and I cried. Hey, it's my birthday, I can cry if I want to. I didn't really expect to cry so much, and I can't even explain the reasoning of exactly what I was feeling. I'm not worried about Sam, I know he will LOVE school. There's just something viscerally heart-wrenching about sending your kid off to school for the first time.

Once I got over that (kind of), I realized I will now have 3.5 hours 3 days a week to do... whatever! Today I'm concentrating on laundry in between blogging and relaxing.

This will definitely be a memorable birthday for me. For my birthday, won't you leave a comment and tell me about one of your most memorable birthdays?

Assignment

I haven't thought about this for a while, but head over to YouTube and watch one of my favorite music videos ever, The Devil Went Down to Georgia by Primus. That is all. Hope you had a great weekend while I was slaving away moving all my belongings to the new house!

Shane Nickerson on Twitter

This is hilarious. Thanks to Wil for posting it. NSFW.

F Twitter from Shane Nickerson on Vimeo.

Everything's Amazing, and Nobody's Happy

Thanks to Tom for posting this hilarious video!