Album meme (expanded version)

So, I did the facebook “10 album” meme that’s been going around, but I had some additional thoughts. And I thought, “Oh yeah, I have a blog! So here goes.

First, a repost of the 10 (okay, 11) I posted to facebook, covering roughly the years 1987-1993.

True Blue–Madonna

Licensed to Ill–Beastie Boys (Yeah, I know the many ways this album is, uh, problematic. I also know it’s not the best Beastie Boys album. But I was 13, and I listened to it A LOT.)

Batman Soundtrack–Prince Well, y’know, Prince. 

Faith–George Michael

Appetite for Destruction–Guns ‘n Roses

New Jersey–Bon Jovi I loved Bon Jovi so, so much, you guys.

Hysteria–Def Leppard

Rhythm Nation 1814–Janet Jackson

Blacks’ Magic–Salt n Pepa

River of Dreams–Billy Joel

Bat Out of Hell–Meatloaf This obviously did not come out while I was a teenager, but my high school years were when I got into it. Also, It’s a miracle that it took me so long to figure out that the man responsible for these songs also wrote “Making Love (Out of Nothing at All)” and “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”

My taste in music could best be described as “mainstream.” 🙂

Here are some albums that were important to me earlier in life:

Annie–Original Broadway recording When the movie version of Annie came out, I had been listening to this album for a couple of years. I was kind of a tiny hipster, annoyed by how different it was. The songs that were left out. The songs that were created/added. I still prefer this version. Oh, and as a side note, we’ve been re-watching 30 Rock, and it tickles me how much Tina Fey (or someone in the writers’ room) loves Annie. The songs come up rather frequently.

Grease soundtrack (movie)

Just Sylvia–Sylvia My mom had this album, and I was obsessed with the song “Nobody.” I would pretend that I was going to sing it on a gameshow. (which I think might have been the 80s version of The Gong Show?)

*honorable mention: “Eye in the Sky”–Alan Parsons Project…it doesn’t get a full spot because I only bought the 45, but it was the first music I purchased with my own money*

Air Supply–Greatest Hits  I had originally stayed away from including greatest hits collections, but this one was a huge part of my childhood. My mom had it on cassette…in my memory, it was a copy, and it had Bonnie Tyler on the other side.

The Other Side of Life–The Moody Blues My dad was a huge fan of The Moody Blues, and I remember listening to many of their albums on cassette, in the car. I know not everyone is a fan of this record, but I liked it quite a bit (and was kind of obsessed with the single, “Your Wildest Dreams.”)

Hi Infidelity–REO Speedwagon I really, really liked this album when I was 9. In fact, I got in trouble for bringing it to school once, due to the risque cover.

She’s So Unusual–Cyndi Lauper

Hangin’ Tough–New Kids on the Block I went on a trip to the beach with my friend Heather and her family the summer I turned 14. We had a tape that had Hangin’ Tough on one side, and Appetite for Destruction on the other. It’s really kind of hilarious.

Dirty Dancing soundtrack So, who else can sing the Kellerman’s anthem?

And a few later (college/after college) offerings:

Pop! (The First Twenty Hits)–Erasure This is just one of the greatest hits albums that was a very big thing for me when I was first building my CD collection–which didn’t happen for me until early college. Billy Joel. Journey. Styx. Queen. REO Speedwagon. etc.

Jesus Christ Superstar–Original London recording

Les Miserables–complete symphonic recording

I never would have discovered my love for these musicals if it hadn’t been for my roomie/bestie Jen…

Jagged Little Pill–Alanis Morrissette I admit, I wasn’t on board the Alanis train right away. I was, in fact, kind of put off by the aggression and what, at the time, I felt was vulgarity of “You Oughta Know.”  Then, I don’t know, a year or so later, I went through a bitter breakup and was all “AND I’M HEEEEEEERE TO REMIIIIIIND YOU…”

Shakespeare My Butt–Lowest of the Low This is the quintessential album for surviving your 20s. It’s about being broke, getting fired, falling in love, breaking up, and trying to figure out your place in the world.

All about me (AV edition)

As seen on the blog of miss_shortskirt:

I think the best shows on TV right now are

Lost
How I Met Your Mother
Chuck

I think the best show(s) NOT on TV is (are)

The West Wing
Arrested Development

Shows I think I would like but haven’t watched yet are

Castle
Dollhouse

The show I am most anticipating is

Glee (oh, yes! me too!)

My go-to movies for repeat viewings are

When Harry Met Sally
Say Anything
The Princess Bride

I will watch any movie starring

Paul Rudd

I will listen to any CD by

Um…Ookla the Mok? (hee)
Carbon Leaf
Great Big Sea
Hawksley Workman
Ron Hawkins

My favorite musical soundtracks are

Rent
Les Miserables
Jesus Christ Superstar

My favorite Beatles song

Let it Be
or Come Together

My favorite Regina Spektor song

(Sorry, I don’t know who that is)

My favorite Weezer song

Uh….Buddy Holly? I’m actually not all that intimate with Weezer.

*ETA* Just realized that “Island in the Sun” comes up in my Pandora station all the time. I <3 that song.

My favorite Simon and Garfunkel song

Kathy’s Song

My favorite Britney Spears song

Sorry, got nothin’ here

My favorite movie soundtracks

Garden State
Juno
Moulin Rouge
**can’t really argue with those, but I will add:
Once
and also, Walk Hard (the Dewey Cox Story)

My favorite Disney movie

HOW CAN I POSSIBLY CHOOSE?
Um.
The Little Mermaid.
No, The Lion King.
No, Beauty and the Beast.
No, Aladdin.
Definitely one of those. 😉

My favorite song from a Disney Movie

Friend Like Me
or Kiss the Girl
or Under the Sea

My favorite songs at this exact moment are

Pregnant Women are Smug
The Future Soon
Cold, Cold Heart
Short Skirt, Long Jacket

How well do you know me-answers

Yes, this is the quiz that’s been making its way around facebook. I’m amused by it. If you’re not, feel free to move along. 😉

Click here to take it on facebook (if you’re my friend there), or just see below the break for the answers!

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How well do you know me?

Yes, this is the quiz that’s been making its way around facebook. I’m amused by it. If you’re not, feel free to move along. 😉

Click here to take it on facebook (if you’re my friend there), or see below the break. I’ll post the answers (with commentary) in the next couple of days.

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Tagged!

Linda tagged me on this one.

Make a list of things you can see without getting up: the TV, the Wii I just bought (still in box) , lots of books and DVDs, Rand, the dinner dishes.

What were you like when you were five? Shy.

What are you wearing now? blue sweatpants, a cream mock turtleneck, slippers and my robe.

What story/book/novel have you read over and over again in your life? A Wrinkle in Time

What’s the last thing you read/are currently reading? An ARC of Ally Carter’s Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover, Garth Ennis’ Hitman

Do you nap a lot? Occasionally.

Who was the last person you hugged? Rand

What’s your current fandom/obsession/addiction? Lost

What was the last thing you ate today?Half a clementine

What was the last thing you said aloud? Why does he merit an article?

What websites do you always visit when you go online? Facebook, Google Reader, Twitter

What was the last thing you bought? a Wii

What are you listening to right now? commercials

If you could have any super power, what would it be? Telekinesis

What is your favorite weather, and why? Sunny and warm, but not too hot or humid.

What time do you usually get up? Around 6:20 am on the weekdays

What is your most challenging goal right now? Being a better teacher

Say something to the person who tagged you: Linda, I’ve so enjoyed being your “wedding buddy” and getting to know you through our blogs!

If you could have a house–totally paid for, fully furnished–anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? I’d like to have a beach house somewhere…not to live in year-round, but for vacations.

Favorite vacation spot? Uh…Vermont was nice. I also like beaches. I guess I don’t really have a favorite.

What is your favorite children’s book? I’ll say The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, just to have a different answer from the one above.

Name one thing you just can’t resist no matter how bad it is for you: Cupcakes

If you could meet anyone famous – dead or alive – who would it be? Shakespeare

What was your first job? Babysitting. Or working at the public library.

What’s the last movie you saw? Silver Streak, via Netflix

TAGGED: Samantha, Eden, Emma, Stephanie, Julia, Caren, Jessica, and Amanda

(I won’t be offended if you don’t want to do it, really.)

THE RULES:
Step 1: respond and rework—answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.
Step 2: tag—eight other un-tagged people will be tagged.

Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it

Jen tagged me. I was at work when I saw the post. I took this with my phone.

photo meme
Rules

  1. Take a picture of yourself.. riiiiiight.. NOW!
  2. DO NOT change your clothes. DO NOT fix your hair.. Just take a picture.
  3. Post that picture with NO editing.
  4. Post these instructions with your picture.
  5. Tag 10 people to do this!

Ten? Really?

Hrm…

Okay. Jessica, Nicole, Linda, Caoimhe, Kelly, Julie Anne and, oh heck, whoever wants to play. Just leave me a comment if you do. 🙂

100% Pittsburgh

You are 100% Pittsburgh

Great job! There’s nooooo doubt about it. You’re from Da Burgh. You deserve a reward, so go have an Ahrn City or two. And GO STILLERS!

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Although, the fact that I understand Pittsuburghese doesn’t necessarily mean I *speak* Pittsburghese. 😉

(I do, though, catch myself doing the whole “The grass needs cut” thing…)

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