Day 21: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is my favorite Christmas song. I love the haunting melody, the minor key, the hope and longing expressed in its words. Last year, my church choir sang a version that I have decided is my absolute favorite. (We're singing it again this year, but I am sadly not going to be there that Sunday.) The only version I could find on YouTube is not good quality, but you can listen to a recording by following this link. Trust me, you won't regret it!

I am so thankful for music and for songs like this that are timeless and theologically rich. I can't wait to teach all of the songs I love to Charlotte.

What is your favorite Christmas song?

Day 13: Messiah

As I've already mentioned, my church's choir is performing selections from Handel's Messiah as our Christmas program this year. I am really thankful for timeless music, and I am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to learn these rich, complex songs. I've had "His Yoke Is Easy" in my head for days, and so I'm sharing it here. It's lovely. Also, I'm glad I'm not a soprano. Mercy, there are some high notes in this music! :)

Friday Five: Favorite Running Tunes

I love listening to music when I run, and having my cute little Sansa Clip Zip makes it even better because I hardly notice I'm using an mp3 player (I really should write a review of this product. Maybe I will!). Anyway, it's easy to get tired of hearing the same old songs every time I run, so I try and change up the music once a month or so. Here are 5 of my current favorite running songs, in no particular order because I can't rank them by how much I love them. The links will take you to YouTube videos of each song.

1.   "Princess of China" by Coldplay. For some reason I am OBSESSED with this song. I play it about 3 or 4 times a day, which means it inevitably gets stuck in my head. There's no deep meaning or anything; it's just a fun little ditty.

2.  "God is Enough" by Lecrae. Lecrae is a Christian hip hop artist, and he is the bomb diggity, yo. (I am so white.) I also listen to this song obsessively.  It's an awesome running song. Go listen to it. You won't be sorry!

3.  "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall" by Coldplay. I know, another Coldplay song, but I just bought their Mylo Xyloto album recently because Amazon had it on sale for $0.25! Best quarter I ever spent. ("I shut the world outside until the lights come on/Maybe the streets alight, maybe the trees are gone/I feel my heart start beating to my favorite song.")

4.  "Set Fire to the Rain" by Adele. I love me some Adele, and this is my favorite Adele song. I think my good bloggy friend Andrea really likes this one, too. (Hi, Andrea!) I don't really know what this song means (besides the typical angsty Adele my-life-was-ruined-by-a-boy stuff), but I would love to know how one goes about setting the rain on fire. That would be awesome.

5.  "Start Over" by The Afters. The lyrics in this song are so great and encouraging, especially when trying to push through a workout. ("The impossible is possible/But your fear is so responsible/for keeping you down,/keeping you down...You only fail/If you never try/You'll never live/Tryin' not to die.")

Now I must know: what are YOUR favorite workout songs? I'm always looking for new music!

Friday Five: Charlotte's Favorite Songs

Well, my intentions of posting every day this week did not become reality. Blogging time just gets away from me! But I did want to take a moment to write about Charlotte's love of music. She's loved music from early on, and it cracked us up the first time she "danced" to a song. She likes to bob up and down and also move her hips side to side, and it is pretty much the cutest thing ever. It's so interesting to me that dancing in that regard is instinctive because we didn't teach her that; her body just heard the music and responded. She's had a her share of songs she's liked, so here are her top favorites, some current, some from her younger day (as if she's so old now!)

1. "Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee." I think this is her current favorite. We have a DVD of kids' songs, and she just grins hugely when this one comes on, and she will do her signature dance moves. She also is learning the motions because she is a genius.

2. "The Ants Go Marching." She used to REALLY love this one, and it was the one way we could get her to smile for a picture when she otherwise wouldn't. It was also great for distracting her while we changed her diaper.

3. "Hush Little Baby." This was the first song we noticed Charlotte respond to. I used to sing it to her, and if she was fussing sometime she actually would go silent and listen to me. It also helped her go to sleep. I still sing it to her sometimes if she's upset.

4. "Scrub-a-dub dub." What's that? You don't know this song? Well, that's because I made it up. I frequently make up little songs for Charlotte, and this is one that stuck. I sing it to her every time I give her a bath, and she'll grin and sometimes clap when I sing it (because my voice is amazing). The lyrics are deep, so prepare yourselves:

Scrub-a-dub dub, Charlotte's in the tub,
Getting herself all clean.
So we scrub and we scrub in the tubby tub tub,
'Til she's finally squeaky clean.

I'm expecting a Grammy any day now. :)

5.  "The Numbers 6 Song." This is also an Erin original, and it's based on the blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" Isn't that beautiful? I often sing this to Charlotte as I put her to bed at night. I like to think it helps calm her. 

What are your favorite children's songs?  

Friday Five: Favorite Classic Christmas Songs (Updated)

I realized as I was getting ready to post this that I'd already done this very topic back in 2009! However, I think I would change the list a little bit now. Here are my current favorite Christmas classics:

1.  "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."  Still my favorite, and SCC's version is still my favorite.

2.  "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." I just started to fully appreciate the words of this song this year. I love Bethany Dillon's version of this song. It has a jazzy flair.

3.  "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." Still love MercyMe's version of this one, but Casting Crowns has a nice interpretation as well.

4.  "O Holy Night."

5.  "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."


What are your favorite Christmas classics?

Friday Five: Running Songs

Good music makes exercise so much more enjoyable, so I give you my list of favorite running songs.

1. "Control" by MuteMath. This song always gets me fired up.
2. "Just a Girl" by No Doubt. I can't help it, I love this song.
3. "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve. I love this song because it's LONG and helps pass the time and helps me get into a good running groove. It's usually one of the first songs I play.
4. "No Line on the Horizon" by U2. This is one of the songs from their newest album, and it has a great driving rhythm that is perfect for running.
5. "Classical Gas" by Mason Williams. This probably doesn't seem like a top choice for a running song since it's instrumental, but it always cheers me when I am running, and the rhythm really does work well for running. There are certain parts of the song that always motivate me to speed up and keep going.


Honorable mentions: "Clocks" by Coldplay, "Futures" by Jimmy Eat World, and "Mother We Just Can't Get Enough" by The New Radicals

What are some of your favorites? I'm always looking for new songs, so please offer your suggestions as well!

Thursday Tune, Vol. 3

My last Thursday Tune was in April, but we won't dwell on that. Dwell instead on this humorous song called "Title of the Song," which is a brilliant parody of every boy band song ever written. I tried to find a live version because I bet it would be even better to see the movements being alluded to in the song, but to no avail. The song itself will have to suffice.

A Thurday Tune, Vol. 2

Today's song is from one of my favorite Christian singer/songwriters, Brooke Fraser. I first discovered Brooke via The Secret Life of Kat, and I was immediately hooked. Her voice is lovely, for one, and she also happens to write some of the most heartfelt and provocative lyrics. The song I chose to share with you is called "Hosea's Wife," and it hit me in the gut when I took time to see what the lyrics really say. You can find the lyrics below the video.



Hosea's Wife by Brooke Fraser

I just spoke silence with the seeker next to me
She had a heart with hesitant, halting speech
That turned to mine and asked belligerently
What do I live for

I see the scars of searches everywhere I go
From hearts to wars to literature to radio
There's a question like a shame no one will show
What do I live for

We are Hosea's wife
We are squandering this life
Using people like ladders and words like knives

[Chorus]
If we've eyes to see
If we've ears to hear
To find it in our hearts and mouths the word that saves is near
Shed that shallow skin
Come and live again
Leave all you were before
To believe is to begin

There is truth in little corners of our lives
There are hints of it in songs and children's eyes
It's familiar, like an ancient lullaby
What do I live for

We are Hosea's wife
We are squandering this life
Using bodies like money and truth like lies

If we've eyes to see
If we've ears to hear
To find it in our hearts and mouths the word that saves is near
Shed that shallow skin
Come and live again
Leave all you were before
To believe is to begin

We are more than dust
That means somethin'
That means somethin'
We are more than just
Blood and emotions
Inklings and notions
Atoms on oceans

We are Hosea's wife
We are squandering this life
Using people like ladders and words like knives

If we've eyes to see
If we've ears to hear
To find it in our hearts and mouths the word that saves is near
Shed that shallow skin
Come and live again
Leave all you were before
To believe is to begin...

A Thursday Tune

Stephen is great about finding new artists, and his latest find is one that I have fallen in love with. Meet Jon Troast, who is currently doing a tour of 100 concerts in 100 days, held in people's living rooms. Gotta love that. The video below is Jon performing "The Most," a song I have come to love, in someone's living room. Enjoy!



What are some tunes you are loving right now?

Music Monday: The Christmas Edition

I wanted to share a few of my favorite Christmas songs with you, some new, some old, some traditional, some not so much.

The first one is a funny, whimsical song called "Toy Packaging," and it's sung by Sara Groves, one of my favorite Christian artists. It has no deep meaning, but the message is definitely one many will relate to. :) (I think it plays automatically, but I'm not smart enough to figure out to make it not do that, so my apologies.)

Watch Video:

Toy Packaging (Sara Groves)

Video Code provided by MusicRemedy.Com

The next song is one of my favorite traditional Christmas songs, "O Come O Come, Emmanuel." I love the haunting nature of the melody and the beauty of the verses. The version I've chosen is sung by Steven Curtis Chapman because his arrangement of this song is one of my favorites.



The last is one I've fallen in love with over the past week or so, and I've driven Stephen crazy by singing to him the only part I know. The song is called "A Baby Changes Everything," and it's on Faith Hill's newest Christmas album, Joy to the World. I don't own anything else by Faith Hill, but I own this song and the whole album. I really love it.



Merry Christmas! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Music Monday: The Soundtracks of My Life

It happens a lot: a song will come on my iPod or on the radio, and immediately I am transported back in time, to a memory or experience from my past. Songs have such emotional resonances with me, and some songs and albums in particular became the "soundtracks" of my life at that time. I thought I'd take part in Kat's Music Monday by making a list of some of these nostalgia-inducing albums, in reverse-chronological order.

1. Imagination by Bethany Dillon. I got this album my first semester in grad school, and I played it constantly. That first semester, as longtime readers of my blog know, was wretched. I was weepy, stressed, and insecure. I considered dropping out. But when I would play this album, I found a respite from that stress and worry. Instead I rested in the knowledge that Jesus would bring me through this. Standout songs for me: "Be Near Me," "Hallelujah," and "My Love Hasn't Grown Cold" (I think I played that particular song over and over and over).

2. All Things New by Watermark. This was the soundtrack of my first year of college. A friend introduced me to the dulcet-toned Christy Nockels, and I was hooked. The lyrics on this album just blew me away; I remember driving in my car with the windows down and just singing along: "Because of who You are, and who I am in You, You make all things new." Such beauty and power and scriptural truth! Other standouts: "Incorruptible," "Where to Find Me," and "You Are My Stronghold."

3. Wide Eyed by Nichole Nordeman. I first heard Nichole Nordeman's song "To Know You" on the radio during the end of my junior year in high school, and I remember wondering who this woman was and wanting to hear more. I looked up the song online and found the CD, and I instantly became a fan of Nichole, whose honest, gripping, and raw lyrics continue to draw me. If only she would release a new album!!

4. "The Great Adventure" by Steven Curtis Chapman. The very first "Christian" song I ever heard is "The Great Adventure." It would come on the radio, and my mom and I would instantly sing along. I was in middle school when I first "discovered" SCC, and I became a fan in every sense of the word. When I got to go to his Heaven in the Real World concert, I was elated and danced and clapped the whole time, even though our seats were so far away that Steven was just a speck in the distance, and even though my brother was completely mortified by my behavior. (Now, I probably would be mortified by my behavior.) I've seen him more times in concert (5) than any other artist. Such was my obsession with SCC that I used to refer to him as "my husband." Yes, I knew he was married. Yes, I did not care. Yes, I am insane. I don't think I have followed any musician's career longer than I have SCC's; I own all of his albums, going back to his very first release, and while I don't love him with the same youthful fervor, his music will forever hold a place in my heart. (As an aside, you can read updates on the Chapman family as they recover from the tragedy that befell them in May by going here.) His song "Maria" took on a new meaning when he adopted a little girl from China of the same, and that meaning is even deeper in light of their loss.

5. Heart in Motion by Amy Grant. I found Amy Grant's music around the same time as SCC's, and the Heart in Motion tape (haha) got heavy play on my tape player. I loved her voice, loved singing to her songs, and spent countless hours pretending I was her, giving concerts to adoring fans. (I dream big.) Standouts: "That's What Love is For," "Galileo" (I think I had to look up Galileo, and I didn't really understand this song, but I played it a LOT.), "I Will Remember You," and "Hope Set High."

Which songs/albums would be on your soundtrack?

Music that Gets Me Movin'

I exercise a lot. I love music. It's only natural that the two go hand-in-hand. I must have good music to accompany my exercise (unless I'm using one of my fitness DVDs). I pick songs that are upbeat because my body usually follows the tempo set by the music. The songs may not all be incredibly inspiring or deep, but they keep me going. Here's a list of some of my favorite workout songs, with links to some of their home pages (you'll have to hover over the name to see the link):

1. "Gonna Fly Now (The Rocky Theme)" from the originaly Rocky soundtrack. When I first began my lifestyle change, I listened to this song every day at the beginning of my workout. As cheesy as this may be, hearing that song really gets me motivated and excited about working out. Being motivated was crucial when I was first beginning because I HATED exercising, and this song just gets me pumped.

2. "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson. Despite the fact this song is guilty of the cutesy spelling I abhor, it's so great for exercise because of its rhythm. I also listen to Kelly's song "Never Again" quite often. I guess the angst works for me.

3. "The More" by Downhere. I love the lyrics of this song: "The more You show me, the more You grow me / The more Your glory becomes all there is / And the more I know You, the more I need You / The more I love You, the more You become to me. Upbeat and thought-provoking all in one song! Also, the group is offering on their website FREE downloads of their entire album, Wide-Eyed and Mystified!
4. "Shiver" by Coldplay. I've always loved this song, and it fits right in with my workout. "Clocks" is another Coldplay song I often listen to while working out (and I walked down to it at our wedding!).

5. "Hypocrisy #785" by Jeremy Casella. Jeremy Casella is an artist I've just been listening to for a few months, and I really love his songs. This one in particular has a great message along with a beat that helps me maintain my pace.

6. "Pocketful of Sunshine" by Natasha Bedingfield. This song just makes me happy.

7. "Typical" by Mute Math. Mute Math is one of my favorite bands, and this song's driving rhythm is perfect for exercise. Click on the link to their website, and you'll see a YouTube video of them performing the song, and it's an awesome video because it looks like everything is going backwards. Watch it. It's amazing.

8. "Control" by Mute Math. This song is also a great workout song, and it contains one of my favorite song lyrics: "There is no better loss than to lose myself in you." Love it!

9. "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" by Jet. From the first few beats, this song hooks me.

10. "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson. Such a fun song. I never get tired of it.

Others: "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" (KT Tunstall); "Work" (Jars of Clay); "Revolution" (Grey Holiday); "Move Along" (All-American Rejects); "Beautiful Love" (The Afters)

What gets you moving?

P.S. I've lost 26 pounds!! Woohoo!

Such a Beautiful Surrender: Song Showcase

This week's song showcase features one of my favorite bands of the moment, Mute Math (MySpace; website). The song is called "Control," and it features some great music matched with great lyrics (that's pretty much the extent of my musical critiquing abilities). Enjoy!(the video I picked is basically just the song playing with a shot of the album cover)



The lyrics:

Take control of the atmosphere
Take me far away from here
There is no better loss than to lose myself in you
In a parachute to glide, I am captive in your sky
Surrender has somehow become so beautiful

Take control of the atmosphere
Take control of the atmosphere
You can take my world you can fill the air
Take control, take control

It's such a beautiful surrender
It's such a beautiful surrender
It's such a beautiful surrender
It's such a beautiful surrender

Move me up through the darkest clouds
Till I've lost in the sun every shadow of doubt
There is no better find than to find myself with you
In a fog you are all I see
I'm inviting you closer with each time I breathe
Surrender has somehow become so beautiful

Take control of the atmosphere
Take control of the atmosphere
There is no reason I should breathe unless you're in the air
Take control

Its such a beautiful surrender
Its such a beautiful surrender
And I'm calling out
would you take control
And I'm calling out

P.S. Don't forget to visit Saturday's post and answer my questions!

Song Showcase

I thought I would try to start posting some of my current favorite songs every once in a while, so here is my first one: "Love Will Come Through" by Travis. The video is a little weird, but then I tend to think that about a lot of music videos, so maybe it's just me.

Title of the Song

Title of the Song

I don't know if any of you are familiar with the song "The Title of the Song" by Davinci's Notebook but if you aren't, allow me to enlighten you. It is a clever song about song-writing, otherwise known as a meta song (I know there's meta poetry and meta fiction, so perhaps there's meta song as well). Basically, the lyrics are a formula for how to write the standard, typical love song, and here is how it goes:

Declaration of my feelings for you
Elaboration on those feelings
Description of how long these feelings have existed
Belief that no one else could feel the same as I
Reminiscence of the pleasant times we shared
And our relationship's perfection
Recounting of the steps that led to our love's dissolution
Mostly involving my unfaithfulness and lies
Penitent admission of wrongdoing
Discovery of the depth of my affection
Regret over the lateness of my epiphany

(Chorus)
Title of the song
Naïve expression of love
Reluctance to accept that you are gone
Request to turn back time
And rectify my wrongs
Repetition of the title of the song

Enumeration of my various transgressive actions
Of insufficient motivation
Realization that these actions led to your departure
And my resultant lack of sleep and appetite
Renunciation of my past insensitive behavior
Promise of my reformation
Reassurance that you still are foremost in my thoughts now
Need for instructions how to gain your trust again
Request for reconciliation
Listing of the numerous tasks that I'd perform
Of physical and emotional compensation

CHORUS

Acknowledgment that I acted foolishly
Increasingly desperate pleas for your return
Sorrow for my infidelity
Vain hope that my sins are forgivable
Appeal for one more opportunity
Drop to my knees to elicit crowd response
Prayers to my chosen deity
Modulation and I hold a high note...
CHORUS

Always Do Your Research

I went to the Ben Folds concert last night, and I have to say, I'm no longer a fan. I knew a handful of his songs, and apparently the ones I knew were the only ones not laden with profanity. I can handle the occasional word here and there, but every other word? To me that's when it starts becoming unnecessary and superfluous. And his bass guitarist did one song where pretty much the only lyrics were "F--- you." Lovely display of lyrical creativity. Let this be a lesson to me not to go to a concert without knowing what to expect. At least it was free.

I have a paper due Monday, and it does not want to be written. It's floating around in my head, refusing to be tied down and typed into being. Incorrigible words! When I have writer's block, I clean. So I cleaned my room, vacuumed the apartment, and cleaned the bathroom. It's nice that everything's clean, but still no paper. I'm convinced more every day that getting my PhD would only be my undoing.

UPN and the WB are merging into one company. I'm cool with that as long as they don't mess with my Girls. I'm just sayin'.

And because I don't have anything else to say, I'm going to steal this from Mary:

Open iTunes to answer the following. Go to your library. Answer, no matter how embarrasing it is.

How many songs? 1079

Sort by song title--
Top: "40" by U2
Bottom: "Your Grace is Sufficient" by Shane and Shane

Sort by time--
Shortest Song: "Repeat/Return or When the Seventh Angel Sounded His Trumpet...(this is the world's longest song title so I'm not putting the whole thing on here) by David Crowder* Band, :10. (Does anyone know the reason for the *? I don't think it used to be there.)
Longest Song: "Wait for Your Rain" by Todd Agnew, 15:07. (The longest thing on the list is actually a Harry Potter podcast that lasts 1:23:44, but since it's not a song I'm not counting it.)

Sort by album--
First Song: "Maybe Tomorrow" by Nouveaux, from the album ...And This is How I Feel.
Last Song: "I Will Come to You" by Hanson (I know, I know. But it's on a mix CD my friend Lindsay made me, and I don't have the album title. Stop laughing!)

Top Five Most Played Songs:
1. "These Hazel Eyes" by Kelly Clarkson
2. "The Innocent's Corner" by Caedmon's Call (I didn't think I listened to this song that much, especially not compared to some other Caedmon songs, but I guess I was wrong.)
3. "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson (There were seriously about two weeks when this album was all I listened to. I have a sickness.)
4. "River God" by Nichole Nordeman
5. "Why" by Bethany Dillon

Most repeated artist on your entire Most Played list: Bethany Dillon, with 7 songs (I added this category myself)

First song that comes up on Shuffle:
"She Has No Time" by Keane

Second song that comes up on Shuffle:
"Only Hope" by Caedmon's Call

Third song that comes up on Shuffle:
"Per Te" by Josh Groban (man he makes me swoon)

I got my Greenwood CD in the mail today, and I can't stop listening to it! For those of you who don't know who Greenwood is, they're a group of guys who started playing together at Union. I remember going to hear them when they were fairly new, and they've just gotten better and better over the years. You can find their website here, and you can hear songs from their new album on their myspace page. Definitely give them a listen; they've got a really unique rock sound that utilizes the violin wonderfully, plus great lyrics. If you want to order their CD, visit their listing on Amazon.com. It's only $10, and it's worth every penny! /End plug. (You guys know I don't plug music unless it's good, so trust me on this.)

The Year's Best Music

Since the end of the year is fast approaching, I thought I'd make a list of my personal favorite albums of 2005.  All of these were released this year, and even though there are many more that I could list, these are the cream of the crop, in my opinion.  Obviously, since they're my favorites I think you all should own each of them.  (And by "own" I mean "purchase with money," not "download for free".)  In case you want to download some individual songs on iTunes or a comparable service, I've taken the liberty of listing my favorite songs from each of the albums to get you started.  Here they are, beginning with my favorite of the year:

1.  Bethany Dillon, Imagination: I can't get enough of Bethany Dillon.  She's quickly becoming my favorite artist.  I can listen to this whole CD straight through and then start all over again and not even mind.  Personal favorites: "Hallelujah," "My Love Hasn't Grown Cold," and "Be Near Me."
2.  Nichole Nordeman, Brave:  Nichole's one of my heroes: she's a fabulous singer who writes with passion, conviction, and honesty.  My personal favorites from the album: "Lay It Down," "Brave," and "Hold On."
3.  Jason Mraz, Mr. A-Z:  He's just such a witty songwriter, and all of his songs are so different.  Personal favorites: "Life is Wonderful" (probably one of my favorite songs EVER), "Geek in the Pink," and "Song for a Friend."
4.  Coldplay, X&Y: While not my favorite Coldplay album (I think the second one will always be my favorite), this one is still praiseworthy, if not all that groundbreaking.  Personal favorites: "Fix You," "What If?" and "Swallowed in the Sea."
5.  David Crowder Band, A Collision:  DCB is so innovative, so fresh, and so fun.  I just love this CD.  Personal favorites:  "Here is our King," "Foreverandever etc." and "Beautiful Collision."
6.  Switchfoot, Nothing is Sound:  Another album I can listen to straight through and then start it again.  Personal favorites: "Lonely Nation," "The Shadow Proves the Sunshine," and "The Blues."
7.  The Afters, I Wish We All Could Win:  This new group has a tight, polished sound and excellent lyrics.  I hope they continue making a name for themselves.  Personal favorites: "Beautiful Love," "Someday," and "Wait."
8.  Jack Johnson, In Between Dreams:  This was my intro to Jack Johnson, and I must say, I love him.  He's great for mellow, rainy afternoons or just about any other time.  Personal favorites:  "Banana Pancakes, "Better Together," and "Sitting Waiting Wishing."
9.  Lifehouse, Lifehouse:  Seeing Lifehouse live only increased my appreciation for them.  Personal favorites: "Blind" (the music video interprets the song in a way I hadn't even considered), "You and Me," and "Undone."
10.  Todd Agnew, Reflection of Something:  I have to say that this isn't my favorite album of Agnew's, but it has some of my favorite songs on it, so it makes the cut.  Personal favorites:  "My Jesus" (these lyrics are incredible), "Isaiah 6," and "Something Beautiful."

What are your favorites?

Hello friends! I'm writing you from this completely deserted but totally cool cafe with wireless internet. Diana and I were both suffering internet withdrawals, so we had to make a stop. :) And let me just tell you all how incredibly amazing the Jason Mraz concert was. That boy is so talented. If any of you are even remotely fond of Jason Mraz, you simply must see him in concert. Sometimes live perfomrances are risky because not all artists are good live performers or they are really boring because they don't know how to be entertaining, but Jason Mraz is both a good performer and a good entertainer. Actually, he's the BEST. He didn't even sing my favorite songs ("Life is Wonderful," "Absolutely Zero," or "Plane"), but he did all of the songs he did sing so well that it was hard to get upset about it. He is just the goofiest, funniest, cutest, bestest singer. I could go on and on all day. (And for those of you who know his newest album, he sang "Mr. Curiosity," and his little operatic performance at the end of that song is even better than on the CD. He just kept going and going, and I was just a-swoonin'.) So yeah, all of you should be sad you missed it. I'm sad it is over. I would go see him again tomorrow if I could.

Narnia was good, but I feel like it should have its own post, so you'll just have to wait to hear my review. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, peeps!