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Alone Again… Naturally

Bah ha ha ha ha!!  I had to do it.  I think, additionally, what I really need to do is find the video of that song.  Used to laugh… used to cry… used to sit around and wonder why… uh, no wait.  That’s something else.  I’m getting my 70′s tunes mixed up.  Alas… being nearly 45 has it’s disadvantages, but also it’s advantages.

I was just chatting with someone about the aches and pains that come with getting older.  My contention though is that yes, there are aches and pains, but the good parts about getting older are worth the occasional inconvenience of having an older machine.  What, pray tell, do I mean?  Well… what I mean is that as a person gets older they know themselves better, usually like themselves better, and are more of who they are… at home, out in the world, etc.  We become more of ourselves and more comfortable with who that is.  So I will take the stiff ankles (thanks to the racquetball injuries of my youth) because they come with a better me.

So what is all this alone again naturally stuff?  No, Karen and I have not had some bad break up (not gonna happen folks… ever).  No, what I mean is that I am the only PO in the office today.  Everyone else is at a training.  Apparently, according to my boss, I’m un-trainable.  Can’t be trained.  I accept this.  Actually, I think I have it better than they do.  It’s so quiet and peaceful around here.  Music, birds outside, great view, good book to read during lunch… I can’t complain.  I did go around this morning and take a photo of myself sitting at each of their desks.  After the round of photos I sent them each a text including the photo I took in their office and told them I had them covered.  Pretty funny.  Funny to me at least.  I obviously have no trouble entertaining myself.

And now, that song… Alone Again, Naturally  I couldn’t get the code to embed it, but if you follow the link you’ll get a little treat from 1972.  Enjoy!

The other song, I just looked up the lyrics, is I Need You by America. Here’s the video for that one… Gotta love America.

23 Movies With Music and 3 Musicals

Music sometimes makes a scene, or a movie for that matter. Here’s a selection of tunes used in films that had an impact on me. By no means a comprehensive list, but a few who sprung to mind when I thought of doing this post. Enjoy and feel free to add your own in the comments section. Always looking for new music, new films to see, or reminders of films and music I’d forgotten about.

Let the River Run     – Carly Simon – Working Girl

A nice little fable of a film. The song, at the end, sort of sums it up and lends itself to that feel good feeling.

Band of Brothers Requim – Band of Brothers

Beautiful piece of music and a fantastic mini series. If you haven’t seen it… do so. You may cry a lot, I did, but it’s amazing.

Have a Little Faith in Me – John Hiatt – Benny and Joon

I fell in love with this song after hearing it in this movie. A little fable of a film. This film just works.

Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon – Urge Overkill – Pulp Fiction

Tarantino knows how to use music in his films. This scene is just plain riveting. And the music in it is perfect for it.

Come What May – Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman – Moulan Rouge

I had no idea these two could sing, and sing so well. Besides which, this is a lovely lovely song.

Cell Block Tango – Various – Chicago

Fun fun. Listen to this a couple of times and you’ll find yourself singing along.

She’s Like The Wind – Patrick Swayze from Dirty Dancing

Patrick Swayze singing. Who doesn’t love that? Or love this movie for that matter. No one puts baby in a corner.

I Am Changing – Jennifer Hudson – Dreamgirls

Jennifer Hudson’s defining movie moment.

Long Ride Home – Patty Griffin – Elizabethtown

One of my favorite songs which was used really well in this movie.

Falling Slowly – Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova – Once

A fantastic little film with some awesome music. If you have never seen this, or heard the soundtrack, or listened to the Frames, check some or all of that out. The two from this movie now have their own band called The Swell Season.

Vianne Sets Up Shop – Chocolat

This music just simply makes me happy.

Cruisin’ – Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis – Duets

Who knew Gwyneth could sing this well. Wow.

You’re The One That I Want – John Travolta and Olivia Newton John – Grease

No list is really complete without this. If you are a person of my age, give or take 10 years either way, you know and at least secretly, if not down right openly, love this song and this scene.

Back Where You Belong – Sinead O’Conner – The Water Horse

Just a really gorgeous song.

You Sexy Thing – Hot Chocolate – The Full Monty

Who doesn’t love rough burly guys dancing… I ask you.

All I Want Is You – U2 – Reality Bites

This song sort of sums up this entire movie.

Stuck In The Middle With You – Steeler’s Wheel – Reservoir Dogs

Ear cutting off scene so beware…. Tarantino knows how to use music in his films.

Goodbye Horses – Q Lazzarus – The Silence of the Lambs

R Rated, for those who care. I’d advise not watching if you do.

In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel – Say Anything

Iconic image from film this one. I think this spawned thousands of incidents where guys stood outside girl’s homes and played music.

Lust for Life – Iggy Pop – Trainspotting

Ok… so the voice over is in french, but for the purposes of this post it’s the music that counts…. :-)

In The Deep – Bird York – Crash

A truly intense gritty movie. Loved it. And loved this song in it.

People Are Strange – Echo & The Bunnymen – Lost Boys

The song in the first part of this clip is Gerard McMann’s Cry Little Sister, also good… Love when People Are Strange is playing and scenes of regular people doing what they do.

Sweet Jane – Cowboy Junkies – Prelude To A Kiss

Unfortunately I couldn’t find a video clip from the movie with the song in it so I had to settle for the video. A lot of people haven’t even heard of this movie. I liked it. Also a little fable of a movie.

American Girl – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Silence of the Lambs

The girl, before being kidnapped, drives along singing this song at the top of her lungs, no care in the world… and then… the second tune from this film. What can I say?

Like To Get To Know You Well – Howard Jones – Better Off Dead

This is the music video, not the clip from the movie… unfortunately.

Across 110th Street – Bobby Womack – Jackie Brown

A fantastic intro/opening credits to a movie. Love this and again love Tarantino’s use of music in a film.

A Little Better Than Ezra

January 18, 2010 tokenhippygirl Leave a comment

I like this one…

Extraordinary

December 22, 2009 tokenhippygirl Leave a comment

Getting Joy Out of Life

November 23, 2009 tokenhippygirl 1 comment

Grandpa… This one reminds me so much of you. I love you.

Categories: Family, Music, video Tags: , ,

Creating Shiny Eyes

November 13, 2009 tokenhippygirl Leave a comment

This guy is inspirational. If you don’t feel good after listening to this then I don’t know what could make you feel good. Besides which, after listening you might also want to tune into some classical music. This is a lovely talk.

Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre)

November 8, 2009 tokenhippygirl 2 comments

Totally hooked on this song right now.

Just Your Average High School Students At Work

October 9, 2009 tokenhippygirl 1 comment

Not exactly what the average person imagines when they think of high school students. And yet…. All the people playing in this orchestra are high school students from around Venezuela.

Hooked On A Feeling

October 6, 2009 tokenhippygirl 3 comments

Possibly the worst video I’ve ever seen.  I mean, what’s up with the creepy strange guy who keeps popping up in the background.  It’s so bad it’s sort of compelling.  I’m disturbed by it, yet somehow I’ve watched it a couple of times.   This isn’t exactly the Blue Swede version I love.  How can I ever listen to this song again without thinking of The Hoff.  No, put it out of my mind… let it go.  Maybe if I face my fear, and post it here, I will be cured of the scourge that is this video.  It’s worth a try…

Music Men

September 7, 2009 tokenhippygirl Leave a comment

Thought I’d point the way to all the talented musicians in my and Karen’s families.

My cousin, Dave, is a composer currently living in New York.  He’s getting his music work for pay life moving forward doing scores for indie movies, theater productions, commercials, and the like.  He’s also quite the visual artist, but his focus is music.  If nothing else listen to the Menarquia, which he composed, and La Campanella, which he sort of composed (read his intro to it) and plays.  Just beautiful.

Dave’s Webpage

Karen’s cousin, Mike, is quite the song writer/singer/musician.  He’s a doctor by trade, but spends as much time as he can in Nashville writing, singing, and trying to get his stuff out there.  Check out Mike’s page.  He isn’t singing on all the tracks, as you will be able to tell, but he’s there on many of them.  He wrote all of them. Check him out.  My personal favorites here are My Endless Dream and XOXOX.

Mike’s Myspace Music Page

My cousin, Karl, has been making music most of his life.  He’s had quite a bit of indie success, touring in the US and Europe with various bands and alone.  You can check out Karl’s page and see if he’s soon to be playing in a town near you.  I’m loving That’s How I Got to Memphis and Dark Sedan.

Karl’s Myspace Music Page

My Uncle, Tom, has also been playing music most of his life.  When he was younger it’s what he did for a living, traveling from place to place, mostly alone, but sometimes with a band, playing gig after gig.  I was lucky enough to see him play once when I was a teen.  He gave that up for a time… not music, just music for a living, and got all legit doing the attorney thing, but he’s now getting back into playing.  We’re all glad, though I think he’s probably ecstatic about it.  Very fun to watch him… he’s a fantastic guitar player.  Sweet Pretty Lady and I Will Always Be Your Boy bring back great memories of Tom playing live and recording.  I still have your album Tom and sometimes actually spin it.

Tom’s Myspace Music Page

Cousin Kevin… he’s an inspiration to all who know and love him.  Let the music live on.

Coamhim’s music page

Categories: Family, Music

Gettin’ Down

Gettin’ Down, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

People were really enjoying the sounds of Sneakin’ Out yesterday at Colonel Summers Park in SE Portland. These two were great. So much fun to watch. You could tell they were having an awesome time.

Mandolin

August 17, 2009 tokenhippygirl 1 comment

Mandolin, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Sneakin’ Out is a local Portland Band that’s fantastic. We enjoyed listening to them yesterday during the Sundays Parkways event in SE Portland. This is the mandolin player of the trio. He’s amazing. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard anyone play as fast as he can.

Bass

Bass, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

This guy isn’t only talented, he’s incredibly entertaining. He loves playing music, loves what he does. He’s constantly movin’ and groovin’ to the sounds as they are playing. Really wonderful.

Percussion

Percussion, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The Sneakin’ Out percussionist. He’s unbelievable. So talented. Plus, the guy plays a mean typewriter. I’m not even kidding. Check out the shot, at the left, in the middle of the frame. Yep… a typewriter.

Sneakin’ Out

Sneakin’ Out, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

After completing the Sundays Parkways circuit yesterday we rode back to the first park, Colonel Summers, to listen to a Portland band, Sneakin’ Out.  We never miss an opportunity to see these guys if it’s possible to see them.  They are, without question, of the most unique trios around… plus, they are damn good. These guys can play.

In The House of Stone and Light

I’m just messing around online this morning before getting ready for work and listening to itunes. I have the mega playlist on shuffle. This one popped on, a blast from the past I absolutely love. Thought I’d share. Good morning everyone!

Categories: Music, video

The Making of David Gray’s New Single – Fugitive

August 8, 2009 tokenhippygirl 2 comments

I’m totally hooked on this song right now…. I love that he goes out to listen to it in his car.

Concert Snacks

Concert Snacks, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

When one goes to an outdoor concert, one HAS to bring snacks. It’s an actual law isn’t it? We were not the peeps with foresight though, we can thank our friend, Sandy, for the snacks. Sandy, you and your cooler rock!

Indigo Girls in Action

Indigo Girls in Action, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

This last Friday evening we enjoyed a night out with friends at the Oregon Zoo. Their summer concert series rocks. Great venue.

Strung Out

July 29, 2009 tokenhippygirl 1 comment

Strung Out, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

The Wedding Dance

July 27, 2009 tokenhippygirl 3 comments

I know this VIDEO is viral all over the web now, but I just happened to see it this morning and thought… hmmm… Mary… Martin… get on those dancin’ shoes!!  Seriously though… this is great.  If this video doesn’t make you feel good, I don’t know what will.  Congrats to J&K.

Enjoying.a Night of Music

Enjoying.a Night of Music, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Spent a lovely evening Friday night with friends at the Indigo Girls concert at the Oregon Zoo.  A good time was had by all.  And the girls… well they were in great form.  Plus, the opening act, David Ryan Harris, was pretty damn good as well.  The only issue we had was having to wait 40 minutes in line for food.  Once we got it… the rest of the night was cake.  Great time, great company.  Excellent.

So Much To Tell

Wow.  Busy.  That’s all I can say.  We just got back from camping at Davis Lake with family.  We were there four days.  A good time was had by all, including the pups.  On Saturday, before we left for the camp ground, we attended the wedding of one of my closest friends.  I acted as official wedding photographer and was honored to do so.  These two have been through quite a bit and after being together twelve years they decided to tie the knot.  It was a lovely ceremony.  Very emotional.  I cried like a baby.

Once we got back from camping on Tuesday we watched as our bathroom addition project got off the ground on Wednesday.  Excavation started and foundation work in underway.  Very exciting.  Tonight… a concert at the zoo.  Tomorrow… inner tubing the Sandy River with friends.  It’s been a long time since I went tubing.  Can’t wait actually, should be fun.  It’s supposed to be hot.  Hot and tubing go hand in hand.

That’s life right now… loads going on.  I’ll be posting some pics of the addition progress soon.  As well as photos taken during the wedding and the camping trip.  Patience people… there’s only one of me and only so much time in a day.  I have to sort of fit work in there somewhere.  After all, they’re still paying me.

They Don’t Just Think They Can Dance… They Can.

Karen and I watch a few TV shows regularly.  One of them is So You Think You Can Dance.  It’s basically a talent show for dancers.   During the course of the show the dancers are paired into couples and every week a guy and a girl is voted off, until they get down to the top 10.  This show is pretty amazing if you haven’t watched it.  The dancing is phenomenal and the choreography is… spectacular at times.  Last night there was a piece, choreographed by Mia Michaels, that was breath taking and very emotional.  Check it out.

Top 10 Movie Music Moments

June 14, 2009 tokenhippygirl 3 comments

Man From Snowy River – Chase sequence – Fantastic music here and beautiful photography to go with

High Fidelity – Let’s Get It On – Jack Black doing his thing

Reality Bites – All I Want Is You – WARNING – There’s a brief speaking part that’s not in English (a person has to take what they can get with YouTube when movie rights, etc. are in effect).

Jackie Brown – Across 110th Street – Opening credits of the movie

Pulp Fiction – Girl You’ll Be a Woman Soon – WARNING – drug overdose scene in this clip right near the end – I absolutely love Tarantino’s film making.

Once – Falling Slowly

Trainspotting – WARNING – Foul language alert

Kill Bill Vol. 2 – Goodnight Moon – Quentin Tarantino knows how to use music in his films

Moulin Rouge – Come What May – This is a great song, and I was totally surprised to learn these two could sing.

Chicago – Cell Block Tango

And, of course, a couple of additions because I never stop at 10…

Immortal Beloved – Ode To Joy (love the visualization of ode to joy… beautiful film making here)

Duets – Cruisin (cheesy, sort of, but who knew Gwyneth could sing… not I, until this)