Soundtrack - Good stuff

Because it's been ages since I've done one of these.

Here are the old(ish) songs I still think kick:


Here Comes the Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze

I can't understand most of it, but I love it. Also, I watched this video incessantly one summer when I was in Puerto Rico. I think I was eleven.


"Under the Bridge" by The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Even at ten I knew this song was amazing. A.May.Zing.

"You'll Think of Me" by Keith Urban

Not old enough to be a classic, but not new enough to be cool. Of course, it is country so cool is debatable. In my world, it's cool.

"Inevitable" by Shakira

This is the Shaki I fell in love with. Yeah, yeah, she sings in English now, but this stuff was so fabulous.

"Octavo día" by Shakira

I mean, as long as we're talking about her....

"Querida" by Juan Gabriel

This is the sound of family dinners at my house circa 1988.

"Crossroads" by Bone Thugs and Harmony

This was absolutely NOT played at dinner at my house, but it's still a good song.

"Unpretty" by TLC

I still need this song to get me through those ugly days.

"Waterfalls" by TLC

Gosh these girls were so great!

"Ordinary People" by John Legend

I love him. That is all.

"Burbujas de amor" by Juan Luis Guerra

This man is a poet.

"Maldita Suerte" by Víctor Manuelle and Sin Bandera

Another one that's in that in between - not old enough and not new enough.

"Good Life" by Kanye West

This song still makes me happy.

"No te veo" by Casa de Leones

Listen to this and TRY not to dance.

"Collide" by Howie Day

I don't know what it is, I just love this song.

Después de la tormenta siempre sale el sol

This made my day and totally makes up for yesterday's craptacular-ness.

Wordle

Have y'all heard of Wordle? Hours of entertainment, folks. HOURS.
That translates to "hours of procrastination".

Image courtesy of www.wordle.net

Christmas soundtrack

There had to be a Christmas edition of this. I wonder if we ever really realize the depth of the words we're singing at Christmas....

1. "O Holy Night"

This is by far my favorite Christmas song because of lines like these:
* "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."
* "Fall on your knees, O hear the angels voices"
* "Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease..."

2. "Arbolito de Navidad"

"Arbolito, arbolito, campanitas te pondré. Quiero que seas bonito, que al recién nacido te voy a ofrecer. Iremos por el camino, caminito de Belén, iremos porque esta noche, ha nacido el niño rey." And it's catchy. I end up singing it all the time.

3. "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen/We Three Kings" by BNL featuring Sarah MacLachlan

And it's true: I love their version above all other ones. Sample lyrics: "Let nothing you dismay, for Jesus Christ our Saviour was born upon this day, to save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray" and "Born a king on Bethlehem's plain, gold I bring to crown Him again, king forever, ceasing never over us all to reign"

4. "Burrito sabanero"

Nothing too deep here, but it's so stinkin' catchy and I love it. "Con mi burrito sabanero voy camino de Belén, si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén"

5. "Angels We Have Heard On High"

"Angels we have heard on high, singing sweetly o'er the plains, and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains..."

6. "What Child Is This?"

"This, this is Christ the King whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him praise..."

7. "Las Posadas"

So the story behind this song is that Joseph and Mary are looking for an inn.... I don't know why I love it as much as I do, but I do love it.

8. "Villancico Yaucano"

This is one of those uniquely Puerto Rican Christmas songs. The story is similar to "Little Drummer Boy" in that it's about poor folks coming to visit the Christ child without a whole lot to offer materially, but I like it just a little more than "Little Drummer Boy" - "Al Niño recién nacido todos le ofrecen un don yo como no tengo nada le ofrezco mi corazón."

9. "Little Drummer Boy"

I guess it's the story that I really like - bringing what you've got, and I kinda like what David Bowie does with it. I really don't think we think about the things we're singing at Christmas....

10. "No Hay Cama Pa' Tanta Gente" by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico

Trust a Puerto Rican to make a song about kicking people out of your house after a rowdy Christmas party a holiday classic. Seriously. This song is hilarious! "¡Pa'fuera! ¡Pa' la calle!" Jajaja...

More pics

More pics from M's wedding, shamelessly stolen from S.

With B.

Giving the toast

With S. So cute!

Again, with B.


And now for the ugly sweater party pics:

Wedding pics

So one of my favorite girls got married this weekend. A few wedding pics - hopefully there will be more to come:

Blue toothin'

Because phone convos aren't the only things that distract the average driver.

The Bible or the Bard?

Someone needs to read the Bible in English....

The Bible or The Bard? Score: 70% (7 out of 10)

Phillies!

The Phillies won!
Which means two things:
1. B. really DOES turn around the fate of sports teams in cities in which he lives. ;)

2. Parade! Whoot whoot!

Boston in the fall

Pics from the recent trip to Boston/Lynn, MA. Good times, good times....

There was fun with hats:










There were street performers:








There were historical sights, 294 steps, sweet views, and some stretching:










There were things couples do:

















Oh, and this:

Another study break

Internet quizzes know all. Especially if they only require that you click one button.

What Your Little Black Dress Says About You

You are elegant, classy, and sophisticated. You know how to turn heads when you enter a room... and then keep people interested with your witty banter. Your style is classic, tailored, and flawless. You don't fall for silly fashion trends. If you were a shoe, you would be: Classic black pumps

The Little Black Dress Test

Parents

B. and I just had round 1 of Meeting the Parents, preceded by rounds 1 and 2 of Meeting Friends.

In a reversal of tradition, his parents were first. I was nervous because I have never had to meet parents before; I've usually dated guys whose families I already knew. Thankfully, all went well and we had a good time hanging out in the city and exploring.

A few pics:

All of us at the Japanese house and garden in Fairmount Park


He looks so hot in this pic.... B. in the bathroom at the Japanese house, obviously too tall for the stool.


Modeling my sexy paper slippers


The Magic Garden on South Street - If you're in Philly, check it out, the place is unbelievable!


B. and I reflected on the ceiling in the basement of the Magic Garden


Bonus: Butterfly at the Horticultural Center in Fairmount Park


Next weekend: Round 2 of Meeting the Parents; easier for me, more nerve wracking for B....

Study break!

What Your Favorite Color Green Says About You:

Balanced --- Relaxed --- Flexible Compassionate --- Philosophical --- Humble Loyal --- Inventive --- Unique

What Does Your Favorite Color Say About You?

Internet quizzes are never wrong about these things.
Now, back to Urban Politics.... Boo....

Muévelo

We went salsa dancing Friday night - such a good time!
B, Me, and N before the dancing begins:

B, J, and N

The crew after a night of salsa, merengue, and bachata. Good times!

Down the Shore

I spent yesterday at the beach with B. It was the first time I'd been to the beach all summer long, so I was lovin' it. I'm a little toasty today - not quite burned, but close - but it was worth it.

First: feet Walking down to the beach
Sunset
Me and B.
Streets

Shoe, shell, crab. I promise all three are there.
Surfer wiping out

City lights
B. and me.
Feet, again.

I was so scared to get down from that seat....