Rising From the Ashes and/or a Watery Cell

I was listening to this song on the way to work today and it basically changed my life. I've been a fan for sometime. In fact, Jackson's moving anthem has been a theme song for a number of important life events: road trips, long races, lonely nights and unbearably difficult days. It is during these trying times that Will You Be There gives you the strength you need. And just when you think you can't go on, Michael sneak attacks you with a key change and inspires you to press onward. Later on when you have reached your breaking point yet again: another key change. At this point you are pretty much overwhelmed because no one has ever dared to slip in two key changes in the same song (too much of a good thing? I don't think so), but nothing is too daring for the King of Pop. As he winds down tantalizing you with what you think is his last experimental move, he rises from the ashes yet again with a third key change. You thought it couldn't be done. You doubted his ability. Luckily, you were proven wrong.

As you listen to it, I would ask you just one question: Will YOU be there?



Don't make fun of me. This song is amazing and let's not forget how inspired all of us were when Willy flew for the first time. That moment when he rose from his watery cell and his body drips rained down on the young Jesse below rallied a nation and inspired generations old and young. Let us not forget his inspiring legacy.

Those Who Can't Do...

Mayday? Maybe not.

I have a close friend who is in an interesting situation—he's desperately in love with his ex-wife. More than anything else in the world, he wants to get back with her. More than anything else in the world, I want him to get back with her. I've told him that I am in his corner...that we are going to get her back. He's Rocky and I'm his Mickey.

Today as I was heading back to Utah Valley Regional after a meeting at Orem Community Hospital, I was listening to Mayday Parade's moving ballad, Miserable At Best and thought instantly of my warrior friend. I have to admit that I got a little emotional as I listened to the lyrics so appropriately describing my buddy's plight (At least in my mind they were talking about my friend). Such a poignant song about the complications of two people who love each other, but have been hurt and don't quite know how to move on.

This one's for you little buddy. Go get your Katie back.

Fever Pitch

The other day I went and saw The Adjustment Bureau with my roommate and some of our friendgirls. Justin showed me the preview a couple of minutes before we left to see it, so I really wasn't sure about the movie. To make matters worse, I lost my temper on the way over and was a sourpuss the rest of the night...that is, until this song came on during the most action-packed scene of the movie and made me feel worlds better.

I love Adam Freeland's remix of Sarah Vaughan's classic Fever. I didn't realize it was a remix until I looked it up online after the movie. About halfway through listening to it, I was struck by the way she sings one of the lines. It reminded me of another song. It hit me that another version of Fever is in Dan in Real Life (which, also stars Emily Blunt). I hope you enjoy it. I think it is a great song to listen to and to exercise to.

Polar Express

I won't bore you with any of my normal reasons why I love a song. Today I just want to share this song because it puts me in the mood for Christmas. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Merry Christmas. I love you all!

Train's Shake up Christmas:

He Who Sings Brand New Day Gives us Two Brand New Songs

It's been a while. I realize that. I've had a lot going on with work and with the Masquerade Ball I threw last week with some friends...So my apologies, please.

The other night I watched the movie Adam which is about a man with Asperger's Syndrome who begins a relationship with his new neighbor. The movie was good, but the soundtrack was even better. I may be a little biased because they had not one, but two Joshua Radin songs on there. Not to mention the Weepies song I like, Can't Go Back.

The song that I will be sharing today plays during a time of self discovery toward the end of the movie while Adam is walking down the streets of a New York City suburb in the snow. It begins with a series of chilling chords. Joshua perpetuates the mood with a somewhat lugubrious first verse. Josh is joined by Maria Taylor at the chorus where we eventually find a bit of solace from the cold, but even sitting by the flickering warmth of their voices, the cold still seeps through the seams of our coats.

Listen and let me know what you think.



Okay, you may have to check this one out as well...It's from his new album The Rock and the Tide. You're gonna love it.

A Diamond in the Rough

I have three things to say:

1. I have never heard a lullaby more beautiful than this—Jewel's Angel Standing By. She sings of angels and she is an angel singing. This version is from her new album, so appropriately named, Lullaby.

2. I first heard this song on the movie Return to Me. It plays when David Duchovny walks into his house after the fatal car wreck that took his wife from him. His tuxedo is stained with blood, bandages cover his own wounds and the sleeve of his shirt has been torn off. His dog comes over to him and he breaks the news to him that "She's not coming back." He slumps to the floor and cries like a child...My sister introduced it back into my life on the way back from our family reunion earlier this month.

3. Jewel, I want to marry you. I've been in a weird-like funk lately and I think you're helping me pull out of it. I present the evidence:

I drove past a group of "protestors" on Center and University yesterday with picket signs offering "FREE HUGS." I almost stopped.

I also went on a walk yesterday and just walked and walked without direction just so I could think and feel lonely.

Last Friday I went to the library and checked out no less than eight library books.

and, coming into work today I pulled youtube up and listened to this song and almost had to close my office door. It just hit the spot.