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Broken things, flocks of seaguls, and it ain’t no lie, baby, bye, bye, BYE!

It has been a week of broken things and trying to fix them. Some things that have been broken are fixable or temporary, some are not. Some of these things broke a long time ago and were finally looked at, examined and faced up to. Some have an excellent prognosis, and some do not. In the better cases, though it will never be quite what it was before being damaged, the wound was cleaned, applied with Neosporin and the boo-boo was adequately covered with a Sponge Bob Band aid and kissed better. It still hurts, there will probably be a scar, but it is on its way to being good as new, if not better than it was.

Other things that were broken sort of feel like the same Sponge Bob Band aid put on a hemorrhaging artery or one of those scenes where there is one overly optimistic or guilt-ridden doctor in a packed trauma room fruitlessly doing CPR on a patient everyone else and their dog can tell is past saving.

At least I haven’t lost my sense of drama about it all. (Not always a good thing, I know.)

Not that everything broken this week was so severe. Though they were still six shades of suck a duck, there were some less extreme examples, such as:

I was trying to kill time waiting for an important conversation to happen. It was one of those things that you dread, like knowing you have to throw up. You know you are going to, but it isn’t something you look forward to. To pass time, I took my car through a carwash. In the “Hang over suck” of the next morning it was just LOVELY to find out that I had left the door to the gas tank open and it was ripped off in the wash cycle. Or, as my friend Karen pointed out, it was “Sort of” ripped off.
I guess it is fitting. I’ve my car a whole two weeks and it just wouldn’t be me if I hadn’t somehow managed to damage something lovely in that period of time.

And then something that could possibly be worse-

My fabulous, comfy, lime-green earphone of cuteness that are almost surgically attached to my body has suffered a fatal injury. Doesn’t it look like a little amputee victim?I can’t replace them at the moment due to the HUGE FREAKING FINE I am receiving for my 25-mph over speeding adventure the other night. I may very well have to whore myself out on the mean streets of North Logan to come up with the cash to pay the court system. Actually, since I’ve reduced my rates to $5 dollar blow jobs, I may have to whore Wilbur out as well.

So, if anyone knows any desperate, horny fur-balls of the human or feline variety that have extra cash to bandy about and are in Northern Utah or Southern Idaho, let me know.

Actually, scratch the Southern Idaho part. I’m not THAT desperate. Yet.

At least I had a great Easter. It began with my friend calling to inquire if I was the one that had her lawn “Flocked” with plastic pink flamingos. (You can “Flock a friend” and have the proceeds go to the Children’s Justice Center). I was entirely flattered that she assumed it was me. If I had any clue that something so spectacularly COOL was around my valley I would have totally done it in a heartbeat. Alas, it was not me.

She also made my day by giving me a way cool “Easter Gift” of cupcake boxes of various size (As to more attractively and conveniently tote cupcakes made for my beloved sister-in-law, Nooncy), an Allison Krauss CD, and BEST OF ALL: A huge anthology of the “Jack the Ripper” case. Dude. Nothing says Easter like Jack the Ripper.

She rocks my world.

And finally, this is probably the very last post I will do before moving to my new blog.

It won’t be for another week (Or two) because It’s spring break and my kiddies are home all day so I don’t really have the time to blog much. My children are fighting 24-7 and I am almost to the point that I am willing to sell them on EBay.

After the spawn return to school on Tuesday I am going to throw myself into making my new web page, learning CSS (Or at least understanding it and Word Press enough so that I don’t blow up Argentina when I try to operate my new blog) and getting everything settled.

So, don’t worry if I’m not around for awhile

I haven’t decided if I am going to redirect from here, post my new link or just send it to people and keep it more confidential. It will probably be the latter, so if you are interested in following me you better let it be known in the comments or by email.

Sorry in advance to the lurkers, but I have my reasons.

It’s been fun. Except for that whole “Blogger is a wench” thing, of course.

On Soundtracks

Between watching and writing about my “Forrest Gump” viewing and reading Alex’s fun list in my comments, I thought that I would weigh in on my favorites as far as sound tracks are concerned.

I know I am going to leave some off, but here it goes:

My favorite soundtrack: “Robin Hood Prince of Thieves”.

It was not easy to pick a favorite soundtrack. It is sort of like asking me to pick out my favorite leaf on a tree, but I had to go with the one I listen to the most. The summer of 1991 was life changing. At all of 15 years of age, my adoration of the orchestral film score was secured. I saw this movie about a dozen times in the theater because the first time I heard the opening to this movie I almost started shaking. Intense love at first listen.

It did help that Christian Slater was a hottie and Alan Rickman was a genius as the Sheriff of Nottingham, which helped diffuse how much Kevin Costner sucked in this film. The music was GLORIOUS. I love most of the tracks on this one.

I had loved the music of other movies (Namely, “The Man from Snowy River” and “Chariots of Fire” *Hey, synthesisers were new, OK?*) but since I was so young, I didn’t really understand how much of my enjoyment of a movie was based on the film score. They move me like no other music can.

Best comedy soundtrack: “The Princess Bride” This music is both quirky and makes you feel so melancholy and at home at the same time.

AND “South Park: The Movie” along with “Team America, World Police”. Say what you will about them, but they are absolute composition comedy GENIUSES. GENIUSES, I tell you. Though I admit, it can be quite…ehem.

Best action soundtrack: “Star Wars” There are no words for John William’s genius. My very favorite scene is the last one at the awards ceremony. SO cool when they all turn at the same time. I think I ran unrestrained around the theater at three years old it hyped me up so much.

Best dramatic soundtrack: “Forrest Gump” OK, I know that technically this is a comedy as well, but ‘Jenny’s Theme’ and ‘Run Forrest’ are both heartbreaking and inspiring. LOVE IT.

Best historical soundtrack: TIE. “Last of the Mohican’s” This was another MUST have. That fiddle they play on the main theme? TO DIE FOR. and “Emma” by Rachel Portman. Portman is amazing and one of the most talented composers of this generation. I love all of her work and she is a heavy part of my library. I got married to this music, I love it so much. She does some very fun things with her arrangements.

Best animal theme: “Fawkes the Phoenix” from Harry Potter. I’m sorry, but it is just so inspiring and reassuring, like the bird itself.

Sweetest theme: “A Simple Twist of Fate”. It is a very quiet little film by Steve Martin. The theme used here is so sweet and simple that it almost feels like taking a warm bath.

Most “Themed theme”: “Rudy”. I love the heavy “Fighting Irish” thread he has going on here.

Most powerful theme: “Glory” by James Horner. Specifically, “Charging Ft. Wagner”. It is akin to Orff’s “Carmina Burana“. Loud, confusing, clashing and also building with subtle intensity in segments.

Most majestic soundtrack: “Lord of the Rings” Damn. That’s all I have to say about that.

Best use of political satire in a soundtrack: “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” The “Zephed Beezlebrock” (OR WHATEVER, BRIAN AND KAREN. I never get the name right. Sigh) is HILARIOUS! “He’s not stupid! (OH, NO!) He’s much smarter than you, and he’s better looking too!” Take a listen. The “Achoo” hymn done in traditional Anglican hymnal structure KILLS ME.

Soundtrack I used to love but can no longer admit to liking because even I can only take so much mocking: “Titanic”. Sigh.

Best scary soundtrack: “The Sixth Sense” OMG. I freaked out in the first two measures and asked my friend Brian to “Hold me”. “The Changeling” was also fairly freaky.

Best military influenced soundtrack: You know how much I love music with a military influence. I don’t really know why. Maybe it is the precision, maybe it is the heavy use of brass or the fact that I think the piccolo just isn’t used enough, I dunno. I just like it a lot. I have a tie. I cannot pick between “Glory” and “The Patriot” they both kick ass.

If we are going with one specific theme, though, the winner is the main theme to the HBO series by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks “Band of Brothers”. Gorgeous.

Best soundtrack to inspire you to pretty much be willing to commit mass suicide in a muddy field in Agincourt, France: “Henry V” by Patrick Doyle. I love this Soundtrack. There are two moments that are pure genius-the track for the “St. Crispian’s Day Speech” and “Non Nobis Domine” kick some serious, serious composition TAIL. ( I HAD to find a way to put this in here)

Best romantic theme: “Kiss you” from Romeo & Juliet. OMG. It makes you want to grab the nearest object and start sucking face with it. I WILL sing this one day.

Best soundtrack from a children’s film: “Mary Poppins” What’s all this, step in time? It seriously makes you want to go be a chimney sweep and dance on the roof tops of London. And WHO doesn’t get misty eyed on “Feed the Birds”. It’s one of my favorite songs to sing.

Best vocals on a soundtrack: It has to go to the queen “Enya“. Between ‘Now you are free’ from “Gladiator” and “May it be ” from Lord of the Rings, and her work on Steve Maritn’s “LA Story”, she has it nailed. Second favorite is “Weep you no more sad fountains” from “Sense and Sensibility” by Patrick Doyle

Best soundtrack from the 30′s: “Gone With the Wind”
Best soundtrack from the 40′s: “White Christmas” Hello, could you get more amazing than Bing Crosby on “I’ll be home for Christmas”? Need I say more?
Best soundtrack from the 50′s: “The King and I”
Best soundtrack from the 60′s: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. ‘Moon River’ is enough to make you lay down and weep.
Best soundtrack from the 70′s: “Jaws”. Who knew a minor 2nd could be so damn scary? John freaking Williams, that’s who!
Best soundtrack from the 80′s: “The Man From Snowy River” and “Say Anything”
Best Soundtrack from the 90′s: “City of Angels” (So, so, so awesome)and “Forrest Gump” the song compilation.

Best song remakes: Tie between the covers on “50 First Dates” and “Moulin Rouge” both are brilliant in different ways.

Best soundtrack for a completely stupid movie: “Cold Mountain”. There are no words for how much I did not really care for this film. What I LOVE is the music. You cannot get better than Allison Krauss singing “The Scarlett Tide”. Also, they recorded this amazing church choir located deep in the smokey mountains. “The Sacred Harp Singers” I have never heard anything like it: There is no attention to blend, no accompaniment, no strict time keeping, and the end result is loud, ruckus, and gloriously bizarre. I was very tempted to put the winner here as “The Legend of Bagger Vance” by Rachel Portman, but I think “Cold Mountain” takes it.

Best cry your eyes out moment:“Little Women” the simple piano theme when Beth dies. I love this soundtrack so freaking much I can forget the Winona Ryder stars in it.

Best quirky movie Soundtrack: “Harold & Maude” by Cat Stevens.

Best individual instrument performance: “Uncorked” by Jeff Dana. Specifically, “Ross’s Concert”. This is a little movie that stars Minnie Driver. I like the film well enough, but the music is the real star. The first time I heard this I literally had a tear run down my cheek and my jaw was on the floor. I think I repeated it 15 times in a row that night. It was this AMAZING musical moment that was so unexpected and lovely. This guy can play one hell of an acoustic guitar. I went through hell to get the soundtrack but it was worth it.

Soundtrack I never want to hear again: “The Omen”. I would say that THREE HOURS of being “Caroled” in a haunted corn maze by Brian Joy singing “Ave Satani” would be quite enough for anyone, thank you.

Honorable mentions:
“Jurassic Park”
“Waking Ned Divine”
“Cider House Rules”
“Pearl Harbor”
“Gettysburg”
Spiderman
“Practical Magic”
“Raiders of the Lost Ark”
“Black Beauty”
“Oh, Brother! Where Art Thou?”
Braveheart
Shrek 2″
“Rob Roy”
“Garden State”
“Last Kiss”
“The Goonies
“Meet Joe Black”
“Pirates of the
Caribbean
“Amalie”

I know there are so many more, but my brain is fried. Discuss and comment away. Or not. I didn’t want to hear from you all anyway, so THERE! PPPFFTTH!!!!!

:)

Run Forrest! (Just not TOO fast or you might get one huge-ass fine)

***EDIT*** (I probably should have skipped the lame tribute to Tom Hanks and just written about the suck that happened last night. I put it at the bottom.)

I just finished watching “Forrest Gump” for the second time in the same number of days. It’s currently showing on TNT and since I have been having hot and heavy makeout sessions with a box of tissues and my NyQuil capsules, I decided that I should pass the time by watching a really long movie.

This fit the bill.

I haven’t seen it in forever and I forgot just how much I love that little film.
I know, I know. Some people hate it, but I am not one of them.

My favorite part of the whole film has got to be the college football scene where he plows into the marching band and keeps running down the tunnel. HA! Even funnier is the “Stop Forrest” flag that they unroll in the next scene to get him to stop.

Besides being one of the funniest parts of the film, I relate to this segment. I was such a dork in the music department. I had to work twice as hard as everyone to understand my course work. I seriously thought one day someone was going to say “She has got to be the stupidest sonofabitch alive, but she sure can sing!”

I was on a full-ride scholarship because I had great vocal folds but I was the worst musician. I remember finally figuring out how to count and comprehending that and eighth note and and eighth note equal a quarter note JUNIOR YEAR. HELLO! Yah. I’m super “Special”. I’ll be going to KMART later if anyone wants to join me.

I also love the soundtrack. There are two. The compilation of various songs is awesome, but I am so in LOVE with the orchestral score. In case you didn’t know, Orchestral Soundtracks are my “Thing”. I heart them. They are my very favorite type of music. Go ahead and mock me, I care not. You get used to it when you have the taste in things that I do. (Air Supply, anyone?)

This score has everything a great soundtrack should have-It can make you almost cry and totally rev you up. Or, in my case, make me jump up and down on my bed during the above “Football Scene” with a tissue shoved up one nostril. (I’ve been sneezing so much I gave myself a nose bleed.)

Anyhoo-I am still in pretty bad sick suck, but I wanted to pop in and say something so you didn’t think I had died. I wish I had more interesting things to blog about besides watching movies, but it is what it is. I’ll try and answer emails and swing by more blogs when I’m feeling better.

Later!

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I suppose a more interesting post would have been how I got ticketed for going 25 miles over the speed limit in my new car. I cannot believe I was going so fast. I have never been ticketed for anything but 10 miles over.

I suppose that is what happens when you are used to driving a piece of hud car that starts to cough and shake like 3/4th of “The Golden Girls” cast when it gets above 15 mph.

I am freaking out of my mind. I really can’t afford this right now and it just SUCKS.

P.S. Yes. I watch “The Golden Girls”. I ALSO watch “Matlock“. Are any of you really surprised????
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