These are the songs I keep playing over and over and over! Enjoy!
"And So It Goes"
John Denver and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
"You Ain't Goin' Nowhere"
Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
"Catfish John"
Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Randy Scruggs and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
"When it's Gone"
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
All of those songs are from an album called Will the Circle Be Unbroken - Volume 2. There are three volumes of Will the Circle Be Unbroken and you can buy them here. You can get the albums for a steal.
PS The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is my favorite band. Ever.
The above thought did actually pass though my head today. Seriously.
I was heading to check out of Broulim's when I spot "Dino Nuggets" in one of the freezers. I nearly died. Dino Nuggets? Like Dino Martin? This is awesome!
I was completely let down when I noticed that they were not shaped like Dean Martin, but like Dinosaurs.
I saw Casablanca for the first time when in 2006, my very first semester at Brigham Young University - Idaho. I was in a class called Intro to Film Art. It was such a fun class for me. Basically we watched movies and discussed them. I wasn't able to attend the class screenings of the movies, so I watched them on my own time.
I don't really remember watching any of them. Except Casablanca. I remember laying on my bed, watching it on my laptop and then crying very hard at the end (and possibly a couple other times...).
Things came full circle last night when I was able to watch the 70th anniversary screening of Casablanca in the Rexburg Paramount 5 theater. What a perfect thing to happen my last semester! I was so excited that I even skipped Grad Night to go.
If you haven't seen Casablanca, you need to. Everything about it is perfect. The actors are marvelous. Every character seems so real. It's so easy to cry and laugh along with them.
The music is delightful. Dooley Wilson is a dream, especially when he sings "As Time Goes By."
Watching Casablanca in a theater was a real treat. You could see everything so beautifully! It was wonderful! I was also really happy that my mom was able to join me.
Here are some of the best pictures I was able to find on the internet. I hope you like them as much as I do. And if you haven't seen Casablanca, maybe these will entice you to hurry up and do so.
This is one of my favorite movies. I love the novel as well. People complain that the movie is long (four hours), but it doesn't drag. The movie is the book in fast forward. The book is pretty big, but it only took me two weeks to get through. It was much too exciting to put down. The movie is the same way for me. I just can't stop watching. I don't really know how to tell if you'll like this movie. So maybe watch the trailer and see what you think.
It even had a piece of my favorite scene in it! Anyone guess which part it is?
Bottom line: Clark Gable, Vivian Leigh, 10 Academy Awards... do you really need more than that?
Holy delightful and insightful comedy! This one is a treasure.That should really shock anyone - it's directed by Frank Capra (It's A Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington). If you haven't seen it you need to. It's got an all star cast - and is just a treat to watch.
Bottom line: You should watch it. It's hysterical and your heart will be touched.
I love this movie. I love it so much that I read the book. I shouldn't have read the book. Hollywood changed the ending and then the book was just disappointing. I am glad they changed the ending because it's beautiful.
Oh by the way I adore Katharine Hepburn. All time favorite actress. Hands down.
For some reason I can't find the clip through blogger so you'll have to click here to watch the trailer.
Bottom line: Great movie. Also a little sad. It's about a young girl doing her best to fit in, please her parents and not fall apart in the midst of it all. I love it.
*Confession* I also watched two Lifetime movies on Saturday... Not the sappy, lusty romance kind, but the murder/kidnapping/sucks-to-be-that-lady-but-she's-still-miraculously-stunning kind. I would just like to point out that it's not my fault that I like them. Lifetime has some special formula for making movies appeal to women... It's probably that they are super drama filled.
Overalls, mullets, and country love songs, just a few of the things I love about the 90s.
I've been on a 90s country music kick lately. I've come to the conclusion that 90s country love songs speak to my soul. Perhaps when I fall in love it'll feel like these songs.
If you haven't heard about Jonestown and the Peoples Temple you need to do some watching or reading. It is fascinating. And so tragic. Watch the following video... it makes me want to cry...
Bottom line: This is history. America's history. But it's not pretty. I think it's good to be aware of such things.
I just finished reading Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach.
Alice is a journalist who decides she needs to get out of her very scheduled and predicable life for a while and travel. She is a single mother whose boys have grown up. She takes April to January off from work and travels abroad. She writes postcards to herself as sort of a travel log. She travels alone and meets several interesting people.
I really liked this book. It fueled my desire to do some traveling.
Oh and it's really well written. Alice is a Pulitzer Prize winner...
Sometimes I'm just really grateful that I have the life I have.
Today I looked down a path my life could have taken. It was like looking down a terrible dark alley where rats with diseases live. Rats that like to bite you. A lot. And the only way to get out and get help involves semi-public embarrassment and possibly shame. You would have to admit that you went down that alley in the first place and didn't listen to those who tried to warn you that the alley was rat infested.
Personally I'd rather avoid the rats all together.
What this all boils down to is that I am so grateful Heavenly Father doesn't listen to what I want and instead gives me something much better, no matter how much I protest.
I don't even have to dodge bullets, He pushes me out of the way!
Heavenly Father will do (and probably has done) the same for you because you are His child! If you don't believe that, I challenge you to ask Him. He will confirm that to you because he loves you.
I would also challenge you to watch this video and listen with your heart, for you are indeed a child of God!
"Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way..."
I read this book on recommendation from a friend. It is very interesting. It is the true story of Christopher McCandless and his adventures traipsing the country and finally ending up in Alaska, where he died. McCandless is guided by his desire to be free from society and people, including his family.
I think what I liked about this book was that it was not just about McCandless. Krakauer shared several stories about people similar to McCandless including himself. The book is an adventure story.
I like reading about real people. You can learn a lot by reading about a real person and what they went through.
If you like biographies and adventures, check it out.
PS - If you do a quick Google search you can learn a lot about McCandless and see pictures from his trip.
Bottom line: Fantastic show. I adore all of the main characters. Watch it.
Saturday
The Frank Sinatra Spectacular (1965)
Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra and Johnny Carson via The Daily Caller
I discovered this event about a year ago. Since then I've watched it on YouTube too many times to count. Last week it was taken down. I nearly died. I had been planning to purchase it on DVD and now I was forced to. It finally arrived on Saturday, so I put in on right away. Absolutely delightful. Johnny Carson hosted as these three sang and joked. They each had a turn on stage alone and then together.
There is a clip of the end of the show for you. If you like these guys at all I would recommend watching the whole show. It gives you a great feel for their friendships and humor. It's just so good! Someone else put the show up so you can watch it here.
Bottom line: I won't be surprised if I wear this DVD out. I'm so glad I bought it. I don't know how you could be disappointed in such a concert!
The Best of the Dean Martin Variety Show (1965 - 1974)
This is humor at it's finest. I love variety shows! I think my favorite thing to see is when Dean starts laughing and he can't stop.
Bottom line: Hilarious. Get on YouTube and watch some more. What a fun way to spend your time. Grab a friend and then you can quote them later to each other.
In the last week I have witnessed two outstanding acts of goodness.
The first one happened a last week. I was walking around the Crossroads (BYUI eatery) surveying people. My partner and I came upon two trendy looking guys who were taking pictures of a really messy table (to-go boxes full of trash, napkins, etc.) and ton of fliers all over the floor. At first I thought they had made the mess and were taking pictures because they thought they were funny.
Then as we talked with them we realized they hadn't made the mess but their friends had. They were documenting so they could hassle them about it later. "You know when you see messes like this and you wonder, 'what kind of person would make such a mess and then leaves it?' " one of the guys tells me, "Well apparently my friends do." He was kind of laughing it off, but you could tell was sad that his friends would do such a thing.
Then he stacked up the trash and threw it away. He and his friend got down on their hands and knees and picked up every last flier. And they were happy to do it. They weren't please with their friends for leaving the mess, but they were happy they were there to clean it up.
Isn't that amazing? As I walked away from these fine gentlemen, I couldn't help but think of all the goodness they would spread in their lives. And all of the goodness they'd already spread.
The second story happened about five minutes ago. I work in the bookstore of the Madison Library District. As I was sitting at my desk I noticed a group of teenagers sort of kneeling on the ground around someone. I got up to make sure they didn't need me, as I did one of the guys started pulling his friend to his feet. He had his arms under the other guy's armpits. I had seen this crowd before and knew that the young man being pulled to his feet uses crutches (I would guess he has spina bifida).
His friend continued to hold him up as they started to make their way to the entrance, one of the girls carrying the crutches. Then his legs faltered and gave way. Both of the boys lowered a bit, but neither fell. The boy being held up said with a little frustration, "Sometimes this body...!" His friend, as he is helping him back up, replies, "You are fine man."
We hear those words all the time. I wish you could have heard the way this young man said them. He was not annoyed or embarrassed at all. He was helping his friend when he truly need it. And it was fine. Because that's what friends do.
I cannot explain how good my heart felt when I witnessed these things. We hear a lot about the bad in the world, but don't ever overlook the good. It is all around you.
Everybody can be
great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You
don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of
grace. A soul generated by love.
As I think of my impending graduation from Brigham Young University-Idaho there are a few things I get to do. One is to consider buying some useless BYU-I memorabilia. As I was looking at my options today I came upon the Fine Gifts section. You can imagine my excitement. As I viewed the three full pages of "fine gifts" I realized I had never truly known what a fine gift was until today.
Let me enlighten you.
BYUI Collegiate Bling Circle Ring - $9.99
I like this one because it's super trendy. I can't think of one outfit that this wouldn't go with.
BYU-Idaho Candy Jar - $10.99
So that when those candy stealing kids take your candy, they will be inspired to get an education at BYU-I. Also it will match your BYU-I themed kitchen.
BYU-Idaho Golf Towel - $19.99
This will match your BYU-I Golf Ball and the decal on the side of your golf cart.
BYU-Idaho Large Foam Basketball 6-Inch - $9.99
Because nothing says "fine" like a foam.
BYU-Idaho Yo-Yo - $2.99
I already knew that Yo-Yos were considered fine. That's why I wanted one so bad in 6th grade when the Yo-Yo guy came to school and did an assembly. Although I think mine is fancier than this one. I think it was worth more than $2.99 and I definitely paid more (or my parents did, I can't remember). Also as I speak my Yo-Yo is not a foot away from me.
There are other notable items such as a dinner bell (for when you get a butler) and a thimble that looks like more trouble than it's worth.
I hope this helps clear up any confusion regarding "fine gifts."
