Spent and superficial

Yup, you. I'm talking to you. OPEN.YOUR.EYES! Listen...some people are not blind literally, but they are totally blind and oblivious to what other people need in life. I see this as a serious problem. When you don't see what I need out of you as a parent, friend, boyfriend, etc., it's just not going to work. Simple fact of life. Some people are completely unable to reach this level of understanding. They are void of any depth, and it often seems impossible to reach them. And I think that's the message Snow Patrol is trying to get across with their song "Open Your Eyes." I LOVE the way this song builds up to the climax, and that climax is almost fist pump-worthy...but in a more classy, non-Jersey Shore type of way.

Regardless, this song really makes me think of some of the internal stuggles I've had in relationships of all kind. It reminds me of relationships that haven't worked because some people consistently fail to open up to you. When everything is on the surface and you can't see what the other person needs, it becomes lifeless. And it takes a LOT out of those people emotionally. And that's how I feel today: a little emotionally spent. So, here is an amateur video that is not great by any means, but I still enjoy it because it get's the point across. And here are some lyrics for your reading pleasure.

"Get up, get out, get away from these liars
'Cause they don't get your soul or your fire
Take my hand, knot your fingers through mine
And we'll walk from this dark room for the last time...
I want so much to open your eyes
'Cause I need you to look into mine."

Phoenix? Phoenix, Arizona? Ummm, no.

Anytime I hear the word "Phoenix," I automatically think Arizona. DUH! But no, I'm not talking about Arizona here. I'm talking about a wonderful band called Phoenix that has become my new obsession. I first discovered their song "1901" on the new 2010 Cadillac SRX commercial. It is a fun, slightly techno-undertone, good for driving in your car type of song. And if you know me, you know that I enjoy techno to some degree...for example, in high school, I went to a lot of mixers and the last song was typically "Sandstorm" by DaRude, and that was my cue to get my groove on! Haha. Sooooo, yeah. I'm cool.

After a couple of weeks of rocking out to "1901" and my boyfriend laughing at me for what I like to call "car dancing" I was listening to Pandora at work; the song "Litszomania" by Phoenix started to play. I instantly recognized the voice of the lead singer and the easy-going, free-flow of the song. And....dun, dun, dun....fell in love with yet another Phoenix song. I have no idea what this song is about...something about rhinos, maybe? I guess I could look up the lyrics and think about it, but to save us both some time, I'm not going to. I'm sure it's not literally about rhinos, but rather in some sort of wonderfully artsy figurative way. So, check it out and let me know what you think.

Doing what's right, even if it's wrong

I wish I could be fearless. And although I really despise Taylor Swift at times for her giddy, heartfelt pre-teen tunes, I thoroughly enjoyed this song on my drive in to work this morning.

It's a song that makes me re-feel every emotion of falling in love. And love is truly is about diving "head first, fearless." I think I'm learning to be this way about relationships...just jumping in, taking chances and facing challenges as they come.

As much as I hate it and as much as it stresses me out sometimes, I love that feeling of not knowing what's going to happen next. I've always seen myself as more guarded...more of the "planner/organizer" type and not so much "go with the flow." But I've made a conscious effort to change that, and overall, I've been HAPPIER since making that decision. So, sometimes you have to block everyone else out to be selfish and confident, and do what you feel is right...even if it ends up being completely wrong.

Beyonce - Double time!

Today is a DOUBLE feature day, because one song from this artist is never good enough alone! Hahaha! Beyonce. The queen. Not only does she rock as Jay-Z's arm candy at a variety of events and in videos, but also Beyonce lights up the scene (or at least YouTube) with a number of creative, jealousy-reaping dance videos. And since my friend made me hate the song "Single Ladies," I had to come up with some quality Beyonce songs that don't remind me of her.

The first song, "Halo" will hit you with sweet melodies like an 80's rock ballad. No matter how hard I try to sing this song, it just doesn't sound as good as BK (maybe it's 'cuz she's from Texas?!) And yes, I used to sing in a number of choirs professionally and took voice lessons, so I'm realistically somewhat musically inclined.

I am also a huge fan of the clapping noise in the backround. See Mute Math's "Spotlight (Twilight Remix)" for more of this, more intensely. And if you're really looking for a good time, be sure to watch Robert Pattinson exit a car with an ear-to-ear smile and vintage RayBan's while you listen to this one.

The second song of the day is most definitely "Ego," a title that Beyonce shares with mastermind Kanye West. His lyrics and cocky tone throughout the song really make it a feel-good piece. Beyonce couldn't do this one alone, that's for sure. This song is the perfect playful mix.

And the honorable mention goes to: "Sweet Dreams"

All three songs are GREAT for getting you into the Valentine's Day spirit, which I was initially boycotting, but now am deciding to embrace. All about how you approach things...

Just kidding with Kid Cudi

Thank God for great friends that pull you out of stupid funks.  Suddenly, I am feeling refreshed.  Got home from work, ate a delicious cheeseburger and sat down at my computer in hopes of finding the perfect song for the day.  I chose a playlist on my iTunes that I like to call "Dani's Lake Mix" and I cannot take credit for all the good content of the playlist.  I spent a significant amount of time at my BFF's lake house this past summer (yes, I just said BFF).  Now listen: this was my first time going to THE lake and I experienced a lot of firsts in my life.  Here are a few:

1.  First time swimming in a lake

2.  First time jumping off a dock

3.  First time jumping off a boat

4.  First time cliff jumping (painful...)

5.  First time tubing

6.  First time on a 4-wheeler

It was a pretty fabulous summer, I'm not gonna lie.  And the soundtrack of the summer gives me nothing more than GREAT memories with GREAT friends!   So, the one song that got me out of this funk today was Kid Cudi's "Made Her Say."  A wonderful collaboration of pop culture that stimulates the senses and makes you want to get up and dance...at a place with mirrored walls, fuchsia lighting and disco balls!  You know, the usual.

Anyway, other songs on this mix include (because I know you care): "Paper Planes" by MIA, "US Placers" by Lupe Fiasco, "I Love College" by Asher Roth, "This Town" by OAR and "Dirt Off Your Shoulders (Bittersweet Symphony)" by Jay-Z and the Verve.  BEAUTIFUL!  

But seriously, go watch this video from Kid Cudi if you haven't yet and prepare to be dazzled.

Stress and self-sabotage

Today has been uber frustrating and I can't find the right song to fit. I've been overwhelmingly unproductive and there is not one clear thought in my mind right now. The fact that my contact lens is messed up and making my right eye blurry, just seems like a metaphor for my life right now. I'm leaning toward the following:

"I hate everthing about you" - Three Days Grace
"Reckless" - Papa Roach
"All the same" - Sick Puppies

Needless to say, I had a rough weekend full of stress and self-sabotage. And now, just letting it all sink in. Kind of makes me sick. Things I would need to make myself feel better about life/my weekend: a private chartered jet from St. Louis to Columbia (at any and all times of the day), a glass of lemonade...oh, and my sanity. Yes, please! But really, not even that would make it right.

However, there were some good things about my weekend: McDonald's iced coffee, awesome friends, live music, Budweiser, my delicious chili, pinot noir, catch phrase, football and going running in the snow. Not too shabby, eh?

Still sipping Mai Tais

I love anything and everything NEW YORK!  My family is from Long Island and I dream of living there someday...maybe...for a few months.  Not sure if I'm cut out for NY living, but I'd like to try it.  This song is overplayed now, but I think it really captures the essence of the Big Apple. Being in NY is feeling free for me.  Thank you Jay-Z for feeding my "Empire State of Mind."

"Yeah I'm out at Brooklyn
Now I'm down in Tribeca
Right next to DeNiro
But I'll be hood forever
I'm the new Sinatra
And since I made it here
I can make it anywhere
Yeah they love me everywhere
I used to cop in Harlem
All of my Dominicanos 
Right there off of Broadway
Brought me back to that McDonalds
Took it to my stash spot
560 State Street
Catch me in the kitchen like Simmons whipping Pastry
Cruising down 8th street
Off-white Lexus
Driving so slow 
but BK, is from Texas
Me I'm out that BedStuy
Home of that boy Biggie
now I live on Billboard
and I brought my boys with me
Say what up to Ta-ta
Still sipping Mai Tais
Sitting courtside
Knicks and Nets give me high-5
N**ga, I be Spiked out
I could trip a referee
...tell by my attitude that I'm MOST DEFINITELY FROM...

New York!!!!
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There's nothing you can’t do,
Now you're in New York!!!
These streets will make you feel brand new,
the lights will inspire you,
Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York."

Check out the music video here.

First.blog.EVER!

I've wanted to write a blog for the longest time, but had no idea what to write about.  It's taken a lot of time and a lot of thought. But today, things feel different; better.  And I realized that the music we listen to says a lot about us.  I relate to music a LOT and "I Feel It All" by Feist inspired me write this to some degree, hence the name of the blog.  Although my boyfriend says that this song "freaks him out," I think it's fabulous and intelligent and true.  

So, this blog will mainly be about music and whatever my "song of the day" is that correlates with my mood, but other random ramblings may occur.  

"I feel it all I feel it all
The wings are wide the wings are wide
Wild card inside wild card inside

Oh I'll be the one who'll break my heart
I'll be the one to hold the gun

I know more than I knew before
I know more than I knew before
I didn't rest I didn't stop
Did we fight or did we talk

Oh I'll be the one who'll break my heart
I'll be the one to hold the gun

I love you more
I love you more
I don't know what I knew before
But now I know I wanna win the war"