Let's try this again.

Here it is, New Year's Eve eve, and I haven't posted anything. All. Year. Long.

New Year's Resolution - be slightly more productive here. Won't be hard (see above).

Fantastic brunch with friends today, shared a fun movie and music with young friends. Made yummy soup. And reflected on just how great my life has been this year.

Working on a New Year's mixtape - after 14 years of the Christmas mixed named "Ben Jammin'" in honor of our son, and a few years of bitter complaints from our daughter, the annual Holiday Hangover mix has been rechristened: Anna Happy New Year. Annalise has been appeased.

List to come.

By the way...

Purchased the first Christmas album of the year today. October 24. Now it REALLY feels like fall.

soft curve in your hardline

All signs to the contrary, I am not dead nor have I completely given up on this blog...I blame facebook and my children. And maybe glee.

I have continued to make mixtapes, so I'll post playlists in order from my most recent mix.

soft curve in your hardline

October 2011

Can't Stop / MoZella: featured on an episode of Castle, season 2. Delightful showcase for Nathan Fillion.

You've Got the Makings of a Lover / Mayer Hawthorne: looks like Buddy Holly. Sounds like old-school Stax Records of the 60's and 70's.

Who Will Comfort Me / Melody Gardot

Parachute (Acoustic Version) / Ingrid Michaelson: because this version is even better than the original recording. There are about 30 YouTube video versions of this song live - watch a few.

All Day and All of the Night / The Kinks: heard this at a roller derby bout in Oakland in August, then about once a week in random places until I finally put it on a mix.

Not Foolin' Around Tonight / Butterfly Boucher

Double Trouble / Jack and White: kinda like She & Him.

King of Diamonds / Motopony: groovy...

Wonderful (The Way I Feel) / My Morning Jacket: very sweet.

Song for Lovers / Ellery

Home / Matthew Perryman Jones

Hardliners / Holcombe Waller: light and ethereal, really sticks with you.

A Love Story / Thomas Dybdahl: free download from Starbucks wifi, no telling where terrific things will come from...from where terrific things will come?

On A Day Just Like Today / Gabe Dixon

Free My Mind / Katie Herzig

Queen of (K)nots / Matt Nathanson

I'll Be Waiting / Adele: is it bad that I thank the asshole who broke Adele's heart on a daily basis?

Just Fine / Mary J. Blige: tiny bit of a guilty pleasure, from Jazzercise - great message (so I like what I see when I'm lookin' at me / when I'm walking past the mirror).

Don't Blame the World, It's the DJ's Fault / Cobra Starship: fun and fabulous.

The Cure for Your Holiday Hangover (Vol. 2)

This is the second year I've created a mix immediately following Christmas - as one who begins listening and selecting holiday-themed music in October, by the time Boxing Day hits, I need a break.  So here is The Cure for Your Holiday Hangover 2.

1. Supermassive Black Hole - Muse::  The first of 3, yes - 3 songs from the Twilight movie soundtrack. Here's the conversation I have with myself on a daily basis: "Self, what are you, 13? Put that book/soundtrack/blog down and clean your house/play with your children/cook a meal!" Sometimes, it even works.  I like the energy of this song, the faux-metal touches.  And the vampires look very cute in their old-fashioned baseball uniforms in the movie.

2. Beautiful - Goldfrapp:: After the first cut, this seemed an excellent choice to follow.  From the Sex & the City Soundtrack, Vol. 2.  Sweet harmonies in the chorus, love the synthesizer (one of many '80s touches on this mix).

3. Green Light - John Legend with Andre 3000:: This was a freebie from Starbucks, and I like it more than most.  My favorite line sung: Do I have a girlfriend? Well, technically, no.  My favorite line spoken: I hope you're more like Anita Baker than Robin Givens...  

4.  Rock & Roll - Eric Hutchinson::  After seeing this youngster (ha!) on a webisode of Live from Daryl's House, I found this (see also, Sinners/Saints).  I'm sure I'll be getting the rest of that, too.

5.  Half Speed - LaRocca::  from a Paste Magazine Sampler CD.  There's something a little old-fashioned about this, and I am a huge sucker for easy harmony in a chorus.  I also like the the idea of slowing down to appreciate what you've got - Now I'm moving at half speed, where once I ran.

6. I Can't Wait - Nu Shooz:: a slightly jazzy, slowed-down version of a top-40 hit from the '80s. Same artists, great vocal from Valerie Day; I love the original, but like this possibly even more.

7. All We Are - Matt Nathanson::  Sweet husband bought the Some Mad Hope album for my birthday, so now I have all the songs and am compelled to share them.

8. Hallelujah - Brandi Carlile:: One of the best songs ever, sung with heart-wrenching passion by one of my favorite female singer-songwriters to come out of the Seattle area in the past few years.  I remember in March of 2007, walking downtown Seattle during the national Main Street conference with friend Jill, seeing signs for her upcoming concert in a tiny venue near our hotel. If we had been in town a few more days, we could have seen her perform in an intimate club. Not anymore...

9. Just Like Heaven - The Watson Twins:: Probably my favorite familiar song from The Cure, taken down a few notches.  Another '80s touch, I know.  Just go with it.

10. Acid Tongue - Jenny Lewis:: I went to the cobbler to fix a hole in my shoe; he took one look at my face and said, "I can fix that hole in you." Great story, even if dropping acid is part of it. Just say no to drugs, kids.

11. Don't Wanna Die Lonely - Nick Pagliari:: Something about his voice is so appealing to me, and there's that tambourine in the chorus. From a Paste CD.  The last three or so have been really, really good.  I can usually find 2-3 songs on most samplers that I like, maybe 1-2 worthy of being on a mix, but I still haven't run out, and the next CD is due any day.  So happy.

12. Boogie Nights - Heatwave:: Disco cannot be denied.

13. Heaven - Bitter:Sweet:: The complex orchestration of this band's songs is so cool - so much to listen to, but with a great beat that you can really dance to, as well!

14. Second Hand News - The Green Cards:: More '80s - Fleetwood Mac is remarkably adaptable for country artists.  And I'm feeling the fiddles in this version. 

15. Vodka - Victoria Hart:: Live music in Walla Walla Update...during the snowiest of the snow, the folks from Neither Here Nor There, the best Walla Walla radio variety show that's not on the radio, put on a stellar holiday show.  Featuring the Part-Time Band, Adam Kirtley with The Rogues and without, Jeffrey Townsend and Sarah Koenigsberg brought the house down, beginning with a lovely version of my favorite holiday song this year, Winter Song (see Ben Jammin' 2008) and ending with an outrageous D**k in a Box.  This was the adult version of the show, I assure you.  When Jeffrey started talking about Wednesday and I knew immediately that he was going to sing "Business Time" in public, I nearly peed my pants.  And this song (brought into the 'holiday' genre by way of office parties) was my favorite of all - Sarah torched it up good!

16. Leave Out All the Rest - Linkin Park:: Maybe I really AM 13?!  Trust me, it's a catchy tune, also from the Twilight soundtrack.

17. Song for the Dixie Chicks - The Sarah Mac Band:: The title caught me and drew me in, the melancholy disillusionment coupled with the hopeful anthem of the chorus kept me captivated. Over the top?  Maybe. I can't seem to fight my attraction to thoughtful, heartfelt singer-songwriters. Shout out to Claire on bass - check out the Awakening album on their MySpace page.

18. Takes So Long - The Weepies:: From their latest album, Hideaway, Deb Talan's voice is among my favorites.  Very distinctive.  Great, thoughtful lyrics.  I can relate to the line about cutting her hair and growing it back - takes so long. 

19. Flightless Bird, American Mouth - Iron & Wine:: Again with the Twilight soundtrack. Admittedly the most grown-up of the songs on the album, it's delicate and a little ethereal. It plays during the prom scene, if you're familiar with the books/movie, a very sweet scene. Lovely.

The snow is melting quickly - it's 46 degrees with light wind as I write this at 11:30 pm. Pavement is actually visible on our street, and you can almost reach the speed limit without fear. Life is returning to normal, and I am relieved.  Happy New Year!

So much snow it makes me nauseous

It's overwhelming.  The memories of winter in Bozeman are very strong as the snow continues to fall in Walla Walla.  Eight days, with another 5-7 days' worth in the forecast.  I am ready to be done with this winter storm crap.

Yes, the kids and the dog really enjoy it. Yes, it makes everything hushed and still and shrouded in mystery.  I couldn't care less.  I'm cold.  My beloved Vangina ('04 Dodge Grand Caravan) gets stuck in the most inconvenient places.  I am grateful to live in a place where strangers get out of their cars and help push me out, cheerfully even.  But I'm worried about the downtown businesses who make or break their bottom line based on holiday sales.  I'm worried about the restaurants sitting empty while families hibernate at home.  See?  It's not ALL about me...

I've stopped wishing for a Chinook wind to come through and melt everything - major flooding would result, and I can't see any benefit in that.  A slow thaw is what it will have to be.  

How about starting now?  At this moment, it looks like we'll be on our own for Christmas Day, since there's roughly twice the amount of snow at the family cabin than the 24-28 inches we have in town, and the road between Walla Walla and Tri-Cities is in pretty bad condition, so the family is staying there, and we are staying here. Not terrible, but certainly different.

Tomorrow, I'll count my blessings; I'll find plenty to be happy about.  But right now, I'm pouting.

New for Christmas!

We've welcomed a new member to the family - a 4-year old female black lab named Teca (Tek'-ah).  She came to us via Walla Walla Shares, thanks to my sister who has been trying to get another dog into our house ever since Zoey left us.  Something about this girl's picture and description from the previous owner really got to us. She lived in a busy household - three teenagers and a preschooler, plus 2 daycare kids; two other dogs plus several cats. The dogs spent lots of time outside in a kennel, which was not the best for her joints; Teca would try very hard to keep up with the other dogs and wind up sore and limping.  She needed a house where she was the center of attention (check), where a gentle walk once or twice a day was the norm (check), and where she could spend her days inside, comfortable and warm (check).  She has settled in nicely, has gotten very good at walking with me (not jerking my arm out of the socket) most mornings (except these damn snow days...), and has quickly grown to love her new family - and vice versa.  She knows several commands - sit, lay down, off, drop, and my personal favorite, out of the kitchen!

There is absolutely more training to be done, and we REALLY need a Furminator, but this is a happy turn of events.

Christmas! Ben Jammin' 2008...

Three weeks between posts - Unforgivable?  Despicable? Lazy? Alright, I hear your voices in my head - I'll cut myself some slack. This is my busiest time of year at work - Parade of Lights?  Hot Cocoa with Santa, anyone?  Anyway, Ben Jammin', the annual Christmas Mixtape, has been in circulation for nearly that long, so I'd better get the playlist out there:

Ben Jammin' 2008

Why Can't It Be Christmastime All Year? - Rosie Thomas (Because it makes my hips twitch. Full of Christmas excitement.)

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Harry Connick, Jr.  (Third holiday album.  And I love them all.)

Christmastime in Tinseltown - Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy  (I like that Santa in Tinseltown picks pockets, but he's still a likable guy.)

What Do Bad Girls Get? - Joan Osborne  (Good question.)

Home for Christmas - Hall & Oates (There can be no mix without an '80's reference. Seriously.)

Little Town - Over the Rhine (Hands down, my favorite Christmas CD from 2007, and I can't say any of the new releases have surpassed it.  My highest recommendation - and this reworking of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" is lovely.)

My Holiday - Mindy Smith (Such a sweet and pure voice, and a sweet sentiment to boot.)

O Come O Come Emmanuel - Joshua Jackson (I really like this band [see "New Love Song" on The Proof I Use To Measure What Is True - September] and I actively seek out holiday songs by people I already like.  So far, this method has not let me down.)

My Dear Acquaintence/Happy New Year - Regina Specktor (Reflective, slightly melancholoy - exactly what a New Year's anthem should be.)

I Need a Silent Night - Amy Grant (From my formative youth, Amy Grant's Christmas albums were my favorite.  So now she has a Greatest Christmas Hits recording - I have everything else already, but this one was interesting to me; the spirit of the season getting lost in the hustle and bustle and to do lists. Plus, a small child reciting a Bible verse in the style of Linus!)

Wildwood Carol - Holly Cole (I love when a song I only know as an instrumental turns out to have lyrics after all.  I love the power of her voice.)

Sleigh Ride/Marshmallow World - Kristin Chenoweth with John Pizzarelli (Two of my favorite fun carols, blended together by two shining stars of the stage.  When Kristin growls out, "I'm FREEZING!" at the end?  I laugh every time.  I am so easily amused.)

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Matt Belsante (Trying to be the next Michael Buble.  I'll withhold my judgment until I hear more, but this is a very nice version.)

Underneath the Mistletoe - Blondfire (Don't know much about them, but I like!  Just enough pop to keep me happy.)

Season's Greetings - Robbers on High Street (This makes me think of British Invasion-era boy bands.  And I mean that in a good way.)

All My Bells are Ringing - Lenka (Any song that begins with the lyric, "Ooo bop ba, ooo bop ba," is a winner in my book.  From the Hotel Cafe Winter Songs CD, my favorite release this year.  Still not as good as Snow Angels from Over the Rhine, but sublime in its own way.)

Toy Packaging - Sara Groves (The sound effects alone are priceless.  If you are a parent, you'll know.)

The 12 Days of Christmas - Straight No Chaser (men's acapella group from Indiana U. Many of their performances on youtube; this one has over 8 million views, my friends and family were responsible for at least 25 this year alone.  The original group graduated 10 years ago, and recently got together and recorded an anniversary Christmas Album.  Anyhoo, found it thanks to the *%$! holiday store at iTunes, and showing remarkable restraint, only bought this song.)

Love Came Down at Christmas - Jars of Clay (My favorite part is the descant at the end with the lyrics of "Children Go Where I Send Thee.")

Christmas Night - Lenny LeBlanc (I usually find a lovely Christmas song by an 'inspirational' artist each year - this is the one for '08)

Still, Still, Still - Mary Chapin Carpenter (This album is really nice.  Mellow, no drama, just Mary's familiar voice, a little lower, a little rougher with the passage of time.  And here's another example of a song I loved as in instrumental before I knew the joy of singing along.)

Winter Song  - Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson (The Holy Grail of my holiday music search this year!  My two favorite female singer/songwriters, singing and writing together!  Who could ask for anything more?)