Music obsessions lately

Really bad 90s music. 

And I must see Wynonna in concert I have decided - I have been so into her lately. Doesn't look like it'll happen since I"m not paying $75 for the Cerritos Center.

Anyone remember their reality show on Oprah's network a few weeks back? That was really fascinating to see how interconnected Wynonna and Naomi were. It was intriguing to see how they relied on each other, and their triggers. 

Bonding with my kids over music

I always enjoy being in the classroom and discussing music with the kids. I'm that guy that knows all about the artist and background for writing the songs, even if I don't like the song.

So obviously I know about Tupac, and yes, he is alive; I taught him I tell the kids, and we go out to dinner regularly.

So what's weird is I work in a largely hispanic area, and this year I'm bonding with 3 of my annoying hispanic kids over country music. I will go so far as to play country music for them if they shut up and do their work... Here's the songs they like... I've asked what they like, and its that they sound Mexican, and his a guitar. Apparently this ended up on their youtube playlist, and they like it.





Every year I have kids that absolutely love Riiiitchie, and I love Riiitchie too.

When I was at the middle school, each year, I had kids with his album covers on their folders.

Oh, and while on my Ritchie story, our accountant at work was Lou Diamond Phillips from La Bamba for Halloween.

Some interesting other songs the kids are into this year are:

Sam Cooke


Bobby Vinton


He's so Fine - The Chiffons

And I decided for Halloween this year I'm growing my hair out, dying it black, and am going to be a Greaser.




Dion


Randy and the Rainbows


Johnny Angel

And Doo Wop Diddies like this:


So this past semester my 7th period class was full of these songs on the daily if the kids were doing their work.

Long list, but these are all the songs we played that I specifically recall. I am posting since I was so impressed with their diverse love of the oldies.

My roadtrip playlist

So I keep getting an email from a reader/start up website about my roadtrip playlist, and well, I like the idea, so here it goes...

Starting with the ubiqitous...


This song just reminds me of driving and the "places"


Yet to be on a roadtrip with this song, but I need to be, soon


If its rainy and overcast out, this is a msut


Another rainy must






Now if My Partner is in the car, we must add these:



Austin!!! The only song, ever, that Blake should sing.


Unfortunately I just found myself having to sell my tickets to DC. DEVASTATED.


And love my Kandi Burruss

TBT Music

I remember thinking how creepy this music video was, and annoying the song was, but I caught it on 90s on 9 the other day on Sirius XM, and well, its been in my mind ever since.




I woke up with this song in my head this morning and couldn't remember his name, I knew it was Josh, Josh Groban, Graves, all sorts of things came to me, but it wasn't until a half hour later or so I remembered.

Went to the chiropractor and got adjusted yesterday. I feel amazing again. It is crazy how horrible my posture is, how once I'm adjusted I can really feel the difference.

Have a 2 hour massage next week.

My stupid principal is on the shit list right now - he's ignoring my emails and changes the subject when I talk to him about my comp hours and taking 2 days off. He's such a hypocrite.

I had my 3rd fight of my teaching career break out in my room today. I had one my first year, I had 2 big girls my final year at middle school, then this one. Why would 2 girls that hate each other sit next to each other?

It's been a shitty week on the shit scale, it was definitely a 10 out of 10. I found myself drinking and inviting the new VP to the local bar for a drink. Tuesday night I came home and made super strong Manhattans. Tonight I needed another drink.

Oh, and tomorrow night is drinky night, as termed by the new VP. The security guy, accountant, the female science teacher who doesn't brush her hair, and myself, are all hitting up his favorite bar for drinkies, as he put it.

The VP dated my cousin's best friend. I learned more about him and her than I ever needed to know. It is crazy. He's a nice guy, so I'm considering him a friend and he invited me, and he's paying, so why not?

Does anyone listen to 50s on 5 on Sirius? Brenda Lee and Connie Francis are every other song I swear, which this one is a nice diddy.

Some thinkings of me

I have had a crazy ton of songs stuck in my head lately - here are some - not all of them are necessarily quality or favorites, but I keep hearing:





--- LOVE THIS SONG

 --- An amazing song

They were pretty dang good in concert last night ---


- Saw Brandi too, she was very good

Saw No Doubt a few nights ago at the same concert...


Also been super busy with work pulling 8 hour or more days - I've been acting principal, teaching, testing coordinator/tester, on nearly every committee... all because of my admin credential

Had the most amazing weekend wtih my partner. Love him more and more. I was thinking the other day how I truly love and share everything with him, and care so much.

Bought a Chromebook the other day. It is fun, but can't access the portal for my online class. Ended up giving it to my dad in the meantime. I have a feeling one is in his future.

Wreckingball

It seems to be the buzzword in songs right now...

All I am saying is Miley started it...


Then Eric Church did something with it...


Blake Shelton - Sangria


Like Dear Blake, "wreckingball, dancing down the hall," what does wreckingball have to do with getting ready to get it on?

Rachel Platten - Fight Song


And you are a fighter, so wreckingball is appropriate I guess?

In my book, only Eric and Miley get cred for their wreckingballs.

And this is beyond sexy on an unrelated note.
http://www.kiisfm.com/onair/letty-b-56397/nick-jonas-wears-actual-chains-at-13782842/

Keith Urban's songs all sound the same

Anyone hear that same guitar melody throughout these 2? This urks me beyond belief. Be creative, damn it.

Spanish Harlem

It wasn't until I heard Frankie Valli sing it that I appreciated and began to love the song.

And it wasn't until I heard Frankie Valli sing it that I knew "Spanish Harlem" was a place... and I want to visit it... I have only been up in Harlem once, and it was by accident. I also want to visit up by Columbia... haha

RIP Ben E. King

Did you know Spanish Harlem was written by Phil Spector?






Oh, and speaking of Frankie Valli, I bawled in Jersey Boys, the movie, when his daughter died. I was on the plane headed to NYC.

Oh, and on another tangent I would be the person going through Spanish Harlem playing this song as I did. And when I go to NY the ubiquitous song I have to play on my iPhone before I arrive is "Empire State of Mind"E



And anytime I am leaving on a jetplane I have to play this song.

Toes in the water ass in the sand

Tomorrow I will. In Hawaii on a cruise around Hawaii on NCL.

Cruise is ok. Cruise workers here are a mix of like McDonald's equivalent workers in the US and Applebees bartenders I would say. It has its mix of white trash workers, too. The unique thing about this ship is the majority of the workers are Americans, a rarity in the cruise business. The cruise has been ok - hard to meet people on NCL with freestyle dining. Also, none of the service has been over the top, which my partner equates to having all of these Americans. Same with the service at the resorts - too many Americans - not that great of service.

We are trying to get used to this laid back pace in Hawaii. Seriously, 3 minutes or 4 to go a mile? WTF? It should be a minute a mile. And people drive so slowly. And they drive some real buckets here. We did Road to Hana, which I don't recommend, and seriously, there were random cars like at the side of the road that were all beat up. We ran into an old Isuzu Trooper in the WalMart parking lot on bricks, hood missing, and windows shot out. There's some nice cars. We got a sexy Cadillac to rent and drive.

Currently we are in Maui, and that hasn't impressed us much. Slow pace. Nothing that has just been so pretty or so amazing.

I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand
Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand
Life is good today Life is good today
Well, the plane touched down just about three o'clock
And the city's still on my mind
Bikinis and palm trees danced in my head
I was still in the baggage line
Concrete and cars are there own prison bars like this life I'm living in
But the plane brought me farther
I'm surrounded by water
And I'm not going back again
I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand
Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand
Life is good today Life is good today
Adiós and vaya con Dios
Yeah I'm leaving GA
And if it weren't for tequila and pretty senoritas
I'd have no reason to stay
Adiós and vaya con Dios
Yeah I'm leaving GA
Gonna lay in the hot sun and roll a big fat one
And grab my guitar and play
Four days flew by like a drunk Friday night
As the summer drew to an end
They can't believe that I just couldn't leave
And I bid adieu to my friends
Because my bartender she's from the islands
Her body's been kissed by the sun
And coconut replaces the smell of the bar
And I don't know if its her or the rum
I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand
Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand
Life is good today Life is good today
Adiós and vaya con Dios
A long way from GA
Yes and all the muchachas they call me big poppa
When I throw pesos their way
Adiós and vaya con Dios
A long way from GA
Someone do me a favor and pour me some Jaeger
And I'll grab my guitar and play
Adiós and vaya con Dios
Going home now to stay
The senoritas don't care-o when there's no dinero
You got no money to stay
Adiós and vaya con Dios
Going home now to stay
And put my ass in a lawn chair
Toes in the clay
Not a worry in the world a PBR on the way
Life is good today
Life is good today
- Zac Brown Band/Toes

Music Weekend

I cannot get enough of this new one...
Heartbeat Song


Nick Jonas - Jealous
Jealous of his body.


Ed Sheeran - Don't
His stuff just sounds different than all else out there.


And an oldie

Love me some Supremes.

And one more.

You know I love my country boys

MAJOR PROPS TO TY HERNDON AND BILLY GILMAN. Both are beyond hot!!!




He should. His voice is incredible. And he's gay. And that's what Nashville needs.



And my favorite Ty Herndon song.



Cheryl Wright also deserves big props. She has been ousted from the country community and going a more alternative country route. She has a coming out bio story on Netflix.








Now we just need Kenny to come out!

Songs to get me through the week

Heard this on Dr. Laura's show the other day - yes - Dr. Laura - don't ask. And I haven't heard it in years.



And this song has been in heavy rotation in the car on my partner's phone



And the way Nicki's ass moves in this song... but on another note I burst out singing this in class for my class - only the chorus. They didn't think I knew cool music. I said Nicki was my girl. The voice. Nicki. You just sound so childish.



Because I saw them the other night, and am all over them.


Oh, and all these songs fit so well on my new iPhone 6, which is as sexy as can be.

Bits of news

That new iPhone is sexy. Damn sexy. I want a 5.5'' because I'm a size queen. That's on my to buy list this month.

So is the watch. I have missed reports on the battery/charging for that.

I tried to watch the address, but I ended up having to go to work.

In other news, Mike's best friend had been visiting for the past week. They went on a cruise this past weekend. I went to visit my cousin in SD with my mom. We had a blast. Wish we were closer distance wise. Took a few ussies to commemorate the occasion. Back to his friend. Had fun seeing Mike's best friend as she's the opposite of Mike in many ways, and feels sorry for the way he torments... haha... or things he does. It's not bad... like he'll poke my leg when we drive, or he'll pull the hair on my leg to be funny. He tried to do that to her. I react, which makes it amusing.

Need a weekend getaway STAT.

Also need to do brunch/hang out with my former coworkers. Miss them like crazy.

Work has been crazy because of a coworker making drama and internalizing everything. Some people need to get over themselves. I am keeping my distance, but it has caused me to have to recreate my entire course.

I'm on a folksy/oldies kick lately. Here's what I'm listening to at the moment:





Eric Burdon has a SoCal hangout I want to go back and visit - kind of a weird bar in the middle of nowhere. Visited on a random road trip one weekend. Its outside of 29 Palms.

Songs

I'm so lucky I've got to go to so many concerts this year... Dolly, Cher/Cyndi, Reba... 

Coming up next month we are going to go see Jennifer Nettles. She's country with a little rock mixed in.

I WILL NOT miss Chris Cagle when he comes into my area in November. I have missed him 3-4 times. It looks like I'll be going to this concert alone as he's too twangy for my partner.

And I want to go see Luke Bryan badly at the Hollywood Bowl. Those tickets sold out FAST - I didn't even have a moment to get my hands on them. My partner and I want to go with our favorite bartender from our favorite restaurant. She's in love with him, as am I. We just don't want to pay $125+ for seats in the last few rows. Luke Bryan and an outdoor picnic with wine under the LA sky would be so amazing. 

This is a Woman's World

And I will be celebrating that with Cher tonight!!!
Along with Cyndi Lauper!!!



Have reservations at a new Italian restaurant, hotel next to the venue, and we can't wait!!!

KOLA 99.9 Variety

Ok... so KOLA has expanded their playlist to 70s-90s, and deemed it classic hits. Well, there's a lot they are missing, so here it goes.

They play a few Mariah Carey songs, the occasional BSB song, Smash Mouth, and No Doubt song.

They really should expand their playlist. I feel that one of the biggest issues is a lot of stations repeat songs to adnauseum (see KFROG). I get tired of that same thing. I have a lot of songs, as I know many do, on their iPods with more variety. We even have those really embarrassing songs (Two Princes - Spindoctors or Hootie and the Blowfish). A few of those songs here and there aren't bad.

KOLA could benefit by adding in more variety

90s Songs
- No Doubt - Spiderwebs
- Billy Ray Cyrus - Achy Breaky Heart (file under embarrassing)
- I Love You Always Forever - Donna Lewis
- Celine Dion (My Heart Will Go On, It's All Coming Back to Me Now)
- The Cranberries (Dreams or Linger)
- Christina Aguleria (What A Girl Wants)
- TLC (Waterfalls)
- MC Hammer (Cant' Touch This)
- Enya
- Sting (Desert Rose, Fields of Gold, If I Ever Lose My Faith In You)

80s Songs
Abba (Dancing Queen, Mama Mia)
America (You Can Do Magic)
Deneice Williams - Let's Hear it For the Boy
Duran Duran - Girls on Film, Rio,
Dwight Yoakam - Guitars Cadillacs (embarrassing)
Juice Newton - Queen of Hearts
Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes
Depeche Mode - Can't Just Get Enough
Annie Lenox (No More I Love Yous, Walking on Broken Glass)
Your Love - The Outfield
Promises in the Dark, Shadows of the Night - Pat Benatar
Pet Shop Boys (West End Town, Being Boring)
The Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Kathy Mattea - Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses

70s Songs
Van Morrison - Domino
Crosby Stills and Nash
Frankie Valli
Bee Gees (How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, I Started a Joke)
Cher - Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves
Sonny and Cher
John Denver - Country Roads, etc.



60s Songs with a  Folk/California sound
- The Beatles
- The Beach Boys
- The Supremes
- Bobbie Gentry
- Buffalo Springfield - For What Its Worth
- Marvin Gaye
- Jan and Dean (and others who have the California sound)
- The Troggs - Wild Thing, Love Is All Around
- The Mamas and Papas
- Simon and Garfunkel - Sound of Silence, etc.
- Paul Simon - Loves Me Like a Rock
- Peter Paul and Mary


Shout out to WJLT Evansville, which I often listen to since they have quite a few 60s in their classic playlist.

What is wrong with KFROG 95.1

I'm sick and tired of KFROG. I cannot listen to it. 

I despise the Frogmen in the Morning, Scott and Tommy. I dislike everything that comes out of their mouths. 

And I was in the car at various points today, and here's what I heard:

9:05 - Blake Shelton - Doin' What She Likes

10:06 - Blake Shelton - Doin' What She Likes

11:15 - Blake Shelton - HoneyBee

11:35 - Keith Urban - Cop Car

12:15 - Blake Shelton - Doin' What She Likes

12:30 - Keith Urban - Cop Car

This was just as I was flipping the radio and landed on the frog I heard this. Can you say repetitive? 

And their throwback Thursday hits they're playing? Yeah, 1 song every few hours from a few years ago to the 90s. What a lack of variety. 

What's good this week - new and old music

Here's what I am playing on my iPhone this week.

Gay in Nashville

I was reading one of my new blogger friend's archives the other day, and not only did I discover he was a country music fan, which scores major points in my book, but he posted an article I knew nothing of.

I had heard the name Shane McNally before, so I'm not that so far behind, but I knew nothing of him - a gay country songwriter who is behind some of country music's biggest hits right now.

He's got lots of articles about him - here, NY Times, and the Washington Post.

A lot of his songs are some of my favorites I discovered -

Last Call - LeAnn Wommack
Somewhere With You - Kenny Chesney <-- a="" and="" every="" gay="" have="" heard="" i="" it="" like="" lol.="" nbsp="" p="" relationship...="" song="" sounded="" this="" time="">Come Over - Kenny Chesney
A few of The Band Perry's songs
Tie It Up - Kelly Clarkson <-- equated="" funny="" gay="" he="" heard="" immediately="" it="" marriage="" my="" p="" partner="" this="" to="" when="">


Oh, and Lady A too... Downtown. Love that song, and the line "I've got a dress that'll show a little uh-uh, but you ain't getting unh-uh unless you come pick me up..."



And Miranda Lambert's "Mama's Broken Heart"

We have places to go

So lots of vacationing coming up...

I'm vacationing on another cruise with my parents next week. It was super cheap - less than $250 for 5 days/4 nights, going on a quick jaunt down to Mexico. And they say I never spend time with them. Thank my partner for encouraging me to go.

I NEED A VEGAS BREAK SOON. Last year we went to Vegas like 4 times over 2 months, and well, I miss it. I wanna park myself like its hot at a slot machine and make it rain. Then I want to find some amazing drinks and happy hours. And shop. That's my plan. Gonna press Mike to go soon. I've been pushing. He'll probably say "it's too damn hot."

And well, NY for the holiday season. SO EXCITED. AGAIN. It is our annual tradition. So, our friends from the cruise, Mike's friend Kat, and myself, are trying to plan a NYE in a house on Martha's Vineyard or somewhere fancysmancy like that, or in a mountainy area with lots of snow. We are super excited. While in NYC I MUST MUST MUST see "Beautiful," Carole King's biography that basically became a Broadway show. I'm not sure it's Mike's cup of tea, but I just read her biography, and love her music. Her songs are just brilliant. Brilliant play on words. So, here's some Carole King for ya... and me.






My favorite line is "when my show was in the lost and found..."


Little Eva was her kids' babysitter.

I want to get to OKC to see my cousins. Indiana is also on my list to see my family there. So many places to go and so little money. Boo.

Oh, and it drives Mike crazy that I love those oldies... and trivia.

And I want to go see Elton John at Staples Center in October. Expensive I'm sure.


Oh,and Bobbie Gentry is currently in heavy rotation on my iTunes right now. Love the folksy sound. The Closet Professor posted her song "Ode to Billy Joe," and I've been playing her ever since...