So, here are 10 things that I highly recommend....I have a feeling that this list will be music-heavy, but I'll try to keep it relatively even-spread. :) (And no, these are in no particular order)
#10: Anything by A Fine Frenzy
First, let's get one thing straight - A Fine Frenzy is NOT a band. Alison Monro IS A Fine Frenzy. And she, as well as her voice, IS beautiful.
I say I recommend anything by her, which is very much true...but may I suggest your first three downloads (and yes, in this order): Almost Lover (Remix Edit - NOT the original), Near to You, and Blow Away. Yes, the latter of those is much more upbeat then the other two, buttttt the other two are quite possibly two of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. The lyrics are so poignant and deep...LOVE HER!
Video for Blow Away:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7N5L1yCFUc
Video for Near to You (Not an actual music video, but it still has the song):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_CwkdXfAhg
Video for Almost Lover (And this is the remix edit...it's better than the original IMHO):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgyzsbv2xKg
#9: List Universe - www.listverse.com
Okay, so I'll be the first to admit that I'm a nerd. A complete and utter nerd. A few of my posts in this will prove this to be true, including this one. List universe is AMAZING. I discovered probably my sophomore or junior year of my undergraduate career, and have checked it everyday since....no lie. I love random knowledge. I was actually called a walking encyclopedia today by a coworker. It made me smile. :) Everyday there is a new top 10 list. Now, I'm not promoting every list on the website....but I find quite a few of them very intriguing....it's definitely worth a looksie! :)
#8: "An Unquiet Mind" by Kay Redfield Jamison
One of my favorite books ever, and I'm not even done with it. It's a memoir written by a psychiatrist who is herself diagnosed with Manic Depression (i.e. Bipolar Disorder). Her story highlights her struggles to regulate herself on her medications, her career, etc. Very good read! (See, I told you I'm a nerd)
#7: Inception
So, there's a rule in my family that I'm not allowed to buy myself anything after Thanksgiving day until after Christmas just in case I happen to purchase myself something that someone else has already gotten me as a gift. Which is why I'm struggling really bad....I have every want, desire, and urge to go across the street to Walmart right now and buy a copy of Inception. But, alas, I'm gonna stick to the rules laid out before me and not do so...see mom? I can obey! ;) (Oh, and that better be wrapped under the tree for me Dec. 25th! lol!)
I LOVE this movie. As an aspiring screenwriter, I am envious of the script...the cleverness, the cohesiveness, the minimal loose ends in such an intense story line. It's superb. 7 out of 5 stars in my book. :)
#6: "Lungs" by Florence + the Machine (yes, the entire album)
Florence + the Machine is one of my all-time favorite bands, and they're actually a relatively newly realized band to me. Amazing, unique sound....and very eclectic style-wise. LOVE it!
(Oh, and it never hurts when Glee covers one of your songs, too!)
Dog Days are Over Video (One of my top 10 songs):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWOyfLBYtuU
Drumming Song Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpLXQorSQe8
#5: Big Bang Theory
Yes, I'm a nerd! We've already been over this! But seriously - this is the all-time funniest show I've ever watched. It's the one show I can watch time and time again and laugh each and every time. :)
My sister made fun of me when I first told her how much I love the show...now I have her just as hooked (if not more so) than myself!
And one of the funniest scenes ever just-so happens to be appropriate for this time of year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlhHTdDqoBc
(Oh, and I definitely have a "Bazinga!" window decal on my window of my Element)
#4: In The Life of a Child blog by Childlife - http://www.blogcatalog.com/user/Childlife
I stumbled upon this blog one day while looking at the blogs of one of the families I work with. The mom just so happened to follow this blog herself. And, once I started, I couldn't stop reading - it's HILARIOUS! She updates almost every Saturday, so I know I always have something to look forward to at the beginning of the next week!
#3: My Nook
I was really reluctant to venture into the world of an E-Reader. If you know me, or have ever been to my apartment, you know from the get go that I LOVE books....and I was afraid that by purchasing one of these, it would take away from my love of having books on my shelves. And while I admit, I do have a couple on my bookshelf just for show (i.e. Fennegan's Wake - but seriously, has ANYONE actually ever read that book? And if you say yes, you're full of it. And if you have NO idea what I'm talking about, read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnegans_wake), my Nook is just so much more convenient and practical...definitely a wise investment for me - the girl who used to have at LEAST two books on her at any given moment. :) (yes, nerd.)
#2: PARAMORE!
My favorite band EVERRRRRRR. Plain and simple :)
Misery Business Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCyGvGEtOwc
Only Exception (again, another song covered on Glee):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J7J_IWUhls
Brick by Boring Brick Video (one of the best music videos of all time):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A63VwWz1ij0
#1: Getting back to blogging
Yes, I'll admit, it's an easy way out. I'm tired. So shoot me. But I'm trying to get back into the swing of writing regularly. So...it's a favorite right now, and highly recommended :)