Changes by Seu Jorge

Had this on repeat while working in my office after kids left. It was one of the best ways to leave work after a long day.

Midnight in Paris (2011)

This movie had me at the 3 minute intro.

I usually decide if I'm going to like a movie or not when I watch the trailers. When I watched the trailers for "Midnight for Paris," I decided that I'm going to like this movie (Well, mainly because it was set in Paris, a place I have always been wanting to visit since I was young). And I was right--from the very beginning.

What a great introduction!  I loved the combination of the scenes of Paris and the sound of soprano sax. (I've already done the research, and found out that the intro song is "Si tu vois ma mère" by Sidney Bechet. A new song to listen to on my way to work tomorrow morning!)

Traveling to the 20s in the movie reminded me of the "Paris in the 1920s" unit from my 11th grade English class. The writers, artists, and thinkers we studied and read about in that unit were all alive in the movie.  It was a very nice surprise! Cole Porter, Gertrude Stein, Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald.. I wished I was in the movie.  Though, actually, the movie was so well done that experiencing interactions with these great artists in a movie was almost enough.

"Midnight in Paris" is definitely a keeper and I would recommend it to everyone!

Fun Baking

If I could beatbox, I would do this to make baking easier for myself...

Slow down, you crazy child

As a part of what became my daily ritual, I was stumbling upon some great websites, pictures, music, information, etc. until a site called Lyrics To Live By.  This website posts small sections of lyrics of songs that we can think about, memorize to sing along, or simply enjoy.  The author says, "I dig music, enjoy." If I spend some time browsing the entries on this site, I think I would find great music and lyrics, and become a crazy fan in no time.

One of the entries featured Billy Joel's "Vienna".
Lyrics to live by #303: "It's alright, you can lose a day or two."
I have a few favorites of Billy Joel and "Vienna" didn't seem to stick out in my memory, so I assumed that it's a song that I haven't heard of.  As I always do, the next step was Youtubing "Vienna". Then I found out that it's a song that I have heard of, a song that I actually liked when watching the movie "13 Going on 30."

The lyrics of "Vienna" were touching a small part of deep inside my heart that as I was listening to the song, I was tearing up.  I imagined someone telling me those words. "Slow down, you crazy child....why are you still so afraid?....Where's the fire, what's the hurry about? You'd better cool it off before you burn it all. You've got so much to do and only so many hours in a day..."  It felt as if someone was telling me to slow down;  relax and don't feel rushed; don't try to accomplish everything right now, right here.  I guess I wanted to hear those words and needed them.

Just as the way I discovered this song, the lyrics of "Vienna" are lyrics to live by!

Come Away With Me

Conversation in Jazz

I was first introduced to this youtube video in high school in Jazz Band. This video is the definition of "cool" (not cool jazz, but the word cool; although, I do enjoy listening to some cool jazz). Every time I want to bring myself back to the moment I started liking jazz, I watch this video. For those looking for something that will motivate you to listen to more jazz, try this!

Moon River

Moon river, wider than a mile,

I'm crossing you in style some day.

Oh dream maker, you heart breaker,

Wherever you're going, I'm going your way.

Two drifters off to see the world.

There's such a lot of world to see.

We're after the same rainbow's end--

Waiting 'round the bend.

My huckleberry friend,

Moon river and me...