A New Kind of Storytelling: The Decemberists

The band, The Decemberists, have quickly become one of my favorites. From Oregon, the lead singer’s-Colin Meloy- unique voice (I thought he was from Australia.) blends to an array of musical instruments (the accordion is a favorite), and splendid, imaginative lyrics.

Here is a glimpse of some of my favorites:

‘Eli, The Barrow Boy,’ from Picaresque
(For a quick listen, scroll down: http://www.amazon.com/Picaresque-Decemberists/dp/B0007M22S4/sr=1-1/qid=1159299987/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-3195775-0508942?ie=UTF8&s=music)

Eli, the barrowboy, when they found him
Dressed all in corduroy, he had drowned in
The river down the way
They laid his body down in a church yard
But still when the moon is out
With his pushcart he calls down the day

"Would I could afford to buy my love a fine gown
Made of gold and silk Arabian thread
But I am dead and gone and lying in a church ground
But still I push my barrow all the day
Still I push my barrow all the day"

‘The Sporting Life,’ from Picaresque
(For a quick listen, same link as above.)

And father had had such hopes
For a son who would take the ropes
And fulfill all his old athletic aspirations
But apparently now there's some complications
But while I am lying here
Trying to fight the tears
I'll prove to the crowd that I come out stronger
Though I think I might lie here a little longer

There's my coach he's looking down
The disappointment in his knitted brow
"I should've known," he thinks again
"I never should have put him in"
He turns and loads the lemonade away
And breathes in deep
The sporting life
How he loves

‘The Bachelor and the Bride’ from Her Majesty
(For a quick listen, scroll down: http://www.amazon.com/Her-Majesty-Decemberists/dp/B0000BWVMJ/sr=1-3/qid=1159299987/ref=pd_bbs_3/102-3195775-0508942?ie=UTF8&s=music)

There's a wrinkle in the water
Where we laid our first daughter
And I think the wind blows so sweetly there
Over there
And the windows and the cinders
And the willows in the timbers
The infernal rattling of the rain Still remains
"But I," said the bachelor to the bride
"Am not waiting for tonight
No, I will box your ears And leave you here stripped bare"

‘Billy Liar’ from 5 song Billy Liar EP
(For a quick listen, same link as 'The Bachelor and the Bride.')

So the summer is eternity for you?
Sleeping in until your father's shaking you down
He's shaking you down
And the mailroom shift gets a real short shrift
As you dole out the packages, no one seems to want you around
All skulking around

Let you legs loll on the lino
Until your sinews spoil
Will you stay here for a while, dear
Until the radio plays something familiar?
Plays something familiar

Even more stories will be ready for a listen in 1 week- 10/3 (Jeffy’s b-day) when their new album, The Crane Wife, comes out. And, I can’t wait!

http://www.decemberists.com/

Anatomy of Grey's...

Yay! It's back! My favorite show, "Grey's Anatomy" made it back to the air, on a new night. (Okay, don't even get me started on that- Sunday is the best night for this show.)

At the end of last season, the writer's left us with too many cliff-hangers: who was Meredith going to choose? Does Izzie really quit medical school after loosing Denny? (All the while making the Snow Patrol song 'Chasing Cars' insanely popular.) Can Burke still practice after injuring his hand? (Now that I think of it, was Burke in only 1 scene last night?)

So, after an entire summer of waiting, we were finally going to get some answers!

The writer's showed many flashbacks throughout the episode... Which, actually, was entertaining. (Wasn't the scene of Derek and Addison intense? I now have a better understanding of why she desperately was trying to get him back.) And, we see McDreamy confess his love directly to Meredith, as he leaves her with a decision. But, wait a minute, isn't he still with Addison? When is he going to decide that he's not in love with Addison anymore...?

Ultimately, though, we don't get many answers... The plot remains the same- no conclusions have been decided- but! The drama is back... Or, was there too much drama?

I thought so. The main story I had a problem with was Miranda's. Miranda's usually the calm, tough, level-headed Doctor. But, last night, she gave into her emotions. (Was she feeling guilty about Denny's death?) And, to boot, her performance last night didn't convince me. I wanted her to back away from the door and stop asking that man to touch her hands. Cheeezay!

And, the Plague story-line... still didn't convince me. Was that the only thing that would've been able to quarantine George and Derek, so that George could ask Derek if he ever told Meredith he loved her?

Yes, I know this is just the beginning of the season, but already my high-hopes for this show were somewhat squashed. And, to top it off- the music wasn't as great as it usually is...!

But, this won't detur me from tuning in next week... My DVR (Thanks honey.) will be recording this show... It has to get better... right?

Happy, happy birthday Stayce Lynn!


(This picture is from Father's Day 2004.)

The Last Taste of Summer...

3 months ago, I swore that we would use our tent for the second time. I thought our summer would be full of camp-outs, hikes, and road-trips to Southern Utah. 3 months later, I'm realizing the only time I actually used my tent was getting it out of our Shed to let my little sister borrow. (And, even then, it didn't get used.)

And, after an all too cold weekend, I felt real guilt. I only sat around a camp fire once this summer. Only ate 1 smore! Didn't snap any good shots of Utah's beautiful landscapes!

So, after my sister told me it was a beautiful day, I thought we'd experience one last taste of summer with a drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon.

First stop- Moss Ledge. I've never hiked all the way to the waterfall. (Seen to the left.) I thought the Moss Ledge was the Ledge covered in Moss by the picnic tables as soon as you began hiking. I'm glad Jeff convinced me otherwise- because aren't waterfalls beautiful?

After Jeff and I both got our right shoes wet, we continued to Silver Lake. After all, I had to walk around the Lake!

After a slow climb up the mountain... we realized the temperature dropped from 58 degrees to a cool 32 degrees. But, I was still determined to get out- enjoy the outdoors- take it all in. After all, the Summer was ending!

Then...

I saw...

all... of... the... SNOW.


I then realized our Summer was over. We hadn't yet bought any patio furniture for our deck. I hadn't gone swimming in our swim pool. I never beat Jeff in 1 game of tennis. (But, I came close.)

And, I couldn't even walk around the Lake... I was too cold.

But, on our way home, seeing the leaves turn colors, I realized... We still have Fall- Sweater weather, Pumpkins, Halloween and all. So, here's to hoping we get that tent out sometime soon.

Camp-out anyone?

My New Obsession: 'Project Runway'



So… Jeff was pretty intent on getting HD when we purchased our new, slim, cute TV. It was an additional cost every month, so I wasn’t too thrilled with the suggestion. (I still can’t tell which channel is in High-Def?)

However, after having the HD for a few months, we’ve found hidden treasures in the mass number of channels, including: Noggin- reruns of ‘My So Called Life!’ G4- reruns of ‘Arrested Development,’ and Mojo- where we saw a live Belle and Sebastian performance. However, Bravo, is the network that airs my new favorite show: ‘Project Runway.’

This is, hand’s down, the best Reality show on TV- Why?

There is a pool of Designers who make a new outfit every challenge. The contestants have to make an outfit with a specific theme in mind (Fashion Icons- poor Bradley), or make the outfit out of very interesting materials (Recycled goods- go Michael!).

The contestants rely solely on their talent. (Okay- there’s ‘So You Think…,’ ‘American Idol’ but for the most part, they have Choreographers and Vocal Coaches for assistance… right?) PR contestants have no help. (If you try and use help- you get kicked off.)

Although, Tim Gunn, the silver-haired stylist, tells them, constantly, ‘Make it work!’ if he feels like it’s not going to. (And, you know, he’s usually right on.) Additionally, the contestants have to create an entire outfit, sometimes, in only 1 day.

And, what they create is (usually) amazing!!! (I’m NOT talking about Angela or Vincent. Why, oh, why did they have to come back?)

So, to diffuse my excitement for this show, I thought I'd share my prediction for the final 3:

• Michael: He’s hands down my favorite. From head to toe, he’s got a fabulous sense of style. And, he creates great pieces. (Okay, I didn’t love his couture dress. But, Vincent’s was worse, much worse.)
• Laura: Uh… Laura wasn’t my favorite in the beginning. Every piece she created was far too similar. However, seeing her cocktail dress last night, it’s apparent she knows how to dress a woman, and she’s a clean designer. Now- she just needs to come up with something spectacular for the next challenge. And, I do think the judges really like her.
• Jeffrey: (Surprised?) Yeah- Jeffrey’s a jerk. From the beginning, I think, he’s been the most conceited contestant to date. I don’t love his work- really- I can’t think of one piece that I was impressed with. (Wait- his recycling outfit- now that was amazing.) But, I do think the judges will place him in the top 3. (I do realize he’s got a tattoo across his neck, and wears his diamond studded shades every week- but does he have to create Rock Star-esque pieces every challenge?)

And, that leaves Uli. I do like her… She has a signature style, I like her choice of colors, but I don’t think the judges like her enough.

This is the first season I’ve been a devout ‘PR’ watcher, so we’ll see if any of my predictions stand true.

Who do you think will be in the bottom 3?

Auf Wiedersehen! (Sorry... I had to.)

http://www.bravotv.com/Project_Runway/