Another day glued to the tv watching hurricane coverage. I am really obsessed. I literally have to tear myself away from the tv. But I have to stop watching it. It is stressing me out and makign me upset. I have really been CNN and MSN because of their 24 hour coverage, but I flipped over to NBC for the nightly news and was shocked by the difference in the coverage. The other stations were really just getting an areal shot of New Orleans, but NBC was on the ground in the French Quarter. Yesterday morning one guy was on Burboun St with no water on the road. He was very laided back about the whole thing. He said people have even been walking the streets drinking long island ice teas. He didn't think the flooding would reach them. A couple of blocks down the road was Brian Williams standing in knee deep water! It was amazing. They really showed what it was like in the French Quarter. They even showed an up close and personal view of the looting that is going on. Policeman attacking looters, people fighting to get into a walgreens. Peopling carrying the stuff through the flooded streets. People were hysterical! It was like downtown Bagdad. It didn't even seem like the US anymore. It was like it was happening in the middle east. We have heard about this stuff in the middle east for awhile now and I really don't even pay attention anymore because it doesn't affect me. But this in New Orleans hit s very close to home. I can't imagine what it is like there. I can't believe that I was there just one year ago. I am so glad I got to go. To be able to see New Orleans before this disaster was more rare than I realized. And to think, I ended up going to New Orleans instead of the original plan to go to Savannah because of a hurricane. We didn't know how close we were.

Ok, no more hurricane coverage! No more. I am going to watch fun stuff tonight! I think I might watch Runaway Bride. That is the movie we are doing for Rehab Week and I need ideas!

Palmatto Pointe

Palmatto Pointe had all the makings of a great new WB drama. Created by the producers of Dawson's Creek and staring actors from the WB genepool (One Tree Hill and Dawson's Creek), this new show should have been the next Dawson's Creek. But the problem is that the WB already has the new Dawson's Creek. It is called One Tree Hill. It is even filmed on the same set..go figure. So Palmatto Pointe, which could have been better than One Tree Hill had it been on the right network. But Palmatto Pointe was resigned to the former PAX network, "I". It is some new independent channel. You think "independent" means low budget and not as pretty as the WB but the quality of the material has to be great! But it is not. Not by a long shot.

The more I watched this show...trying to give it a chance...the more it disappointed me. I tried to tell myself it was because they didn't have the WB type money to get real Hollywood actors who act and talk like model. They didn't have enough money to fade the songs out as the actors were speaking. But I think that this show was relegated to the "I" network for a reason...it sucks.

The actors are likable and cute enough. But they all have horrible southern accents. They are real...but do you really want to hear that all the time on tv? I am a southerner, so I understand how we come off...so I would want to have some sort of voice lessons before I went to Hollywood. An all southern cast with real accents sounds cool, but in reality it is hard on the ears. It makes us southerners sound awful! And don't even get me started on the actors...they couldn't act if it saved their life. And even the amazing actors from Dawson's Creek, who were so great on there, flounders on this show. I don't know if it is the actors or the words they are saying (which make George Lucas's dialogue look like Shakespeare).

And then there are the camera angles. A problem I thought was the low budget, but while the grimy quality of the show may be the money's fault, it certainly doesn't get the blame for the juvinile camera angles. It almost seems like a home movie! You can atleast get a camera man who knows what he is doing!

And then there is the music. The music is great. Dawson's Creek type music. They always come up with the best music...but you can't hear it! The actors are talking over the music and the music is covering the inane dialogue that the actors are saying. I understand they might not be able to fade the music out while the actors are talking, but they could have atleast waited for a long pause to start the music up or even just have instrumental music in the background. Or they could do music in montages...oh wait scratch that...they did that...it sucked.

I really don't understand the problem with this show. It had all the makings of a good show! Even if the show kind of sucked I usually like it. I love guilty pleasure things! I live for those! Look at Beautiful People, another Dawson's Creek produced show on ABC family, That show is better than this show. And people have been panning that show!

I had thought about giving this show one more week, but I am not sure...do I really want to waste another hour of my time when I could be watching quality television??? No.

Speaking of quality television. My parents watched that new show Prison Break (the "best new drama of the season) and they loved it! They both rarely like something that much. So I am a little bit more excited about checking it out. I mean, I was hesitant about watching Veronica Mars last season and look how much I love it now...and I was there from the beginning...everyone has just jumped on the bandwagon.

Katrina Locally

Ok, so Katrina has made it's way up here and it is not pretty. Rain and wind mostly. Very windy. The power went out last night around 3 and flickered on and off the rest of the night. I was hot and the AC went off with the power so that wasn't fun. And the most annoying thing was the battery backup to my tivo was beeping. I had to turn it off in the dark without my contacts! And it was behind my TV..not fun.

It was hard to sleep too because the wind howled so bad. It was kind of scary. I kept hearing the wind chimes and stuff getting blown around outside. I know it was nothing compared to the horror that the people in New Orleans and Miss. experienced, but it was still scary.

The power came back on aroudn 5 and I was going to get up and walk, but then it went off again. Oh well, a good excuse not to walk then. The power was still out at 6 so I had to take a shower in the dark. But thank goodness the power came back on in time for me to dry my hair otherwise I would have a wet head at work.

Driving to work was ok. The wind wasn't as bad as I expected it...so I just hope everyone else is safe and secure whereever they are.

Katrina Part 2

The superdome has lost power and the roof has come off. I do feel so sorry for those people...having just been without air myself. The pictures that they have been showing. I would not want to be there...of course I wouldn't want to be in gridlock traffic going out of there either. That seems almost worse. I hope all of the people got out before the storm hit. I would really hate to be in gridlock on the road when the hurricane hit. That would be bad.

But the good news is that the hurricane moved slightly so New Orleans didn't get the worst of it. Ground Zero was another place I went to Gulfort, MS and Biloxi. Those places I really didn't like so I don't feel as bad. They were basically just casinos and stuff and the beach wasn't very nice anyways. But it is still bad that some place I went go the worst of it. I can't imagine what has happened there. And the coast right the that we drove up and down Biloxi, Gulfport, Pass Christian, and Waveland. Pass Christan was such a cute little place. Great place for antiques! And now it is all gone. I hate to think what that storm did do that quirky little restauarnt called Chappys that overlooked the ocean there. It is so very sad.

I know even though New Orleans didn't get the worst of it that it will still be bad. They said there really wasn't a weak part to this storm. So I guess we will still have to wait and see how it all pans out.

Now that Katrina is out of the gulf it is heading up this way...so we are going to be getting some bad weather very soon. Not looking forward to driving in that...

Katrina

I watched non-stop hurricane coverage last night. I didn't want to. But it is like a train wreck. I couldn't stop watching it. I just feel so bad for New Orleans. I feel for the people in the superdome and the people who had to evacuate with no place to go. I don't feel for the people who stayed at home. They knew better. One guy said that he couldn't leave his shop because that was his life....well that life is about to get washed away with your real life. I can't believe people would want to stay there during the biggest storm in history.

But you know, I mostly feel so sorry for the actual city of New Orleans. After this it could be Lake New Orleans. All of those old beautiful historic houses all washed away. All of those old shops and cobblestone streets. Cafe du Monde has been there since 1862! I am looking at my Cafe Du Monde mug right now. All of it will be underwater. Jackson Square, the French Market, the French Mall. all of those little jazz clubs. THE REAL WORLD HOUSE! All underwater. All of those restaurants...all gone. All of those places I went and loved last year..gone. And the French Quarter will get the worst of it because it is one of the lowest. I just keep seeing all of these images...it is depressing.

I really need to stop watching this because I really feel like I am there or the hurricane is here. It is so real. I loved New Orleans so much and now it will never be the same. They can rebuild and restore, but all of those all building. It is going to take months for the water to even drain out. I am anxious to see what the damage is after the dust settles. what will we be able to see? How much will be underwater? Will we only be able to see the steple of the catheral? I love it is much. It is really like another home away from home for me. Some place I really loved. Even if I was only there a short time.

Red Eye

Yes, it is me again. The worst case senerio closet hypocondriac. I have a bloodshot eye and I don't know why. I looked it up on Webmd and scared myself silly with all of the things it could be. That is not a good thing. Worst case senerio I guess. Here is what I think happened. Bradley had it last week so I am thinking that it has to do with all of the extremely dry hot air that was blown on us last week. He got it quicker because he slept upstairs in the heat and now I have it. I think that because my eye is always worse when I get up in the morning or open them after having them closed. You know how it is when you fall asleep with your contacts on...your eyes dry out. So I think they are just really dryed out from having no air last week and having a fan blow dry hot air on me for two days. I have been putting all kinds of drops in my eyes hoping it will get better. And it does. It has gotten a lot better. But it is still not gone. I have been wearing only one contact most of the day to see if that will help, but actually it fills better when I have it in. It only looks bad. that is the only thing giving me hope that it isn't something serious. It doesn't hurt or itch or burn really. So hopefully it will go away soon.

Joss to direct Harry Potter??

There was a quote on the Leaky Caldren Website from Joss about directing Harry Potter.

"They would have to wait until all the books come out, as I refuse to see any Potter film till I've read them all, because she writes better movies tha[n] anybody shoots. When she's done, I'll go back and watch them and wait for the call to direct number seven."

Joss directing Harry Potter??? Every little fangirl's dream! Take my favorite director and have him direct my favorite book. Have Nickel Creek do music and my life would be complete! Of course, I am not sure how good Nickel Creek's music would sound in a Harry Potter film...but who knows if anything will ever happen.

I was very upset by the reaction of some of the Harry Potter fans. I would have thought it natural for Harry Potter fans to like Buffy, Angel, Firefly because they are all so similar. But a lot of people were very upset by it. They were insulting Joss calling his work cutesy, dramatic, cheesy, and uninspired...{stopping to gasp in horror}. I was going to write a response, but it wouldn't let me. Anyone who has ever seen The Body, Once More With Feeling, and any of season 2 realizes that Joss is genius!

I am not sure about directing book 7 because I haven't read it, but I think him directing book 6 is a no brainer. Book 6 has Buffy season 2 written all over it. The end of season 2 where Angel says "No weapon, no friends, what do you have left?" And Buffy grabs the sword just inches from her face and says "ME". She realized that she had to do this alone. It was her fight to fight and she had to step up. Harry's attitude at the end of book 6 was exactly the same. I kind of figured it would end that way with "insert name here for those who have not read the book" died at the end. Now Harry has no one to count on or look out for him. He has to take care of himself. Of course both Buffy and Harry realize that your true friends are your biggest assets and can help you the most if you let them (see Buffy end of season 4)

So really both things are so similar that Joss would really be perfect to direct it! The only thing I worry about is it not being Joss's own work. He is so good with these stories that he comes up with. He is so passionate about them. He is passionate about Harry Potter too...so who knows.

Keychain

I was feeling very creative yesterday with all of the Princess Decorating! So when my the Sernity logo came out of my keychain I decided to use the empty keychain to my advantage. I found a good Nickel Creek pictured. Printed and cut it out and put it in my keychain! And it looks really good! Maybe I will show it to the band at their next concert and they will be so impressed by it that they will want to hire me to do all of their PR work...cause you know that is what I am good at! That would be so cool...and not at all likely. But it is nice to think!

Brave New Girl

I watched this old ABC family movie last weekend with my mom called Brave New Girl. I had completely forgotten about that movie. I remember when I saw the previews Erica and I were totally making fun it of and didn't really want to watch it. I mean, come on...it was written and produced by Brittney Spears...so how good could that be? But I watched it...like I do all ABC family movies. And surprise! I LOVED it! I am a little embarressed to say that. But it was good. It really wasn't based on Brittney's rise to fame. It was a kind of Gilmore Girls/Center Stag-ish movie about a girl from Texas who likes to sing Brttney Spears songs (obviously) and gets a scholarship to a big NYC liberal arts school where everyone sings opera. Her single mom, having nothing to go back to in Texas ends up staying with her daughter. And the end is the best. She ends up showing everyone up at the concert by doing a piece from Carmen and then leading it into a really great pop song with the same music. It is the best song! And the best news...I finally found a bootleg copy of it on the internet. I can't believe they didn't release a soundtrack. I would have sooo gotten it. So many good songs. I mean, I know it is just an ABC family movie, but they have soundtracks for movies on the disney channel. But the disney channel is a bigger, more established network...but you know Disney does own ABC family...so what does that mean? Anyways, it is a really great movie and great song about being strong and following your dreams...ok clique lyrics, but the opera and the pop was way innovative.

Wow, after re-reading this post I realize that I sound a lot like Mia in the Princess Diaries...I guess I have been reading those too long. But they are very good books!

Feeling Very Princessy

We are celebrating one of our co-workers 40th Birthday today. And instead of doing the dark, depressing, death thing, we put a more positive girly spin on it. We did "Queen of the Hill" and we did a Queen theme. We had red carpet, a jewel-encrusted goblet (a shout out to Val Myers on Junkin) feather boas, the works. And since I am "Princess" Nic, or atleast my online name is, I got to use all of my "princess" inspired things that I have aquired over the years. I provided a tiara, and I had "I'm Coming Out" from the Princess Diaries playing when she came it. It was so fun. I even wrote a fairy tale story for her....as I do for all of my friends. It was near as good as some of the stuff Erica and I do, but it was still good. I love stories! They are really the best birthday presents ever. Even though Erica and I basically ask each other what we want and then go buy it (sometimes while we are shopping together), we still do write each other stories to add that personal touch and those mean more than cds or dvds or anything. I am going to have to go back and read them.

Yea! We have air. It was still a little hot upstairs last night, but this morning it was fine! It was so nice to be able to go to bed in my own bed!

I think I have figured out atleast part of the reason I am so stressed out lately. It is the fact that I have clock in and out at work and that I have to deal with traffic everyday. It is kind of stressful trying to get here at a certain time and not being able to because traffic is heavy. I think it is worse now because UTC has started back. I am either going to have to find another way or leave earlier. I am not sure what will help. The afternoons are so bad anymore. It is really just 4th street that is really backed up. I don't know...

I have been watching the Skulls II. I tivoed it. It is ok. It has that same guy who was in Cruel Intentions II. He is like straight to video sequel guy. I also found out that they made a third one. I liked the original movie, but not enough for 2 sequels. Josh Jackson and Paul Walker were good in it. That was like one of the only big movies Josh Jackson did...execpt for all those Duck movies. Yes, I guess Katie Holmes wins again for being the most successful person off Dawson's Creek. But Michelle Williams is gaining on her. But poor Kerr Smith. Speaking of bad sequels...he was in Cruel Inentions 3...so sad. He was on Charmed...thanks to the WB genepool. But hopefully this will be that show's last season...it just doesn't die! And don't even get me started on 7th Heaven...

Weekend

Ok, this was a bad, not relaxing weekend. Our air went out and it was only one of the hottest weekends all summer. It will hopefully be fixed today, but we aren't sure. I have been sleeping in the den with the other air conditioner because the upstairs is unbearable. I hate not being able to go in my room. I usually have my alone time there on the weekends...especially on Sundays, but this sunday I had to spend it in the den with the rest of my family watching the E! True Hollywood story of the Simpson family...big fun. And no air makes me feel so tired and sick. My stomach has been hurting like I want to throw up. I haven't wanted to eat anything. Blah...

But I did see Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants again last night...in a nice air conditioned theater! That movie is so good. I love Kotos. He is so hot...but I am supposed to hate him because he broke our little Lena's heart. But he is just so hot. He needs to be in every movie ever made...I would see them all...

The OC

The OC will always have a special place in my heart. I loved it when it first came on. It was one of those cool shows that I started watching from the beginning and then everyone else jumped on the bandwagon. It is smart, funny, fun, and touching. It is a soap opera that doesn't know it is a soap opera. That is what makes it so good. Things happen, storylines get resolved, people laugh. They have the ability to laugh at themselves. The OC started getting bad at the end of the first season. I brushed it off. Then the second season didn't get any better. They were doing stupid things to good characters. They were bringing in new people just to ship them off a couple of episodes later. They were finishing storylines before you even had a chance to care. It was all moving too fast. Even Seth (in their typical poking fun at their own show humor) said that thing were better last season. It is very sad since the show is only in its second season and already showing signs of wear. But there was a glimmer of hope in the season finale. That one episode gave the show the heart and the realness that the show had been missing. I don't know what exactly it was. Summer and Marrisa talked. Sandy and Kirsten resolved their differences. And Ryan took care of Marrisa. It wasn't just that, but it was more a feeling that came back of what was missing. But most people are over the OC. Will season three be any better? Will it win back me along with the other fans? I am optimistic. The season finale pointed to a better future. The new season previews look awesome. And the best news: Ben McKenzie cut his hair! It is short and cute and Ryan looks FINE in the previews...of course the show picks up right after the season finale from last year so I am not sure how they are going to explain the haircut. "I am sorry, you just shot my brother, but gosh my hair was getting so long that I had to go out and cut it righ then." Who knows...but hopefully things will get better for the show because even if it had a bad year I am still drawn to it. It will always have a place in my heart.

Devoted Fans of Small Things

I love Nickel Creek. I want them to be successful, but I don't want to lose that special connection. Even though it is sort of frustrating when you have to explain who Nickel Creek is and what kind of music they play, it is almost satisfying to like something that isn't popular. You are one of the few who know how good that something is and it makes you feel cool.

And on the off chance you do find someone else that knows what you are talking about it seems to form a bond between you. The fans of things like Nickel Creek (and other things like it-Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Veronica Mars-two of my favorites) tend to be more devoted to their band or show than fans of popular things like Desperate Housewives or U2. Sure you have a group of devoted fans, but with Nickel Creek-like things, there are rarely casual listeners to their music. Everyone who likes them are devoted fans who have seen them many many times in concert. And that small (getting larger) group of devoted fans tend to band together in support of their favorite thing...like the frequent vistors to the Nickel Creek message boards. It is not so much the band that makes it so special, but the small devoted group of fans that makes it so good to be a fan of Nickel Creek

You know...It is not so much a decision I have to make on who I am going to marry. I have always known...deep down. It is more of a decision I need to make with myself. To stop running. To stop being selfish. To realize that I can't hide from my life...from change. I think that coming back home after going away to school made things harder. I was so unhappy being away from home while at school that when I came home I hid away from my problems, from growing up, from facing life because I had been burned so much while I was at school. I got a taste of the real world outside of home and I didn't liek it at all. And now that I am home I am hiding from that. I am scared of it. I am scared of doing things on my own of moving out of living with someone else...of having to think about someone else's needs. That was the problem with Erica and I. We were both going through such a hard time in our life during that year that we really couldn't be there for each other. But when you are married you have to be there for each other no matter what you are going through...that is so hard. I know things are going to change and I probably won't like it. It is going to be hard at first...for awhile and I am so scared. Of changing, of leaving, of having to take care of myself. I have so many little things going on in my head that it is hard to add more. I do hide. I know I do. But it seems like it is either think obsessviely about everything or think about nothing. It is very hard to find an inbetween. And when I do...those rare times...that is when I think the best. When I am stressed and obsessing about things I can't do anything about or things I am analyzing way too much then it isn't healthy. It just leads to maddness. I need God's help. I pray all the time for him to help me not think about those things. It is worrying, but not the same as it was in high school. I didn't have that much to worry about in high school or college. I just worried about homework...one thing...that was really all I had to worry about...and it consumed me because it was so important to me. And now I have a billion little balls up in the air everyday. Lots of different things to worry about. So when I start worrying about one thing then it reminds me of other things that are wrong or that I need to worry about and then my head spins out of control and I want to pull my hair out. And they can be small things like the fact that my XM Radio doesn't work like I want it to or big thing like I don't think I am as good of Christian as I need to be. There are so many things wrong with me that I don't know where to start. I know I am selfish, and this whole thing is selfish. That is why I need to stop looking inward and start looking outward. But I am just not sure how to do that. I am such an introvert that I don't think about helping someone until I have already passed them up and gotten on the elevator. I don't notice things. I am not observant. I don't know how to help people. I don't know how not to be selfish. I am so confused. God, help me.

Jen Lindley

The final episode of Dawson's Creek came on and I watched it...again. This is like the 10th time I have watched it. I watch it every time it comes into the rotation on TBS. And still...almost 2 and a half years later...I cry. I cry for Jen, I cry for her baby, I cry for Grams. I cry mostly for Jen...I mean not only does she die, but she doesn't believe in God so that means she is going to Hell. That is so sad. I can't believe they killed off Jen...why not Grams, she is old. I am still angry and upset about it even now. But the good news is that Pacey and Joey get together, because everyone knows they are the best couple on television. They had the most real teen relationship that you can have on a television show. They lasted way longer than Dawson and Joey. That was such a good show. It wasn't always the best, but when it was good, it was really good. And it got better after Kevin Williamson left...he is not the one who put Joey and Pacey together (He even wanted Joey to get together with Dawson at the end until the producers convinced him otherwise) Hey I wonder what the former wunderkid is doing now? Hmmm...I will have to IMDB him later. But the end, with Spilberg and "The Creek" on Wednesdays at 8...They were always good at making fun of themselves. That is what made that show so good. And the OC (when it was good) did that even better.

And the characters...Dawson's Creek had the best characters on TV. Even better than Buffy. Joey was the best. Katie Holmes made that character who she was. She put so much of herself into that character that the lines blurred between them. That is why in the later years it was really Joey's Creek. Dawson (James Ver Der Beek) really wasn't that good of a character. He didn't put all of that into his character. And Dawson was just annoying and self involved. He analyzed everything to the nth degree...it was so annoying. But I guess it was good that he ended up doing his own show about his own life. He could analyze his life over and over again on screen!

Concert in Nashville

I finally was able to get tickets for a Nickel Creek concert in Nashville...it took me long enough. Stupid site...but YEA! I got General Admission so hopefully that means getting as close to the stage as possible even if it means standing up and waiting in line...with the true fans!

Joss Luvs Veronica

Posted by Joss Whedon (Creator of Buffy, Angel, Firefly, and all around Genius):

My peeps and I just finished a crazed Veronica Marsathon, and I can no longer restrain myself. Best. Show. Ever. Seriously, I've never gotten more wrapped up in a show I wasn't making, and maybe even more than those. Crazy crisp dialogue. Incredibly tight plotting. Big emotion, I mean BIG, and charsimatic actors and I was just DYING from the mystery and the relationships and PAIN, this show knows from pain and no, I don't care, laugh all you want, I had to share this. These guys know what they're doing on a level that intimidates me. It's the Harry Potter of shows. There. I said it. People should do whatever they can to check out this first season so the second won't be a spoiler fest. I'm nutty.I'm a little calmer now. Oh God, no I'm not! Wait. Wait. Okay. Some of you may already be all up on this, and some may disagree, but I'm urging peeps to check it out, 'cause there is great TV afoot, and who doesn't want that? Thank you for your time.Still not calm! Wait... wait...


YEAH!!! He likes Veronica Mars...only apparo...it is Buffy: Next Generation.

Why Should The Fire Die? Pt. 2

Stumptown-The coffee song. It was named after a coffee shop in Portland. It is the most traditional song on the album. It is almost more tradtional than even their first album. It sticks out on this very very non-bluegrass album. Since it is short and sweet and fun, it is kind of a pallete cleanser on this very dark, intense album. Thought it is not my favorite song on the album, I have to love it because it is about coffee.

Anthony-Sara's Song! This song is another favorite...big favorite. It has this great 1940's feel to it. Sara wrote a great song and also sings it very well. Sara's singing voice has matured over the years and she sounds less breathy...more grown up. It is almost sultry in some places. This is a very simple song and fun song that has a hint of pyscho in it...but in a fun way. I love the uke, I love the way Sara sings it, and I love to sing it myself. I never really thought that I would tell a difference in the way they recorded this album from the last one, but I really can...especially on this song. The way Sara's soft voice and uke come through on one speaker and then is slowly joined by the rest of the group in the other speaker is so neat. I love to listen to that on headphones. This song's only downside is that it is so short!

Best of Luck-If there was one song on the album that I had to say was the biggest depature for the group it would be this one. This does not sound like Nickel Creek at all. The beginning of it sounds more like something you would hear on the radio than it does Nickel Creek. My jaw literaly dropped when I heard this song start. The rest of the song sounds a little more Nickel Creek, but it is still different. Sara's voice sounds different. It is like she is spitting the words out. I like it though. It is almost like when she sings "Drone" during the Fox. I think one of the reasons this album sounds so different is because of how the band is singing with each other. The lead dominates most of the song and the harmony vocals are really faint in some places. Most songs out there are like that and that is why I think it sounds mainstream. NC usually sings lead and harmony vocals at almost the same level so you can really hear the blending of the voices. You get that on some songs, but not on ones like this. This might be considered this album's "Spit on a Stranger." I remember hating Spit on a Stranger because it was so different. But now I love it. I guess it just grows on you. The songs I hate the first time I hear are usually the ones I end up loving the most.

Doubting Thomas-The decieving complex song. The first time I heard this at a concert a while back I feel in love with it and searched high and low for a bootleg copy on the internet. I have so much to say about this song because it means a lot to me as I think it does to a lot of people because of the subject matter. This is the new Reason's Why (although Reason's Why will alway be my favorite Nickel Creek song ever) The music is so soft and comforting, it is almost deceivingly comfortable because the lyrics are so deep. There are so many layers to it. But the biggest problem with this song is that they changed my favorite line. The end of the live version went along with the comforting music: "I'm a doubting thomas, you kept your promise, you always kept me safe. Oh me of little faith." I would listen to this song and it would let me knwo that no matter what happened, God always keeps his promises and he has always kept me safe. It made me feel good. The album version ended with" I'm a doubting thomas, i'll take your promise, though I know nothing is safe." That is a little less comforting and more cynical, just like the rest of the album. It makes the song more complex and more questioning. I perfer the live version, but the album version is more crisp and clear. Which is odd since nothing on the album is crisp and clear because of the recording. Doubting Thomas sounds like it should be on the This Side with the way it is recorded. But Chris's voice continues to amaze me on this song. I hate that he dominates the majority of the album (his voice and hands are all over it) but I guess he does have an amazing voice so I don't mind as much...I do wish Sean would sing more...but I guess that I will have to wait until his new solo comes out.

First and Last Waltz-A very haunting and mysterious song. You really have to listen to make out individual instruments. They all blend together really well on this. I am not really sure what the sound is at the end of the song. I hear that in between a lot of the songs. I am not sure what it is. A good song, but not a favorite. Not yet anyways. All of their songs end up being a favorite after awhile.

Helena-I love the way this song starts. Chris said that the eighth notes at the beginning of this song started out as Itziny (an instrumental that they all love to play) the producer didn't like it so they created Helena. This is one of the best songs on the album. It is one of the most overtly complex (When In Rome gets that title) but is sung in such a way that you know the speaker is working out issues with this song. There is no simple answer to what this song is about. It starts and ends in two totally different places...which can be said about a lot of the songs on the album. It the kind of intense song that I take an instant liking to the moment I hear it. I always like things sung with a lot of passion. If you have that much passion about something it must be good or atleast can't be ignored. Chris has said that he wrote a lot of these songs theorically, but after his marriage ended, he ended up singing them with more emotion that he wrote it. That is what makes this song so good. What makes the album as a whole so good. The trio has grown up a lot between albums. They have been through a lot and this album is just a way for them to try and document and make sense of it all. The maturity shows and the album is better and more complex for it. It gives it layers. Helena puts this maturity and life experience to the best use. Not only is the music played with intensity, but Chris's voice is so powerful. And then there is the end...the drum...that was so odd to hear that on one of their albums. It really gave that song a punch. It was like the song got so intense that just the simple instruments couldn't portray anymore intensity. It is where the song opens up and you kind of feel a release. The ending is cool, but SOOOO DIFFERENT! But I like it. Again, the songs that shock me usually end up being my favorite.

Why Should the Fire Die?-Another decieving complex song. The music is so soft and comforting like something you would play before you went to sleep around a campfire, but the lyrics, the story behind the song...wow. Going into the album, this was my favorite song. And it is still very close to my heart. Though the story behind it and the end of the song aludes to the end of a relationship (Chris's divorce), I like to think of it as a song about the way relationships really are. They are hard and complex and not like you would see in the movies. It is about being there for each other and not being selfish and sticking it out to the end. Staying with each other in sickness and in health, for better or for worse. Those aren't just words, they have a whole lot of meaning behind them. This is a song about trying to make a relationship work even when it is impossible about being happy just being together even if it kills. Even if it is rough, you are together. I love the line: "saying I won't figure you out. It might be true, but let me try and try and try for the rest of my life." Guys can't ever figure out girls...because girls can barely figure themselves out! That is a problem in a lot relationships. It is just part of the complexity of them...which is what I hate. I like things in one nice neat package. So in one view this song is a very good real love song, but knowing that Chris's marriage ends gives it a whole new light. It makes me cry.

So that is it...finally...my views of this album. As I said, it is different, more different that I had thought, but it is amazing.

Why Should The Fire Die?

When In Rome-This is the first single off of the record and right out of the box it is amazing. I love the celtic vibe and great lyrics...have no idea what they REALLY mean, but I guess that is left up to us to decide. This song reminds me of that great, old poetry-very complex and vague with its meaning, but very powerful and gorgous lyrics. Not my favorite off the album, but I never like the singles (except This Side) I always here them more so songs always tend to lose something after multiple listens...that is until I hear it live (more on that later)

Somebody More Like You-Sean's lone song on the album. So sad. This Side had many Sean songs which is way I love that album so much. But though there may not be quanity, the quality more than makes up for it. This IS (for now) my favorite song on the album. And I know that some people may not like it as much, but to me it is one of Sean's best because it is different. This is bitter and sarcastic Sean. I like that difference. Even though some say that Sean's voice is strained in this song, I think he sounds wonderful. I love it when he gets those high notes (like at the end). But what makes this song my favorite is the bridge...the part that everyone is talking about: I hope you meet someone your height so you can see eye to eye with someone as small as you. Sean's voice is grittier and deeper on this part. And the "someone as small as you" part...I could write pages and pages on that one line. It is where the song changes. It is the ephiphany that makes you realize what this song is about. It is like the first mean line Sean has ever sang and really meant. And the way he sings it...that one line....it gives me chills. He sounds sexy...He is so awesome and so is this song.

Jealous of the Moon-The country waltz. The song I didn't like the first time I heard it. It was too ho-hum...it just was. There wasn't anything that stood out about it. But after listening to the album version (I heard it first on the ITunes Live CD and the harmony mics weren't very good) I started hearing the harmonys and the other parts to the song. And with Sean and Sara backing Chris up on the vocals, it adds a punch to the song. This is definitely one of the best vocals on the album.

Scotch and Chocolate-One of the best instrumentals they have ever done. And I am sure it will only get better with listening to it. It is an older song so they really had time to perfect the song every night during the show. And with more creativity on the road coming up I am sure it is going to get even better. With its soft and comforting start leading up to a rocking and exciting finish, it is one of their most complex and exciting instrumentals. They did this a lot on the album, start out slow and then scare you to death with a loud and fast closer...it is very cool. I love songs like that.

Can't Complain-I did not like this song, but give me time..It is growing on me, mainly thanks to the "scare you to death" ending. It starts out too slow and meandering. It guess it is the song. It is very blaze. I guess that is how the narrator is about the whole situation. That is the way life is...deal with it. I am like that in a way. This is who I am so deal with me. I guess because I have spent so much of my life not being who I am...but that is a different story. But where this song changes. It gets quiet like the song is fading away...like it is going to end...and then BAM! The song gets faster and harder. And it turns into something different. This last part doesn't sound like Nickel Creek. It sounds like someone else...I am not sure who. That is when this album changes for me. This is where I realized that Nickel Creek really had changed...for the good...I think, but in some ways it doesn't sound as original as the rest of the album. It sounds like they are almost imitating someone. But I like it. It fits well. I am still not sure what I really think though. But that is why I like this song. And oh yeah...Chris's voice sounds amazing! This is the first time I really noticed it.

Tomorrow is a Long Time-The first Sara sung song on the album. I am not a big fan of this one. I am sure I love it after a few listens because I love all of Sara's songs. But it was just blah to me. Nothing special or intense about this song...and with this album that doesn't fit. Every song seems intense and bitter and sung with immediacy. This is just there. I guess because they didn't write it. But Sara sounds amazing on it and it is a nice change of pace.

Eveline-After hearing the sample of this song I thought it would be one of my favorites, but now I am not so sure. It is such an awkward song...on purpose, I know. But I still don't know what to think about it. There are parts I like about it, but those parts don't seem to go with the other parts. And it is written about a James Joyce story...might be why I don't know what to think about it. I never knew what to think about his books either. I always had trouble. I do like when they sing "Eveline" together.

More later...

It's here!

It's here, It's here, It's here!!! It is Aug. 9th and that means that my new Nickel Creek CD is at my house! I can't listen to it til I get home, but it is still there! I have been reading about the new album and it sounds soooo good!!! It is called Why Should the Fire Die and it is out in stores today! YEA!!!!!!

More later on how the CD is...

Best Friends

I love my friends. They are so much fun to be with. I love laughing with them and hanging out with them. They are so great. But then there is Erica. She has been my best friend since high school. She is really the only friend from high school that I keep up with on a regular basis. There will never be another friend like her. It is not that we are particularly close or anything. I know what is going on in her life and vice versa and we do occassionally talk about problems. But really we just have fun talking about nothing. Who do I call when I want to know what movie to rent? Erica. Who do I call when I spend all day walking around New Orleans looking for the Real World House? Erica. Who do I call when Lorelai proposes to Luke...Erica! Nathan or Teah or Candi would never understand why I love scones and coffee and Chai Tea. Even though I love taking trips with Nathan, I would kind of rather go to Europe with Erica. Nathan wouldn't understand why I want to go to Notting Hill and find the house with the big blue door. Or sit in an Irish Pub waiting for Bono. Erica and I sort of share a brain when it comes to stuff like that. She is the only one who gets when I use a quote. Everyone else thinks I am stupid. We can complete each other sentences, we have the same silly dreams of opening up a coffee shop or being a tv analyist for the WB. She is the only person I can daydream with because our minds are going the same place. She is the one I get advice from. She is the one I listen to about movies, music, tv, and books...because we like the exact same thing! I don't know if it is because we have been friends for so long or because we just are alike...maybe a little of both. I mean for an entire year all we did every weekend was go to the movies and go out to eat. We saw a movie like every weekend! And then we would get coffee and scones and go back to my house and make collages and watch movies we have seen so many times that we can mouth the movie along with the actors. Sometimes I kind of wish Nathan liked all of those things...but he doesn't. That's it...I just need to marry Adam...he would understand that stuff.

Josh Schwartz

Ok, I had a dream about Josh Schwartz the other night...you know the creator of the OC. And now I am totally crushing on him. I am not sure why. I just noticed he is very cute. And he is the wunkerkind creator of one of the biggest and best shows. Maybe if I really did date him I could tell him all of things that were wrong about last year's OC and then he would take my advice and get the show back to where it was first season. That would be nice. No more gay storylines, no more on again off again crap. It drives me crazy. Give these people some stability. Yes, if I were dating Josh Schwartz that is what I would tell him. If I ever saw him...because even if I were dating him I would probably never see him since he is one of those uber producers like Joss or JJ (hmmmm...all J-names...pattern here?) who spend all of their time working to make sure their show is perfect. Whatever...

Nickel Creek...again

Nickel Creek is playing at the Fox in Atlanta and in Nashville! YEA!!! I HAVE TO GO SEE THEM...again...

Yes, I know I have seen them like seven times already, but THEY ARE SO GOOD!

And maybe I can actually talk to them this time.

This seems like a big honest tour they are doing here. Bigger places than the before. I hope that doesn't mean they aren't going to be able to stand outside and talk to people. They have always been good about that. That is what makes them so good. They are so approachable. But I still have that "Scott Baio" moment whenever I meet them. I never know what to say.

But yeah! They are coming!

Regis and Kelly

Live with Regis and Kelly is rarely very funny when one of the co-hosts is gone. The two are so different, yet they know each other so well that their "host chat" is always the highlight of the show. Whether it is Regis talking about Notre Dame football while Kelly pretends to look interested or Kelly telling a dramatic story about she lost her shoes, Kelly and Regis have great chemistry. So when one of the two co-hosts are on vacation or "special asignment" as Gelman says, the chemistry is just not as good. When Regis is gone, Kelly has to actually sit up and pay attention to the show, and when Kelly is gone, Regis has no one to tease him.

When Kelly went on vacation last week, Whoppie Goldberg proved to be one of the worst co-hosts in recent years. Not only did she have to be prodded to talk, but when she did it came out dull. Compared to the wildly dramatic antics of Kelly Ripa, it was a let down. So this week, with Regis on "special asignment," Nick Lachey co-hosted with Kelly. At first, I was disappointed, but as the show wore on, they just got funnier and funnier. Kelly told a very animated tale of her kissing scene with Nick on "Hope and Faith" while Nick looked embarrassed.

When the show got started, it seemed as if they decided to have the most physical show they have ever had as some sort of bizzare torchure for Nick. First they had a workout segment. Kelly, the exercise-phobe, claimed she hurt her neck and could 't work out. The intstructor, in a stroke of genius, told Kelly to help make Nick's workout more challenging. She sat on top of him while he was doing pushups, she jumped on his back for the lunges, and sat on his lap when he sat up against the wall. That was funny, but what was so funny is that they treated Nick like some sort of trained dog...making him do these crazy things!

Then after that segment came the soap box durby champion. After both of them losing the champ, Nick and Kelly raced against each other! After running into one another and not even making across the finish line, the two got out and tried to tackle each other! And poor Nick had to be humlited again. I am not sure he will ever want to go on this show anymore.

On Friday, Jessica co-hosts with Kelly, but I am not sure it will be as funny. Kelly acts a lot like Jessica and Regis is like a older version of Nick so really it was just like having Regis and Kelly back on the show...or Nick and Jessica...hey! maybe that is something for the future...Live with Nick and Jessica!

Ben McKenzie

I complained all last year about Ben McKenzie's hair on the OC. It was way too long. It was in his eyes. It wasn't Xander 4 season bad, but it was kind of annoying to me. Well, let me tell you...he was on Regis and Kelly and Conan O'Brien last night sporting a new haircut! Now I know it isn't that big of deal. Guys don't really care. He probably just got it cut because he didn't like to fix it. But it is shorter and out of his face completely! Way hot!!! I can't wait for the new season!

Ok, I am not bored now...just overwehlmed. There is so much that I don't know about here in terms of how things work and how we do publicity. And we are starting to go full force into Rehab Week now so it is very hard to catch up and get on board. It is such a huge thing! But here goes nothing.

Oh BTW...Nickel Creek album out one week from today!

Weekends

The past two weekends have been great. I haven't done anything! Last weekend I felt icky, so I stayed in all weekend and did nothing but watch movies! Those are the best! I feel like I actually get a weekend at home for once. It lasts longer that way. This weekend, I only went down to Rome with Nathan. We hung around a bit and ate at Buffalos with the loudest kids in America...do you think THEY were going to see Lynard Skinard in concert??? Hahaha. Anyways, on Sunday I did a few things. I made cookies and then took a walk. It was a very nice day. Church was good. They are getting ready to do their new services. That should be good.

Next weekend I am not going to get to rest. I just got an email from John saying I have to work the PRAXIS...blah...I need to come up with something good to think about for hours on end. That is what I hate about those tests (other than getting up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday) sitting around doing nothing and having to be quiet. I can't read, I can't write, I just have to sit there. I have nothing to do...hmmm...kind of like I am doing right now...except without the computer in front of me! But atleast it is good money, on both accounts, which I need right now. Hopefully things will pick up soon!

Bored, once again

It is Monday and once again I am bored. I thought it would be better since my boss is back, but she is just getting back into the swing of things and I don't want to bother her on her first day back. AHHHHH!!! Thank goodness it is almost time to go home. We took my boss out for lunch today for her birthday. They are all really nice, but they all talk about a lot of stuff I know nothing about. Their kids, their house, their kids, their pets, their kids...you get what I mean. And I don't have kids and won't for awhile, so I am at a loss as to how to relate to them! I guess it will take time. Maybe it will be better once I have the lay of the land here and can actually contribute to work conversations. I think I will like it here, but it will just take time.

On the upside I really like being able to write in my online journal, not only does it waste time, but it also allows me to keep a real journal anywhere I have a computer! It is perfect for me!

Mood: Bored
Music: Aqualung: Brighter than Sunshine