Note: at the bottom of my blog there is a link to a video of these two songs, so you can listen while reading.
The other day I was listening to a song called Sleep Well by Mae. This is the last song with words that Mae ever wrote. It is their last song (excluding Good (E)vening). I was listening to it in "the burb". Sleep well starts out very soft and by the end it is starting to get rocky then Good Evening shows up and the electric guitars are rolling and the bass guitar is bringing a smile to your face. Well in listening to these songs I began to think about what they met.
In a way they represent the death of a band going on to other things. It is really pretty and melodic and the fans love it. When I first heard these two songs it gave me chills and I realized that there is not a better way for a band to be done. They did a perfect job, because they went out fighting.
From this I began thinking about what it symbolized and I have remarked to my father before that all of Mae's albums represent a lifetime, specifically (M)orning, (A)fternoon, and (E)vening. Notice the MAE. Anyway, when I got to the end of this album I came to these songs, and they happen to be two of my favorite songs, and did I mention that Mae is basically my favorite band? Well I thought about what they represent in a lifetime, I decided that they represent death. Sleep well is as you pass into eternal sleep to wake in the next life. Mae's lead singer encourages the dying man to sleep well. Then just as the man is dying he opens his eyes and looks into the infinite beyond to start real life. Good Evening! That awesome guitar gives me chills every time. This song also makes for good movie credits. When I die, I want these two songs played at my funeral, because I'm going to be that tenacious old man that isn't afraid of death but looks into eternity with hope and a grin on his face. I'm going to die knowing that I changed the world and that the Lord is satisfied with my work. Just listen to the song and let the chills flow. When I thought about my death it gave me way strong chills and I just decided that I love these songs. They truly represent the end of a lifetime and the beginning of the next. Though Mae has ended, their memory lives on in me and so many other inspired people. Become a fan and you won't regret it. They are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Yellowcard-You and Me and One Spotlight
You, Me, and One Spotlight (My Translation)
This is the chorus of this song, or the original at least. This is the most important part. I'll take it line by line.
Say you will be all around me
When your body sets your heart free
Say you will be all around me
Say you'll get me before the ending
Take my body, set my heart free
Say you'll get me through the ending
Say you will be (you won't be long)
All around me (you won't be long now)
Say You will be all around me. This is our own plea for Jesus to be near us and to save us. We ask for him to surround us and protect us from evil or harm.
When your body sets your heart free. I never quite understand this line, so I interpret it differently, but I think this could definitely be that we desire for freedom from our corrupted physical self, and we can't wait to see our savior again.
Say You will be all around me. The same plea as before, but reiterating makes it more powerful.
Say You'll get me through the ending. I always take this as Say you'll [guide] me through the ending. This would be our personal request for Christ to stay with us through everything, and we know that he will.
Take my body, set my heart free. This to me would be saying take my sins and faults of the natural man, and make me perfect. He takes our sins to sets our souls free from our guilt.
Say You'll get me through the ending. This line again reminds us we really do need him.
Say You will be (You won't be long). You won't be long can also be, please don't be long! We need him and we are asking him to be there soon.
All Around Me (You won't be long now). We are assured he will be near us and we can make it through with him. He won't be long when we need him.
It can also be interpreted that this is about when we die and we ask Christ to get us before the ending and guide us through, while He promises to be with us always.
You, Me, and One Spotlight
The music's on loud
We'll sing this song out
And then we'll lie down
I'll hold you close then
And let you know when
The space and time bend
And then we'll fall in
Go put on your best tonight
It's you and me and one spotlight
One more show, one last time
We are ready
Say you will be all around me
When your body sets your heart free
Say you will be all around me
I'll look for your eyes
To keep me inside
When everything dies
But one last sunrise
And when we stand there
Together not scared
I'll dry your last tear
And then we'll just err
Go put on your best tonight
It's you and me and not much time
To watch the world burning bright
We are ready
Say you will be all around me
When your body sets your heart free
Say you will be all around me
Say you'll get me before the ending
Take my body, set my heart free
Say you'll get me before the ending
Go put on your best tonight
It's you and me and one spotlight
One more show, one last time
It won't be long now
Say you will be all around me
When your body sets your heart free
Say you will be all around me
Say you'll get me before the ending
Take my body, set my heart free
Say you'll get me before the ending
Say you will be (you won't be long)
All around me (you won't be long now)
Top 20 favorite songs and 5 favorite bands
1. Only One - Yellowcard
2. Iris - The Goo Goo Dolls
3. Incomplete - Backstreet Boys
4. The Scientist - Coldplay
5. The Truth - Kris Allen
6. Name [New Version] - the Goo Goo Dolls
7. Sleep Well & Good (E)vening - Mae (There are two songs, but I consider them as one.)
8. The Fisherman Song (We All Need Love)
9. Politik - Coldplay
10. Gifts and Curses - Yellowcard
11. I'm Right Here - The Goo Goo Dolls
12. Believe - Yellowcard
13. Bite My Tongue - Relient K
14. Dare You To Move - Switchfoot
15. Boston - Augustana
16. Drops of Jupiter - Train
17. The Reason - Hoobastank
18. Fix You - Coldplay
19. The Sound of You and Me - Yellowcard
20. Night/Day - Mae
21. On Your Own - Green River Ordinance
22. Not Quite Paradise - Bliss 66
23. Cut Me, Mick - Yellowcard
24. This Man - Jeremy Camp
25. Secret Crowds - Angels & Airwaves
I think this is all of them, but I can't guarantee it. They also probably aren't in order, quite right, but I think that is them. If I were to add some more there would be Elgar/Something Inside from August Rush, Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol, Therapy - Relient K, and some more . . . .
My 5 favorite bands are:
1. Yellowcard
2. Mae (This is such a close second, I might as consider 1 and 2 as both firsts because quite often, Mae is on the top spot. It is a constant battle. I just feel like Mae and Yellowcard describe me best and they bring something out of me that I really love. A certain sense of depth that I can't find anywhere else.
3. Relient K
4. Switchfoot
5. The Goo Goo Dolls.
2. Iris - The Goo Goo Dolls
3. Incomplete - Backstreet Boys
4. The Scientist - Coldplay
5. The Truth - Kris Allen
6. Name [New Version] - the Goo Goo Dolls
7. Sleep Well & Good (E)vening - Mae (There are two songs, but I consider them as one.)
8. The Fisherman Song (We All Need Love)
9. Politik - Coldplay
10. Gifts and Curses - Yellowcard
11. I'm Right Here - The Goo Goo Dolls
12. Believe - Yellowcard
13. Bite My Tongue - Relient K
14. Dare You To Move - Switchfoot
15. Boston - Augustana
16. Drops of Jupiter - Train
17. The Reason - Hoobastank
18. Fix You - Coldplay
19. The Sound of You and Me - Yellowcard
20. Night/Day - Mae
21. On Your Own - Green River Ordinance
22. Not Quite Paradise - Bliss 66
23. Cut Me, Mick - Yellowcard
24. This Man - Jeremy Camp
25. Secret Crowds - Angels & Airwaves
I think this is all of them, but I can't guarantee it. They also probably aren't in order, quite right, but I think that is them. If I were to add some more there would be Elgar/Something Inside from August Rush, Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol, Therapy - Relient K, and some more . . . .
My 5 favorite bands are:
1. Yellowcard
2. Mae (This is such a close second, I might as consider 1 and 2 as both firsts because quite often, Mae is on the top spot. It is a constant battle. I just feel like Mae and Yellowcard describe me best and they bring something out of me that I really love. A certain sense of depth that I can't find anywhere else.
3. Relient K
4. Switchfoot
5. The Goo Goo Dolls.
The Truth, is that I really love music
Do any of you have those songs that really just stir your soul? Well I was thinking about one of those which is The Truth by Kris Allen (music video posted above) and I just wanted to say how much I love music like this. It has that strong bass guitar, the piano chords, the musicality, the stirring emotional chords. They get me every time. Often times when I am feeling a little bit sad I turn on this song and I sing it at the top of my lungs. There is no other feeling like it for me. When you just turn up a song and as you sing it while no one is around, when I can feel all the emotion and sympathies stream out of my lungs and the tears come to my eyes. When I first heard this song, I loved it and I still do. I really just love any song that has a similar effect on me.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
The Elements of A Successful Dance
After attending a dance last night I have decided to put together a list of highly important elements that define how a dance works for you, how you work for the dance, and how the dance just works. As far as I can tell these several points are amongst the most important variables.
1. Attitude and Mood: Before going to a dance, you have to be in the mood. Going to a dance in a bad mood or a bored mood typically relates in a dumb dance, only because you were in a bad mood. So what you have to do is turn on some dancy music and loosen up before you go to the dance.
2. The Outfit: I am a heavy believer in dancing shoes. I always wear my same extremely beat up $10 wal-mart shoes. They are paper thin, but you can move your foot like your hand is in a glove in these shoes they are so loose and comfortable. You probably want your dancing shoes to have little to no grip so you can slide your feet everywhere. It doesn't matter what you wear on your feet to or from the dance as long as you are wearing your dancing shoes. I can not say that a theme at a dance is a necessary requirement, but I think it definitely adds a good element to it. A dress code is thus suggested. For me I find that I can only dance in jeans and a t-shirt. Also dressing like you are a gangsta for whatever reason causes it to be a lot easier to dance better, so always keep in mind what you are wearing.
3. Food: This is basically a necessity. Every good party, dance, and activity are always associated with food. That will certainly liven the environment and give everyone something to do when the dumb DJ plays a naughty song, such as "Moves like Jagger." That comes to my next element, the DJ.
4. Disc Jockey (DJ): This is definitely one of the key elements. Some DJ's believe that they know what you like and so they turn on stupid music from the 70's that they like and they keep all the lights on, so you feel like you are being interrogated. I have had DJ's declare that "The final Countdown" is a slow song. Don't believe them. If this happens, it is time to have your own dance in the parking lot. The DJ's choice of music will change the world. In my opinion a DJ should incorporate at least 6-8 slow songs into every dance, but few do these days. Well, maybe 4-6. Slow songs are so you can talk to a partner for one, cool down, and regain your energy to party hard. Also the DJ can not play in between slow/fast songs where you aren't sure how to dance. They need to stick with upbeat, and please for the love of human life, do not play the boot skooking banookie. We have heard that song far too many times. Essentially cool DJ's that listen to your opinions (if they are good ones) and play good music are cool with me.
5. DJ Equipment: Seriously, nobody wants to have a dance party that includes 2 speakers, neither of which are sub woofers, and a head lamp for lighting. A DJ must have good lighting and good speakers. The more the better, which is always true. A disco ball is always nice too. Please have at least 6 speakers and a screen is always a cool element.
6. The Arena: The place where the dance is held and what is in it. This can vary quite a lot. I find that I prefer carpet over wood because you can slide your feet more. Also there needs to be rather low lights. Decorations are not necessary, but everyone loves a dance that is transformed from a church gym to look like some kind of beautiful park, a mystical jungle, or a San Fransisco skyline. Yes, always put up decorations. It really adds to the moods, and little Christmas lights EVERYWHERE is super awesome (of course, in my opinion). The place should be large enough and have plenty of ventilation so people can stay cool, but still get sweaty hair.
7. Friends: Everybody knows that you have to go dancing with a crew. You have to have at least one person with you and pray that they aren't a wall flower, so that you can expand your view and be willing to dance a little crazier.
8. Music: This was already mentioned with the DJ, but once again upbeat, several slow songs and all will be well.
9. Courage: You must be willing to dance, or why go? You must also be willing to dance with the opposite gender. Come on, every guy goes to dances because he wants to be with girls. I can't speak for the ladies but I assume it is vice versa.
10. Just Have Fun: Loosen up. Smile! Dances are for your benefit and enjoyment, so enjoy it.
These are the 10 basic themes that I can think of right now, and I think that basically sums up a good dance. Maybe some day I will include a pretty good playlist that is safe for dances. We'll see. Thanks for reading! Comment with questions, comments, and positive criticism.
11. Submitted by Tyler Cox and in his words:
1. Attitude and Mood: Before going to a dance, you have to be in the mood. Going to a dance in a bad mood or a bored mood typically relates in a dumb dance, only because you were in a bad mood. So what you have to do is turn on some dancy music and loosen up before you go to the dance.
2. The Outfit: I am a heavy believer in dancing shoes. I always wear my same extremely beat up $10 wal-mart shoes. They are paper thin, but you can move your foot like your hand is in a glove in these shoes they are so loose and comfortable. You probably want your dancing shoes to have little to no grip so you can slide your feet everywhere. It doesn't matter what you wear on your feet to or from the dance as long as you are wearing your dancing shoes. I can not say that a theme at a dance is a necessary requirement, but I think it definitely adds a good element to it. A dress code is thus suggested. For me I find that I can only dance in jeans and a t-shirt. Also dressing like you are a gangsta for whatever reason causes it to be a lot easier to dance better, so always keep in mind what you are wearing.
3. Food: This is basically a necessity. Every good party, dance, and activity are always associated with food. That will certainly liven the environment and give everyone something to do when the dumb DJ plays a naughty song, such as "Moves like Jagger." That comes to my next element, the DJ.
4. Disc Jockey (DJ): This is definitely one of the key elements. Some DJ's believe that they know what you like and so they turn on stupid music from the 70's that they like and they keep all the lights on, so you feel like you are being interrogated. I have had DJ's declare that "The final Countdown" is a slow song. Don't believe them. If this happens, it is time to have your own dance in the parking lot. The DJ's choice of music will change the world. In my opinion a DJ should incorporate at least 6-8 slow songs into every dance, but few do these days. Well, maybe 4-6. Slow songs are so you can talk to a partner for one, cool down, and regain your energy to party hard. Also the DJ can not play in between slow/fast songs where you aren't sure how to dance. They need to stick with upbeat, and please for the love of human life, do not play the boot skooking banookie. We have heard that song far too many times. Essentially cool DJ's that listen to your opinions (if they are good ones) and play good music are cool with me.
5. DJ Equipment: Seriously, nobody wants to have a dance party that includes 2 speakers, neither of which are sub woofers, and a head lamp for lighting. A DJ must have good lighting and good speakers. The more the better, which is always true. A disco ball is always nice too. Please have at least 6 speakers and a screen is always a cool element.
6. The Arena: The place where the dance is held and what is in it. This can vary quite a lot. I find that I prefer carpet over wood because you can slide your feet more. Also there needs to be rather low lights. Decorations are not necessary, but everyone loves a dance that is transformed from a church gym to look like some kind of beautiful park, a mystical jungle, or a San Fransisco skyline. Yes, always put up decorations. It really adds to the moods, and little Christmas lights EVERYWHERE is super awesome (of course, in my opinion). The place should be large enough and have plenty of ventilation so people can stay cool, but still get sweaty hair.
7. Friends: Everybody knows that you have to go dancing with a crew. You have to have at least one person with you and pray that they aren't a wall flower, so that you can expand your view and be willing to dance a little crazier.
8. Music: This was already mentioned with the DJ, but once again upbeat, several slow songs and all will be well.
9. Courage: You must be willing to dance, or why go? You must also be willing to dance with the opposite gender. Come on, every guy goes to dances because he wants to be with girls. I can't speak for the ladies but I assume it is vice versa.
10. Just Have Fun: Loosen up. Smile! Dances are for your benefit and enjoyment, so enjoy it.
These are the 10 basic themes that I can think of right now, and I think that basically sums up a good dance. Maybe some day I will include a pretty good playlist that is safe for dances. We'll see. Thanks for reading! Comment with questions, comments, and positive criticism.
11. Submitted by Tyler Cox and in his words:
If I may add, I find there are far too many people who hold the belief that dancing takes certain skills or talent that one is born with or learns through classes and so on. Not so. Just move your limbs and body to the beat and the music, loosen up, and be willing to sing along because it can sometimes improve your dancing. Also, you can dance by seeing others do some moves and you just pick out some of those moves and mix it with others you see or know and after a few dances you have quite a few moves you know. It's easier than you think. Keep a spark in your eye and hear hear! to the post on being willing to dance with a girl/boy!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Patching the holes
I feel a little bit lighter.
I feel a hole dying
The sky is much brighter
There is hope flying
The day has finally come
I waited long enough.
Maybe I'm overreacting some
but maybe it isn't to much
I'm patching the holes
I'm smiling again
Trying to solidify my roles
the divide isn't as big as the seine
I finally got to answer the call
I heard the voice
and there goes the wall
I heard that noise
and all I can say is that I am happy.
I haven't felt this whole filled in ages.
But it feels so good and it fills me with hope.
Thanks for the call. I've been waiting a long time.
and by the way, this has nothing to do with my mission call, well a tiny bit, but that isn't the subject.
I feel a hole dying
The sky is much brighter
There is hope flying
The day has finally come
I waited long enough.
Maybe I'm overreacting some
but maybe it isn't to much
I'm patching the holes
I'm smiling again
Trying to solidify my roles
the divide isn't as big as the seine
I finally got to answer the call
I heard the voice
and there goes the wall
I heard that noise
and all I can say is that I am happy.
I haven't felt this whole filled in ages.
But it feels so good and it fills me with hope.
Thanks for the call. I've been waiting a long time.
and by the way, this has nothing to do with my mission call, well a tiny bit, but that isn't the subject.
Let it be known
"Dear Elder Rellaford:
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.
You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Haitian Creole language. . . .
Sincerely,
Thomas S. Monson, President"
Oh, and I can't wait!!!!! Haitian Creole!!!!!!! I am so excited to be a missionary. I was born to do this! Florida, here I come!
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.
You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Haitian Creole language. . . .
Sincerely,
Thomas S. Monson, President"
Oh, and I can't wait!!!!! Haitian Creole!!!!!!! I am so excited to be a missionary. I was born to do this! Florida, here I come!
A little bit of Mission pride!
President Anderson and Sister Anderson
Yep we have a temple!
A Truly Great Friend
This post is a shout out to my great friend Cree Anderson. I should first mention that we've been friends for about fourteen years now. I also think I should mention that before I met Cree I dreamed about him. I've always felt that our destiny's were intertwined, but we'll see I suppose. Though we have had distance in between ourselves at times, I have been very grateful to have Cree nearby for the past year or so as we are experiencing similar things in life.
Anyway, Cree got his mission call the same day as I did, but he opened his two days before me. I couldn't believe the anticipation as I waited for my one of my long time best friend to open his mission call. We have been through so much that it was such a cool experience. I felt the spirit so strongly as he opened up that call and bore his testimony of the truthfulness of missions. That curly blond kid that is four days younger than I.
I still have another reason to let Cree know how grateful I am for him. It seems that at times in my life when I have really needed help Cree has been there. When I was in seventh grade I decided to not go on a science field trip because my teacher sprung it on us the two weeks before school ended, well I paid for it and I had an F. I had to go do the field trip by myself, but I had to have someone from the class come do it with me. Cree was willing to sacrifice his afternoon to take me to Adventure Park, but not only that, his parents drove us there and picked us up. He literally helped me pass seventh grade and I couldn't of without him. Just this last week I found out I had work a half hour before and we didn't have a car at home, so Cree gave me a ride to work at Maceys. He also offered to pick me up at l1:00 PM. It truly touched me that I had a friend that cared about me that much that he would be willing to go so far out of his way to make my way possible. He truly is such a Christ-like friend and example. He truly is an everyday hero.
Anyway, Cree got his mission call the same day as I did, but he opened his two days before me. I couldn't believe the anticipation as I waited for my one of my long time best friend to open his mission call. We have been through so much that it was such a cool experience. I felt the spirit so strongly as he opened up that call and bore his testimony of the truthfulness of missions. That curly blond kid that is four days younger than I.
I still have another reason to let Cree know how grateful I am for him. It seems that at times in my life when I have really needed help Cree has been there. When I was in seventh grade I decided to not go on a science field trip because my teacher sprung it on us the two weeks before school ended, well I paid for it and I had an F. I had to go do the field trip by myself, but I had to have someone from the class come do it with me. Cree was willing to sacrifice his afternoon to take me to Adventure Park, but not only that, his parents drove us there and picked us up. He literally helped me pass seventh grade and I couldn't of without him. Just this last week I found out I had work a half hour before and we didn't have a car at home, so Cree gave me a ride to work at Maceys. He also offered to pick me up at l1:00 PM. It truly touched me that I had a friend that cared about me that much that he would be willing to go so far out of his way to make my way possible. He truly is such a Christ-like friend and example. He truly is an everyday hero.
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