30 Day Song Challenge – Week 3 Recap

Here we are again! “LET’S GO LET’S GO LET’S GO LET’S GO” -Matt and Kim

Day 13: You can listen to over and over and over again
“Oceans” by The Format

I love the music. I love the band. It brings back good memories of people I’m incredibly fond of. That about covers it!

(I should note that, though “Oceans” won out right now, it was very closely followed by “Lazaretto” by Jack White, “HandClap” by Fitz and the Tantrums, and “I’m Alright (Theme from Caddyshack)” by Kenny Loggins)

Day 14: You’re surprised you love
“Stronger” by Kanye West

Kanye. West. I wish I didn’t like some of his music as much as I do because I can’t handle how narcissistic he is. HOWEVER. This song is cool and catchy and samples Daft Punk and it’s on my “motivation playlist” (along with Ariana Grande’s “Break Free”, so that’s up there on this list too).

Day 15: Is in your head right this very second
“Mother and Child Reunion” by Paul Simon

A lot of Paul Simon’s songs tend to get stuck in my head, so it was only natural that this is my answer this go-around. I heard this and “You Can Call Me Al” earlier in the week, but “Mother and Child Reunion” was the one that got its little fangs more deeply into my brain this time.

Day 16: Your sibling loved to listen to
“Idioteque” by Radiohead

My younger brother discovered Radiohead when he was in junior high, and became particularly obsessed with some of their more experimental (and borderline nonsensical) stuff. Our whole house became familiar with their Kid A album thanks to him, and “Idioteque” stands out because he listened to it on repeat until he learned all the lyrics. Now all the words are seared into my memory as well. I guess there are worse things!

Day 17: Makes you stop in your tracks
“We’re Going To Be Friends” by The White Stripes

This song always captures my attention and I can’t help but sing along to it. It takes me out of whatever I’m doing or thinking about and lifts my emotions–it’s so sweet and simple, and it takes me back to the first few days of grade school in those Septembers of yesteryear. It’s just wonderful in its loveliness. Also, side note, it’s the theme to the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast, so I get to hear a portion of it each week. Yayyyy!!

Day 18: Helped influence a decision you made
“Crooked Teeth” by Death Cab for Cutie

“And you can’t find nothing at all 
If there was nothing there all along”

Ouch. This song spoke to me while I was in the middle of deciding whether or not to break up with someone I had been dating long-distance for two years. While I was thinking through that dilemma, “Crooked Teeth” played from some playlist I had, and I remember hearing these lyrics and thinking, crap, Ben Gibbard’s right. It was sad, but it’s what I needed to hear, and it helped me stay confident in the decision I made to proceed with ending the relationship.

Day 19: Has a really good music video
“Can’t Stop” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers

I’m actually not a big fan of Red Hot Chili Peppers, but this is one of my more favorite songs of theirs, and it helps that there’s a sweet music video to go along with it. The flickering lamps are my favorite art pieces used in the video, and they remind me of one of my other favorite music videos (Weezer’s “El Scorcho”). I can just imagine the director and the band playing around with the “props” they were given and having fun with the idea, and so I always enjoy watching this.

Until sometime soon! Can’t believe the challenge is more than half-way over!

month challenge: April 2019

Tomorrow is April, folks! Not sure how we got here already, but I’m excited for a fresh new season and the onslaught of Cadbury creme eggs. Aided once again by my Ink + Volt planner, I’ve thought through and settled on a fun way to ease back into month-long challenges in general.

My go-to method of learning about people I don’t know very well is to explore the relatively safe space and colorful world of popular culture with them, asking all kinds of borderline-annoying questions about TV/music/movies/etc. So this challenge features the music portion of this lil habit of mine, and it turns the tables by making myself answer the prompts I so often enjoy using to interrogate prospective lifelong friends.

First, I need to fill out the part of my planner that acts as my oath and covenant for the month:

Second, I need to share my questionnaire! May I present to you, my month-long Song-a-Day challenge prompts….

BEHOLD:

(I know it’s for 31 days, so I’ll probably just answer the last 2 questions on the 30th)

As I mentioned in the planner, I’ll be reporting on my progress at the end of each week with links to my songs–who knows, maybe we can get a decent playlist created as a result of this too!

Feel free to play along at home, and share your answers in the comments. Have fun–and wish me luck!

let me be your friend? part 1

Christie with Coffee as Usual

Hello and welcome, future friend. My name is Christie, and I like to write, but I’m slightly out of practice. And I like a mess of different things. Hence, blogging!!!! (also, be warned–I’m a huge exclamation points fan)(!)

I’m super happy to be here, and am even happier that you’ve chosen to spend some time in this little corner of the internet with me.

I don’t know about you, but the best way to *truly* learn about a person is through a late 1990’s/early 2000’s-style chain email survey. These puppies are always super long though, so I’ll break it out into a few different posts. Shall we begin with part one?

*~*AbOuT mE*~*

Nicknames? Chris, Crispy
Where do you live? Chicagoland area of Illinois
Age? 32
Shoe size? 7-7.5 (8 in Converse All-Stars)
Pets? Sadly none! I dream of having a dog or capybara someday though…
Obsessions? “Weird Al” Yankovic, stationery and journals and planners,
comedy (shows, movies, stand-up, podcasts, Twitter accounts, etc), Japanese language and culture, coffee, bread, bright colors, upbeat music, being warm
Bad habits? Too much coffee drinking, going to bed too late
Phobias? Sadly, driving is a huge fear, especially driving on the highway. More scary to me than driving though is conflict and public speaking!
Who is your best friend? the husband

Fentimans Rose Lemonade. Soda of the gods.
Best. Soda. Ever.

What was the last book you read? Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
What’s the best thing you’ve ever been given? getting Jesus-y here! Redemption through Jesus, and the hope that everything will be made good and right.
What’s the worst thing you’ve ever been given? It was so well-meaning, and honestly not the absolute worst, but the first thing that comes to mind is a set of white pillowcases we were given for our wedding that say in script “Always Kiss Me Goodnight”. I know it’s sweet, but it’s so not me/us.
What are your future goals? To own a business and be my own boss.
What’s your most embarrassing moment? I never ever ever have an answer to this question, which is both a little annoying and quite relieving. I avoid a lot of social risks where I can, and I’m in a constant state of being awkward, so it’s hard to pin down.
Who do you consider the most beautiful woman in the world? probably Lupita Nyong’o
Who do you consider the most handsome man in the world? Haha… um… Keanu Reeves. I can literally feel my face turning red, sigh.
Favorite thing to do on a hot summer day? Go for a walk in nature, or for a walk in a city and visit little independent shops.
Favorite thing to do on a snowy winter day? Two words: Blanket burrito.

Super Mario All-Stars
I love Super Mario games, especially the classics.

Who is your hero? My heroes past and present include: Weird Al, Tina Fey, Conan O’Brien, Super Mario, and Leonardo from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Favorite color? Blue! But I love bright colors of all kinds.
Favorite show(s)? Arrested Development, Conan, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Comedy Bang Bang, 30 Rock, IT Crowd, Cobra Kai, Pen15, Bob’s Burgers, and so so so many more…
Favorite drink? Fentimans Rose Lemonade, Coca-Cola, coffee, Maker’s Mark on the rocks!
Early or Late riser? Late, sometimes too late!
Half full or Half empty? Half-empty–I’m a bit on the cynical side, despite my exclamation points!

What do you say? Want to be friends?