Hysteria
Feather
Burn
Stranger Than Fiction
Lick My Lips
Break
Appetite
Love Strikes
Round Your Little Finger
Only One
Damage Control
Don’t Need Love
Kat McPhee was certainly not a favorite of mine when she was on Idol. But since watching her on Scorpion I seem to have a newfound respect for her. This is her 4th studio album. Favorites include: Feather, Lick My Lips & Only One. Definitely a great girl power listen.
Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) in Song is a collection of essays from singer Sara Bareilles. The book contains 8 essays, one of which she gets some friends to help her out on writing and speaking of friends – the book starts off with a forward by Ben Folds. It took her 2 years to finally write this book and in that time she even wrote a musical! There are pics throughout of Sara on stage, Sara growing up, etc. Each chapter starts with a photo and lyrics to the song that the chapter is named after. Some fun things… she went to college with Maroon 5 which is how she ended up opening for them, it tells the real, full story about Love Song – which was a bit more indepth than what I had heard previously (that her record label wanted her to write a love song so she wrote love song for them) and not so fun, about how she was opening for Sugarland when the stage collapsed a few years back. My favorite chapter was the one where she wrote “Dear Sara” letters back to her younger self.
Overall a great book and one that I think anyone will enjoy whether they are familiar with Sara’s music or not.
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
With refreshing candor, Sounds Like Me reveals Sara Bareilles, the artist—and the woman—on songwriting, soul searching, and what’s discovered along the way.
Sara Bareilles shares the joys and the struggles that come with creating great work, all while staying true to yourself. Imbued with humor and marked by Sara’s confessional writing style, this collection tells the inside story behind some of her most popular songs. Most recently known for her chart-topper “Brave,” Sara first broke through in 2007 with her multi-platinum single “Love Song.” She has released five albums that have sold 2.5 million copies and spawned several hits. More than a privileged view inside the experience of a remarkable musical talent—this is a moving tribute to the universal search for growth, healing, and self-acceptance.
From the beginning of the book, when the author wrote a note that if you are easily offended you should shove the book up your anus, I knew I was about to be taken on a wild ride. And that I was.
Baseball Dads tells the story of 4 guys who became friends because their kids all play on the same little league team together. Now they hang out and golf and do drugs and talk about their sexcapades.
What starts with someone seeing the umpire kill a guy and trying to black mail him into talking some sense into the kids baseball coach so they stop playing “daddy baseball” (where the kids get to play where their suck up parents want them to play, regardless of how good they are) and start playing “winning baseball” (you know, where you play ball to win) ends up with a death count that I lost track of after, oh, nine.
Things got so crazy at times I was expecting the main character Dwayne to wake up and realize it was all just a bad trip and none of it really happened. But instead of that happening… things just get more and more ridiculous.
I can’t really talk too much about it for fear I am giving too much away but if you love serial killers like Dexter, are familiar with little league baseball (maybe because you’ve been involved with it – as a coach, parent or in my case, working the concessions) and are looking for something fun to read – this is it. (If you’re not into reading about murder and drugs and sex and other offensive thingsthen I would say this is NOT the book for you, hence the author’s note in the beginning of the book)
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
An irreverent black comedy about sex, drugs, murder…and children’s baseball.
Dwayne Devero is just like you and me, except he simply doesn’t give a s**t any more. He’s had enough. He’s done with people living life wrong. You’ll do it right, or he’ll bury you under the bases at the ballpark where he coaches. It’s just that simple.
Tired of poor decisions being made all around him, from the politics of player positions on his son’s little league baseball team to the philandering of his wife in his own bedroom, Dwayne decides that breaking is better than bending. What follows is a wild ride full of carnage and revenge, led by a man who will stop at absolutely nothing to bring honor back to his family, his community… and children’s baseball.
Baseball Dads is a pitch black comedy in which one man takes on the duty of bludgeoning honor back into a sometimes dishonorable world.
Daron is 19, plays guitar and is on tour. He’s a bit of a prodigy and has been playing since he was a kid. It’s the 1980s. Things were a bit simpler then – no phone for his Dad to track him down on… but at the same time things weren’t as simple. Daron is in the closet. Volume 1 chronicles the beginning of his career – writing songs, playing guitar, helping out on a tour. I have Volume 2 to read next, and I’m glad because 1 did end with a cliffhanger of sorts when it comes to the rest of Daron’s career.
I received a free e-copy in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
Sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Coming out and coming of age in the days of AIDS, MTV, Reaganomics, and Just Say No.
Daron Marks is a young guitar player with a dream, make it big like the guys he grew up idolizing in New Jersey–or at least escape his dysfunctional family. He makes it as far as music school in Rhode Island, and the rock clubs of Boston beckon him. But it’s hard to succeed from the closet.
A story of how finding one’s self is key to finding love, and loving one’s self is key to loving another.
I picked this book because I was going to be going on a trip to New Orleans. And then it ended up getting scheduled to be posted when I am there. Although, after reading it I think I maybe should have waited until I got home to start it 😉
Uneasy in New Orleans is about Finn Jones. The book starts while Finn is giving one of her walking tours of New Orleans and the cemeteries and haunted houses. She spots of dead body. And then it disappeared. And where she saw it, a voodoo doll appears that seems to be in Finn’s likeness. Fortunately, her good friend Jack is a detective. But she is of course in the middle of the investigation now. Jack’s brother Tommy is a PI and Finn has been taking some photos for him. She ends up realizing that one of the women that she had just taken photos of is on the FBIs most wanted list and ends up getting kidnapped by her. And the guy she was in the photos with is after her as well.
Finn seems to find trouble wherever she turns. And her younger sister is living with her for the time being and she ends up trying to hook up with the neighbor boy while Finn is out. Meanwhile, Finn is also trying to go to culinary school and keeping it a secret from everyone because she is worried that her family will think she is a failure that can’t finish anything. Then she ends up getting suspended from the class…
New Orleans seems to be a great backdrop for this story what with the voodoo and the curses that seem to be going on around Finn. Or to Finn. A lot of action and a bit of mystery, this was a great read.
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
FINNIGAN JONES HAS A PASSION FOR COOKING AND A PENCHANT FOR TROUBLE.
Dead bodies aren’t on Finn’s New Orleans walking tour of cemeteries and haunted houses. Ditto disappearing bodies. Now she has to explain to Detective Jack Boyle how her missing corpse has turned up in the Mississippi putting her smack-dab in the middle of a murder investigation.
Unfortunately, another of Finn’s odd jobs is taking questionable photos for Jack’s PI brother, Tommy. After she snaps shots of a dubious pair of lovebirds, they stalk her, then kidnap her. Now Finn’s dealing with two lunatics intent on killing her. Or driving her crazy. She’s not sure which.
Because lunatics and smokin’-hot brothers aren’t enough trouble, she’s gossiping, yes gossiping, with a chef ghost at culinary school, cat-sitting her aunt’s six felines and attempting to corral her wayward teenage sister.
All Finn wants is to survive school and become the best chef in the world.
FINN’S LIFE IS ABOUT TO GET EVEN MORE COMPLICATED.
Headliner: John Mayer
Opener(s): Sheryl Crow, Graham Colton
Venue: Meadows Music Theater
Cost: N/A
Setlist:
N/A
This show was interesting. Things were running late, so the attendant at the handicapped accessible area started scanning our tickets early so once they got the OK for doors we could go right in. Except that when we got the OK for doors we ALSO got the word that John was having throat issues and wouldn’t be performing. Sheryl still would so we could either go in and see her OR we could skip the show and get our refund. I wasn’t sure how refunds would work because our tickets were already scanned, but they finally ended up giving us the refund after me fighting them for what seemed like weeks. Our story checked out w/ the venue so they gave us the refund. John was so bummed he apologized for it a million times the next time he came to town. I wonder if this was the beginning of his throat issues that knocked him out of the game for a bit…
Unfortunately I gave my tickets to my friend Jen since someone she knew had gotten them for us to try and get us the refund and she lost them before she was able to give me mine back.
As you probably know, I have a Silhouette Cameo and have a lot of fun making all sorts of crafty things out of paper and vinyl. So I am always looking for affordable and good quality vinyl to use on my next project. So I was excited to check out this package that contained 35 different colored 12 x 12 permanent vinyl sheets! Some of the sheets were matte and some glossy. With a great variety of colors, I’ll have no problem finding a lot of fun uses for all of it!
35 Gloss COLORS consist of: Gloss Black, Gloss White, Matte White, Matte Black, Brown, Magenta, Tomato Red, Tangerine, Sunbeam Yellow, Kelly Green, Blue, Plum, Wild Cardinal Red, Fiesta Pink, Teal, Violet, Royal Purple, Lavender, Beige, Silver, Medium Grey, Gold, Olympic Blue, Sapphire Blue, Sunflower, Lime Green, Dark Green, Red, Burgundy, Peacock, Flat Black, Matte Yellow, Poppy Red, Forest Green, & Azure Blue.
Angel Craft VINYL is made to last with premium quality and a strong 3 mil thickness. It is best used for INDOOR and OUTDOOR applications with a 5 year durability when properly displayed. This is the BEST assorted color pack you will ever buy! MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!
My first project (and only at the time of writing, but there will be more!) was a canvas for my Mom for her anniversary. I had it designed for ages but had to pick the perfect colors and they were in this set. It cut just as well as other vinyl I have used. The only con was that it is VERY sticky. Makes for a great thing when sticking it to a canvas, but not so great when trying to weed the excess vinyl. I had to cut out some parts 2 or 3 times because even being careful it got stuck to itself and when I tried to get it back apart it ripped. So if you’re going to use this I definitely recommend putting in weeding lines and cutting away the excess often to make sure it doesn’t ruin your masterpiece!
I received this vinyl at a discount in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
Born to be awkward is a collection of photos celebrating those imperfect moments of babyhood. These photos are from awkward family photos and some of them are brand new that have never before been seen! A great collection of babies making funny faces, being tormented by older siblings, holiday mascots and whatever else it is that torments babies. If you love the website you’ll love the book – and there are even spots in the back of the book for you to add your own awkward baby photos!
I received a free copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
From the folks who brought us the bestselling Awkward Family Photos series comes a tribute to those awkward early years of life.
Our first few years are the most photographed time of our lives. Our parents document every milestone and then feel compelled to share these photos with the world. The only problem is, we haven’t developed our motor skills and can’t control our faces, or any other parts of our body for that matter. This, of course, leads to some of the most hilarious and unexpected family pictures. From our first post-delivery scowl, to our first throw-up, and yes, even to our first bikini–Born to Be Awkward is a celebration of what is literally the most uncomfortable stage of life.
As I had mentioned in an earlier post, Hanson’s current tour is 2 shows in each city. I am going to 6 shows, or 3 cities. My first one was New York City. My goal for the entire tour was to hear *10* new songs live that I had never heard before. After the first 2 shows I have heard 13. I guess now with my trip I have nothing else to aspire to – only to hope they start to mix the setlist up a little more.
We were a bit nervous heading back to Irving Plaza after all the trouble we had last time Hanson was in town. But the staff members we had issue with seem to no longer be on the staff and everything worked out ok – except for the fact that they didn’t tell us I could only bring 1 person to ADA with me so we’d have to split up 2 and 1. Fortunately for the second night we were able to work it out so we could all be together.
Night 1 was covers night where I had 9 new songs. They did mix in a few Hanson songs too. They did U2, Stevie Wonder, Beach Boys, Billy Joel, Paul Simon… a lot of the music I grew up on (because as my mom said “their parents are your parents”) That was going to be a hard setlist (and a hard tour) to top.
Night 2 was Hanson night but the did some more covers – like Michael Jackson and Ed Sheeran and Taylor did a solo rendition of “A Song For You” which I know from American Idol (Elliott and I think Kris Allen has done it too) but I may be biased but I think Taylor’s is one of the best I’ve heard.
And of course since every Hanson concert needs to be an adventure – we were told the afterparty was starting at 11 and ended up getting there a little after 11 (thanks to a super slow waiter) and decided we’d leave about 12:30 to give us roughly an hour to take 2 subways to Penn Station. (Looking back – we should have just gotten a cab but hindsight is 20/20) When the first subway took FOR-EV-ER to get to the platform we thought we’d still have enough time because we had built in extra time to account for me walking slow, etc and I’d just kick it into high gear if I had to. Well, when the second subway also took FOR-EV-ER to get there we knew we were screwed. So were a bunch of others on the platform. So we had 2 options. Wait until the next train 3 hours later (4am) OR pay a premium to get a ride back to New Jersey – something that a lot of cabs didn’t want to do. So we decided to pay the premium for a ride.
Night 2 we decided to drive in to make sure we wouldn’t have to deal with missing any trains – only to have my friend Marisa tell me she was in the car with it running charging her phone and she sees a guy in the side mirror peeing on the back of my car. I mean how stupid/drunk/on drugs do you have to be to pee on a car that someone is obviously in because it is RUNNING? She ended up turning the car off and hitting the lock/unlock to make the lights flash and then he went “oh shit” yeah. Asshole.
Also in attendance Night 2 was MTV Wanna Be A VJ winner – Jesse Camp! We saw him during the show (and I may have freaked out a little…) and after the show he went by the barricades set up at the bus to meet people. We were nowhere near close though I did try t get a few pics. We also struck out getting pics with Hanson since we weren’t near the barricades. Bummer.
Highlights include…
Taylor: If you’re with a guy you have to remind to tell you you’re beautiful, you’re with the wrong guy
Isaac: And if he doesn’t hold a door open for you, he’s also the wrong guy
Zac: And if you have to remind him to shower… he’s every guy
(paraphrased)
After night 1 there were 2 girls fighting and security went to break it up and one of the security guards (female) grabbed on of the girls and put her IN A HEADLOCK to get her off the other girl. Probably one of the craziest things I’d ever seen at a Hanson show.
At the after party there was a girl in just her bra dancing around. At the bus after the show night 2 there was a girl in a bra because she took her shirt off to have Zac & Taylor sign it. (And it was COLD that night)
Watching the bus driver attempt to park the bus along the sidewalk 18 thousand times (which then blocked the view of the bar across the street and the playoff baseball I was watching!)
Song of the weekend: I can’t feel my face
Setlists under the cut and photos coming soon!
The Beginning
Before You
Down In History
I Am Always Going To Love You
Don’t Mess With My Girl
I Want You Anyway
Thank God
More Than Me
You and I
Let Go
Walk Away
I’m not sure that I’ve ever fallen in love so quickly with a new album like I have with Like Us before. A lot of the songs on this album remind me of the Jon that I fell in love with back in 2007 with his album Indiana. Not to say that the stuff in between has been bad, but there is just something about this album that seemed familiar which may be why I love it so much. Typically in these reviews I like to list out my favorite songs – but honestly if I did that it would be about 90% of the album. It would be easier for me to tell me what songs I *don’t* love. (None of them!) This album came out on October 9th and I encourage you all to check it out. Jon is also on tour NOW… be sure to check out www.jonmcl.com for all the details. I’ll be seeing him in about a month and you can expect a full report sometime after!
Katie