Hallelujah

For those of you like me, with an unusually deep love and appreciation for Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and all its many covers (the best of which we could debate ad nauseam, if you'd like to), you may have missed this amazing rendition from Côr Glanaethwy, a Welsh choir, on the 2015 Britain's Got Talent grand finale. So here you go:

Wait. Got your kleenex ready? (Or is it just me who cries when this song is played??)



Chills.

Newsweek ranked 60 versions in February 2015, here. From that list, Regina Spektor's is great and I will always love Jason Castro's version from AI, which mesmerized us when it aired in season 7.


Sunday Stealing: Unusual Things
1. Who was the last person of the opposite sex you laid in a bed with?
Jeff

2. Where was the last place you went out to eat?
Satellite Bistro

3. What was the last alcoholic beverage you consumed? 
Masi Pinot Grigio last night at Satellite Bistro

4. Which do you prefer - eyes or lips? 
lips

5. Medicine, fine arts, or law?
medicine

6. Best kind of pizza? 
salami and pepperoncini

7. Is your bedroom window open?
It's June in Texas. So... no.

8. What is in store for your future? 
I thought this said my furniture. Ahhhhhhaha. I hope there are more travel destinations and more concerts in my very near future!

9. Who was the last band you saw live? 
ACK. It's been so long. I'm seriously having live music withdrawals. I'm pretty sure it was Bruno Mars. Or Maroon 5. One of those.

10. Do you take care of your friends while they are sick?
I haven't needed to care for them much, but I'm here if they need anything!

11. Any historical figures that you envy?
Not really.

12. How many songs are on your iTunes?
2221

13. What brand of digital camera do you own?
I can't remember. I haven't used it since I got an iPhone.

14. When was the last time you got a good workout?
Um, counting when I climbed four flights of stairs a couple of weeks ago? No? It's been probably been 18 months since I went to a gym with Crystal.

15. Are you experienced?
If I weren't, it would be a sad thing at this stage of my life.

16. If you need a new pair of jeans, what store do you go to first?
Macy's

17. Are you a quitter?
Nope. I give people, jobs and life situations far too many chances than I should before I quit them. It's a curse. To the middle school volleyball coach who told me and my teammates who quit that season for very good reason that we "would always be quitters in life," I give the double-barrel middle fingers.

18. What are two bands or singers that you will always love? 
Only TWO?  If I limit to my own generation and ignore the recent stuff and my parent's stuff... Duran Duran and George Michael/Wham. That may be three. Gah. Next question please.

19. What of the seven deadly sins are you guilty of? 
Envy, gluttony and lust. Hey, I'm at less than 50%.

20. Did you just have to google the seven deadly sins to see what they were? 
Maybe. This is one of those medium lists of 5-7 things where every time you count them off, you miss a different one!

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Google Ads Settings

I don't tend to opt out of letting Google, Facebook and other advertisers gather general information about me based on my internet usage. I figure if they are going to show me ads, they may as well be for products and services in which I might be interested.

Turns out Google knows me very well. It correctly guessed my age range (wow!). It also (although less impressively) has correctly identified my interests:

Austin-Round Rock
Brand Management
Breakfast Foods
Career Resources and Planning
Celebrities and Entertainment News
Computers and Electronics
Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
Food and Drink
Gifts and Special Event Items
Home and Garden
Hotels and Accommodations
Houston
Jobs
Movies
Music and Audio
Outdoors
Parenting
Photo and Video Software
Restaurants
San Antonio
Texas
Travel

Well... except "breakfast foods." Not sure what that's about.

Wanna see who Google thinks you are? Click here

Was Google right about you? Some people are creeped out by all the information they gather. Here's an article from The Onion *snerk*...

Google Responds To Privacy Concerns With Unsettlingly Specific Apology

"...perhaps Dale Gilbert should just take a few deep breaths and go sit in his car and relax, like they tell him to do at the anger management classes he attends over at St. Francis Church every Tuesday night." Ha!


Saturday 9: I Miss You (1997)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Bjork knows what she's looking for in a mate, she just hasn't met him yet. If you are/were still looking for The One, what two qualities would you hope he/she possessed?
sense of humor, appreciation of life

2) The lyrics ask if you believe "that a dream can come true." Do you believe that dreams come true if you wish hard enough?
Wishing has nothing to do with your dreams coming true. You have to actively pursue your goals.

3) Bjork turns 50 this year. Do you treat "milestone" birthdays differently? Or to you, is your age just a number?
A milestone birthday may be an excuse for a bigger celebration, but the age itself is just a number to me.

4) Bjork was always highly musical. At the tender age of 6 she began studying classical piano and flute. Sam is impressed because at the age of 6, she was still trying to master tying her shoes. Do you consider yourself musical?
Yep

5) She was born and raised in Reykjavik, Iceland. While the city is known for its bar scene, beer was banned there until 1995. How often do drink beer?
Maybe once every couple of months.

6) 66ºNORTH is one of Iceland's biggest employers. This clothier makes quality outdoor wear and this time of year they sell a lot of durable rainwear. Do you have a raincoat?
Nope

7) In 1997, when this song was popular in clubs, Titanic was popular in theaters. Sam saw it and yes, she cried. How about you? Have you seen the saga of Jack and Rose? Did you enjoy it?
LOVED it.

8) Also in 1997, singer John Denver died. Name a John Denver song.
One of my faves is "Thank God I'm a Country Boy." You can't listen without bouncing around or tapping your toe.



9) Random question: If you had the opportunity to sky dive, would you take it? 
Not in a million years.

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Saturday 9

The TMZ staff were on a ROLL yesterday. I was laughing so hard at the banter through the entire show. They really crack me up.


Saturday 9: Daddy's Little Man (1969)
... because it's Father's Day weekend
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song is about an afternoon visit between a father and son. What are your plans for Saturday afternoon?
We went car shopping for a new car for Jeff. We hit Honda, Hyundai and Toyota.

2) The lyrics talk about enjoying an ice cream cone. Do you have any ice cream in your freezer right now?
Just emptied the triple chocolate for another of Lauren's shakes. (She's had a terrible sore throat.)

3) Sam's father hates it when she swears. When is the last time you cursed?
Yesterday when I was talking to Crystal on the phone. I took the day off, so that was the only time we were talking about work! :)

4) In a recent ranking of movie dads, Mufasa (Lion King) and Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird) got very high marks. Who is your favorite movie or TV father?
Dill Penderghast (Stanley Tucci) in Easy A

5) Sam's own father often traveled for business, and always remembered to bring her the little complimentary soaps, shampoos or body lotion he got from the hotel. When you take a trip, do you bring back souvenirs?
Usually Christmas ornaments.

6) Back when Sam was in high school, it was her father who gave her driving lessons. Who taught you how to drive?
my boyfriend

7) Sam's own father is easy to buy for: every year he wants a new pair of loafers, so every year for Father's Day she gives him a DSW gift card. Would you rather receive a gift that someone chose, even though it might not be just right, or do you prefer a gift card or cash so you can get exactly what you want?
If someone gets me a gift card for a specific store where I want something or they want me to get a specific thing, like the story above, I don't mind a gift card. Otherwise, I would more enjoy getting a gift that someone chose, that wasn't just right.

8) For family barbecues, Sam's dad dons his "Kiss the Chef" apron and mans the Weber. What's the last thing you cooked on the grill?
I haven't cooked on a grill since the last time we went to U R Cooks, which was probably 15 years ago. I would LOVE to learn to grill and do it well.

9) Sam's father satisfies his afternoon sugar craving with an almost endless stream of Butter Rum Lifesavers. When you crave a snack, do you usually want something sweet or salty?
salty

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Courageous and Brave, Eh?

Still waiting to see an apology to the Dallas Police from CNN's Fredricka Whitfield for calling the police headquarters shooter "courageous and brave." I hope she meant to say something like "brazen" and just F'd it up royally, but come on. You immediately apologize for a gaffe like that.

Did she intend to say it? Our benefit of the doubt is dwindling with CNN's silence.

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Movie Saturday in Review

Saw Entourage yesterday. I didn't realize at the beginning of the movie that Ari was trying to be a kinder, gentler version of himself. I thought the writers had just toned him down- a lot - which was bumming me out. Ha! He was back to his old self soon enough. Fun movie!

We watched Still Alice on video last night. It jumped forward with quite a jolt every now and then, but that is sometimes unavoidable with films where a lot of time passes. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending. Very interesting perspective though. It was very sad, but overall I thought it was good.

Headed out to Lake Travis for the Luxury Tour of Homes today. I hope the rain clears!


Sunday Stealing: Would You Rather Meme, part two

Would you rather go to a movie or to dinner alone? 
a movie for sure

Would you rather always say everything on your mind or never speak again? 
always say everything on my mind

Would you rather make a phone call or send a text? 
If we're going to say more than a couple of sentences, I'm calling you.

Would you rather read an awesome book or watch a good movie?
watch a good movie

Would you rather be the most popular person at work or school or the smartest?
smartest

Would you rather put a stop to war or end world hunger? 
stop war

Would you rather spend the night in a luxury hotel room or camping surrounded by beautiful scenery? 
luxury hotel all the way

Would you rather explore space or the ocean? 
ocean

Would you rather go deep sea diving or bungee jumping? 
no thank you

Would you rather be a kid your whole life or an adult your whole life? 
adult

Would you rather go on a cruise with friends or with your spouse?
either, they're just different experiences
 
Would you rather lose your keys or your cell phone? 
cell phone

Would you rather eat a meal of cow tongue or octopus? 
octopus

Would you rather have x-ray vision or magnified hearing? 
x-ray vision

Would you rather work in a group or work alone?
I like to work in a group, but with a specific task that is mine alone.

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Goodbye Happy Hour #1

We celebrated my office mate last night, wishing her well in her new job, where she'll be a traveling software sales chick for a gigantic company in a completely different industry. It will be a big change for her!

Next sendoff is Crystal. Bah.

Now that I'll be alone in my office, I want to put a really pretty, low wattage lamp in there, instead of using the big fluorescent lights every day. Several people just use the light from the windows and don't turn on the overhead lights, but I find that most of my tasks really need a bit more light than the window provides. Lamp shopping time!

In other news... this is happening in Toronto and NYC--
David Byrne: Flying the Flag for Colour Guard

Pretty darn cool!


Saturday 9: American Pie (1971)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In the lyrics, Don McLean refers to having once been a paper boy. When you were a kid, what job or household chores did you do for spending money?
My parents didn't pay me to do chores. I got an allowance and did chores for free! And never complained. Heh.

2) Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye. What's the last drink you ordered?
New Mexican Martini with the gang last night at Chuy's

3) He drove to the levee but it was dry. When is the last time it rained where you are?
Yesterday around noon, it rained a teensy bit.

4) When McLean was working on the song, he wrote the lyrics out in long hand. It took him 16 pages of lined notebook paper. Today it's a laptop/smartphone/tablet world, and Sam can't remember the last time she hand wrote anything longer than a sign on her front door that read, "Bell broken. Plz knock." What about you? What's the last thing you wrote with pen or pencil?
For the last three weeks, we've been doing QC on one of my studies. It is a process of endless paperwork, and I have to review every single audit report for each patient, then comment by hand and sign the report. My hand was killing me within the first ten minutes. It's funny how quickly your hand hurts when you write after not writing much for so long. The last thing I wrote was "Ready to scan" on a Post-It, since the reports are done. Yay!!

5) McLean's most recent CD is called "Addicted to Black," in reference to Olivia in The Twelfth Night. Quick! Without looking it up, name another character from Shakespeare.
Hamlet. Is using a title character cheating? Okay-- Mercutio.

6) Don was born in New Rochelle, New York, which was named one of The Best Walking Cities in America by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). What about your neighborhood? Is it easily walkable?
My neighborhood is endlessly walkable, with sidewalks on every street and walking trails through the greenbelt.

7) In 1971, the year this song was popular, Walt Disney World officially opened. Have you ever been to DisneyLand or Disney World?
I've been to Disney World twice- once with Jeff for our first anniversary and once when we went with the Angs and took the kids, when Lauren was 5-ish.

8) Also in 1971, Mattel introduced Malibu Barbie. This doll was a "sun-loving California girl" and had a distinct tan. Have you ever used a tanning bed?
No, but I did one summer of Mystic Tan at the tanning salon. I got tired of it though.

9) American Pie is also the name of a 1999 movie. Have you seen it?
Of course! "This one time... at band camp..."

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Parade of Homes 2015

Ahahaha! Ahhhh.

Toured the HBA Parade of Homes in Lakeway yesterday with Jeff and Julie. This year's homes are really beautiful! The views in Serene Hills are to die for. My favorite element was in the Eppright home, where the infinity pool back wall is visible at the far end from a cozy lower deck seating area, so you can watch the water cascade down, with the hills beyond. Very cool!

Sunday Stealing: Would You Rather Meme, part one

Would you rather go into the past and meet your ancestors or go into the future and meet your great-great grandchildren?
I would love to go to the past and meet my ancestors, not only to see where I came from, but because I would be able to tell them about the future, which would be superfun.

Would you rather have more time or more money?
time

Would you rather have a rewind button or a pause button on your life? 
definitely rewind

Would you rather be able to talk with the animals or speak all foreign languages? 
speak all foreign languages

Would you rather win the lottery or live twice as long?
win the lottery

Would you feel worse if no one showed up to your wedding or to your funeral? 
funeral

Would you rather be without internet for a week, or without your phone?
internet

Would you rather meet George Washington, or the current President? 
Obama. I don't know that I'd have a lot to say to George Washington.

Would you rather lose your vision or your hearing? 
As much as I love and live music, I have to say hearing, because I think it would be scary as all get out not to be able to see.

Would you rather work more hours per day, but fewer days or work fewer hours per day, but more days?
more hours per day fewer days

Would you rather listen to music from the 70’s or music from today? 
today

Would you rather become someone else or just stay you? 
stay me

Would you rather be Batman or Spiderman? 
Spiderman of course

Would you rather be stuck on a broken ski lift or in a broken elevator? 
broken elevator

For your birthday, would you rather receive cash or gifts?
I appreciate the thought put into a gift more than cash or gift cards.

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"Stupid Mistakes"

Watching the Duggar parents call their son's molestation of their own daughters and another girl "stupid mistakes" infuriates me. They have got to be kidding with that line of BS. The daughters call it the same thing. REALLY? Would they all say the same if it were someone outside their family who had done the same thing?

A "stupid mistake" when you're 15 is drinking a beer out of the fridge while your parents are at work, not molesting children. It is truly frightening that these people can rationalize something so heinous. I would understand their supporting him, but to dismiss this criminal act as a stupid mistake is simply ridiculous.

The police let the whole thing go because the son had gotten counseling. That decision is for a judge, not a police department! It's also convenient how the statute of limitations ran out with the late reporting (during which time the molestation continued within their own family) and the sweeping under the rug by their police.

How anyone can watch that show is beyond me. I hope they never put it back on the air. 

And now (quantum leap...) I see on GMA that Red Cross is being accused yet again of misspending donations. Hasn't everyone learned that Red Cross doesn't spend their money the way you assume they do? They've been accused of misspending all over the country for years (just search Google). When you donate, they spend where they feel money is needed, which may not be in the local area.

I think I'll turn off the news now, so I can get a more positive start to my Thursday. Ha!

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