The music of my soul

So I'm pretty much obsessed with music- my one manager said it perfectly the other day when he said I always relate everything back to either music or reality tv. (hey! I like what I like!!)

Over the last two weeks I've bought probably way too much music- but in particular (besides the misc random songs I've bought) I bought 4 cds. Miley Cyrus, Drake and First State's new albums and also the Memphis album.

Miley Cyrus- Can't Be Tamed ....

Well. I won't lie. I was pretty damn excited about this cd coming out. I'm definitely a big Miley fan (hey- I love Hannah Montana, I won't lie. I'm not ashamed. Judge me.) Not to mention the fact that we rode in a taxi with Jason Earles (Hannah's bro on the show) in Nassau last year... anyways, that really doesn't matter- but never-the-less I was excited. (and I know some others who were excited too)

Ok, but back to the review. So the first song comes on. Liberty Walk. Good beat, I was feeling the first song. Second song comes on. Who Own's My Heart. I'm thinking, ok, again I like the beat. It's catchy... but the chorus is a little weird. Can't Be Tamed is the next song so I'm drawn back in and thinking positively but THEEEEN comes on Every Rose Has It's Thorn. Ok, ummmm. *crickets* REALLY MILEY? REALLY? So she starts loosing me here.... The rest of the cd is OK. The only other songs I really like are Two More Lonely People and Robot. Scars is OOOOKKK. The remix of Can't Be Tamed really isn't that different except Lil Jon yells YEAAAHHHH a few times through out it.

My Rating: C

My Advice: Don't have someone write really stupid songs for you, stop trying to sound like Ashley Simpson and go more pop/techno. You're really not that great of a singer so play off of the dance aspect of a song.

My Most Hated Song on the Album: Either Every Rose Has It's Thorn or Forgiveness and Love. It's really a tie.

Drake- Thank Me Later ...

Lisa at work was really talking up this album so I was really excited to listen to it. I've definitely been a fan of Aubrey since his Jimmy days on Degrassi... but back then little did I know he went by his middle name of Drake! (shockinnggg!)  I wonder if he's still friends with Jake Epstein (who definitely was the background on my computer when I first went to college, just saying)... maybe he'd want to hook a sister up? Maybe? Awe reminiscing about Degrassi makes me want to watch it! I wish my seasons weren't in storage!!

Anyways... again, side tracked (maybe I have ADD... I apologize) I really do like the cd. WAYYYY better than Miley's (sorry girl). But I don't know... call it what you want, but I really am a more upbeat song type of girl. I really can appreciate the different sounding beats and songs he has laid on this album (and they really are awesome- seriously.) but there are only like 4 songs that I've put on my play list that I listen to everyday: Over, Show Me A Good Time, Up All Night (I mean come on- Nicki Minaj is my girrrrrrl - LOVE HER) and Find Your Love. Fancy is growing on me- I'll give you that Drake.

My Rating: B

My Advice: Free Weezy and get him to collaborate on some more upbeat songs. You should totally marry Nicki Minaj and make twenty albums together. I swear, if you both sang the phone book to me I'd probably love it more than anything.

My Most Hated Song on the Album: I don't really hate any of the songs on the cd. They're all good, I just like the upbeat ones better.

Memphis: A New Musical ...

So I downloaded this cd once I saw it won the Tony for Best Musical. (Ok, call it bandwagon, but I can't buy evvvvery single musical cd when it comes out!) The music is good. I liked a few songs of the album- in particular Music of My Soul was my favorite. I really didn't appreciate how well written and amazing these songs were until this past weekend when I went and saw the show live. WOW. WOW. WOW.  I honestly feel blessed to have seen Chad Kimball and Montego Glover perform in the roles of Huey and Felicia. THEY WERE PHENOMENAL! Every time they sang I was seriously just sitting there with my jaw on the floor. The way Montego sang Colored Woman just really gave me chills. I've had Steal Your Rock N Roll stuck in my head since leaving the theater. The company probably helped make the show awesome too ;-)

My Rating: B (before seeing the show), A+ (after seeing it live)

My Advice: Go to NYC. See this show. I swear you won't regret it. 

My Most Hated Song on the Album: Scratch My Itch.. I really just don't get it?

Watch their Tony performance - it's so good :-) This is the last scene of the show... definitely had you singing while headed out the doors!

First State- Crossing Lanes ...

OMG. OMG. OMG. VERY RARELY do you find a cd where you don't want to change the song because every single track is amazing. Well, this cd is one of those cds. Seriously- it's sooooo good. I really fell in love with First State after hearing their Falling with Anita Kelsey a few years back on a Tiesto's Club Life Podcast. It just really is an album that I haven't heard for a long time. The mix of sounds and beats on this album are amazing. It starts off so mellow with My Sanctuary and builds on to more upbeat trance with Cape Point to catchy, dance-y songs like Cross the Line. Honestly, if you love electro dance music go and buy this album RIGHT NOW.

My Rating: A+++ (I'm currently sooooo obsessed)

My Advice: BUY IT RIGHT NOW. 

My Most Hated Song on the Album: None. Love them all.

Hopefully this review of 4 completeeeeeely different albums has broadened your horizons and has peaked your interest into buying some new songs!!!

Play on plaayyyyaaa ....

Juls!

soooooooo maybe I'll get a new phone...

Yesterday I downloaded the new iOS4 for my iPhone and I'm really starting to think about getting the new iPhone too...

I'm loving the new features on the os! I love the new spell check and how you can folder your apps (not to mention I can't wait to try out the zoom on the camera! haha), but there is one thing I'm a little weary about... and that's the multitasking. I already have to charge my phone twice a day because I'm always on it, so now I'm worried that since I can have more than 1 app running at a time my phone battery is going to not even make it through the morning!!! After reading into more reviews of the iOS it appears that there are only a small subset of apps that actually WILL run in the background so it's said that the multitasking will not effect battery life... we shall see!! Read more about all the features here- Cult of Mac- iOS4 Review It's a good article.

Has anyone heard anything about the battery life on the new iPhones? Is it something that they looked at to make any better or no? I just know that on my 3GS the battery drains so quickly it's kinda ridic... but that's fine. I'm not giving up my iPhone anytime soon!

I saw this hilarious article about making a paper iPhone until the real one comes out. hahaha check it out. I'm totally printing it out right now ;-)

The Miley Cyrus cd came out yesterday and, although I won't lie I thought it'd be better than it is, it still is a decent cd. I've been listening closely to a lot of the lyrics on the cd and I have to admit there are a lot of good messages in her song. (haha wowww such a mom thing to say) I really like how in her Can't Be Tamed Song she says
I'm not a trick you play, I ride a different way
I'm not a mistake, I'm not a fake,
It's set in my DNA
Don't change me

I really like her Robot song on the cd too... I was looking online for a video of her performing it well, BUTTTT I'll be honest- every video of her singing this live isn't that great. But here's one of the better ones (haha) and just listen to it on the cd too because the recorded version is 10 times better.

Miley Cyrus- Robot

My Dream Job...

So I know it's only been like 2 weeks since I started this blog, but I'm trying my hardest to start to break into more social media networks. I've decided that since I love being online and socializing I really want to get into the world of social marketing. I had a huge discussion about this at work, which stemmed from a conversation that there were actually professional tweeters out there in the world. How awesome of a job would that be? I could totally be awesome at it... not gonna lie.

Yesterday when I was at my Aunt and Uncle's for Father's day my cousin was talking about how MTV is looking for a TJ- Twitter Jockey! I've now decided that I need to go after this and try to get selected. So PLEASE go to this website and nominate me!!! And if you don't already follow me on twitter do so!!! @jMFcer   --- I'm kind of kicking myself now because I only ever accept friends who I know and I always denied others, but now I wish I had a higher number of followers!

When I get older, I will be stronger, they'll call me freedom, just like a waving flagggg sooooo wave your flag!!!!!!
My brother and I are currently obsessed with this song:
Knaan feat. Will.i.am and David Guetta- Waving Flag 

Destination Scotland!!

YAY! New Blogs! My sister has started a blog that she's going to be keep during her trip to Scotland.

I'm sooooooo proud of her for getting selected to go on such an amazing opportunity! I asked if I could go and chaperone, but was asked who would chaperone me then? Point taken.

Anyways- everybody should follow her blog! I can't wait to see all the places you go Natalie!!

Natalie's Scotland Blog

Awesome new song: I downloaded the new Drake cd last night and it's really good. I can't decide which is my favorite song off of it yet- but this one is awwwwwwesome!! Drake- Find Your Love

There's an app for that...

I just ran across 2 videos that totally blew my mind... haha. This Korean girl is using iphones to create songs and it's like dead on!!!

Man and all this time I've had the T-Pain app on my phone and haven't been using it to it's fullest potential!

Using 4 different iphones- Lady Gaga's Poker Face

Using 3 different iphones- Beyonce's Irreplaceable

Check out the rest of Applegirl002's youtube channel. Apparently she has like a legit music video too 'My Music' ... and I actually kinda like it

It's kinda ironic that I found this today because I just went through and took off a ton of apps on my phone that I never use! Any suggestions on new apps I should get?

I just want to guard and protect your heart

So who out there watches the Bachelorette? I'll be honest, in college we always watched it. We actually had a Bachelor party my sophomore year complete with tons of food, drinks, shirts for the girl we were hoping he'd choose, and a pan of jello shots that spelled out our favorite girl's name. (ok, maybe a tad bit creepy, but we had a lot of fun!! and probably had too many of the jello shots- butttt that's besides the point)

My reality tv loving mother (apple doesn't fall far from the tree) always watches the Bachelor/Bachelorette and got me hooked back on last season when Jake was the Bachelor. (sorry, def don't like Vienna, but whatever) I liked Ali at first on the last season, but then when she was leaving and was like crying and got really annoying - I got turned off. I remember having a conversation with my friend Iwona (check out her blog- she's an AWESOME photog) who's always up for watching the show and I said I wasn't going to watch this season 'cause I didn't like Ali. And that's the truth. I really didn't plan on watching this season... until one day at work.

At work I sit next to this guy named Alex. Nice guy, helps pass the time at work. Anyways, one day he mentions that he's going to have to watch the Bachelorette this season. WHATTT? (was my first reaction) REALLY? Come to find out that a guy who he grew up with is on the show. Alright- well that was it, obviously I was going to have to tune in to the show... at least until his friend was kicked off.

SOOOO in case you wondered how I came to watch the show, that's my story. And that brings us to this week.

Ohhh this week's episode. I won't lie, definitely my favorite episode of the season. I would have LOVED to have gone on their group date this week. I love the Lion King musical- definitely have seen it twice. But I'm sorry, Kasey is RIDICULOUS. Honestly?? Is this guy serious? During the show my sister and her friend were making fun of him and mocking his voice. After the show we filmed some videos (complete with props to make it look like 'Kasey' was on a picnic) and then posted them on YouTube and Facebook. I wish you could see how many hits your videos on facebook get- but the response on YouTube has been kind of funny. So Monday night we uploaded the 2 videos at a little after 11 at night. When I got up to go to work there were already almost 200 hits on the videos. By the end of the day the hits were up to almost 400... and now 2 days later... they're over 1000!

Now, like I said before I posted the videos straight on FB so my sister nor I had a link to my YouTube account on my FB page. Which means the people watching these videos are purely searching and finding the videos on the site. It's interesting because the tags that I put were Ali Fedotowsky; Kasey; Bachelorette; Season 6; ABC; Muppet Voice.

If you go onto YouTube and just search Kasey Bachelorette our video comes up 2nd!!

A little bit further down the page is our second video

At first my sister was pretty mad that I posted these online. She was kind of embarrassed, but after reading a comment that someone left saying that she was their new idol, she's definitely ok with it now.

So everyone go on and watch the videos!! We're trying to make my sister famous!! Or me... Which ever (I prefer me, but I'll help her out! haha)

DL IT:
After the Tony's this week I've been on a Broadway kick. The Aida and The Last Five Year soundtracks always put me in a happy mood. I couldn't decide which to post so I'm going to post my fav song from each

The Last Five Years: Sherie Rene Scott - I Can Do Better Than That
Aida: Heather Headley and Adam Pascal - Elaborate Lives

I'm sorry but I freaking loveeeee Sherie Rene Scott and Heather Headley. Ahhhhhh

DAY 1- 10 pounds to go!!

Day 1. Deloitte's 20 Ton Challenge. You and a teammate must lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks. Me and Lisa have signed up for the challenge.

So how do I plan to lose this 10 pounds? Welllllll The Daily Plate has been a website that'd I've used over the last two years off and on. When I've committed to using the site everyday it's really helped me lose weight. You put in your weight, your activity level and also what your goal is (ie. loose 1 pound a week, lose 2 pounds a week, maintain your weight, gain 1 pound a week, etc) and it gives you the calorie total you must eat each day. To achieve maximum results you need to eat this specific amount every day. If you exercise or do other physical activity you can log it and it will update your daily calories. So if it says you can eat 1400 calories a day and you run and burn 250 calories, then you can actually each 1650 calories.

Also, I'm planning on following my awesome friend Agnes' blog as well. This girl rocks and is totally dedicated to leading a healthy lifestyle. Check out her CRON blog!! CRON is Calorie Restriction Optimal Nutrition and I'll be taking that approach, but definitely not as hardcore as Ag. I'll be restricting my calories using the calculations given to me on the daily plate and trying to exercise as much as I can.


In other exciting news- I ran my first 5k!!!!! It was on the treadmill at the gym, but I'm sooooo happy!! A couple months ago I couldn't even run for like 5 minutes and now I can 3.1 straight miles!! Yay yay yay!!! (small victories ok!? haha)


If anyone else has any ideas for helping me and Lisa complete our goal and to help us lose weight- let me know!!!!


Check it outttttttttt- David Guetta and Kelly Rowland's Commander 
Heard this track on the newest Powermix podcast. I'm loving itttttttttttttttttttttttt!!! 

You posted that on facebook?!

So this weekend we had a release to the system we're implementing. For all of you in the IT world, you realize that releases to systems are a slow process and take awhile. This release didn't take nearly as much time as last one AND this time we had a dance party.

There's a lot of down time between phases and during those periods of downtime we set up speakers on a computer and had a dance party. My manager and I choreographed a dance to 2 Legit 2 Quit, we learned some Indian dances annnnnnnnnnddd to celebrate the end of a successful release we had an all out, everybody dancing party to my new favorite Indian song.

Once our 2 Legit 2 Quit dance was filmed I immediately uploaded it on Facebook... why you ask?? WHY NOT? I love how we have the means to share our lives with others out on line- and I'm sorry, but if you would have been there to see us dancing to these songs you would have been pee'ing your pants laughing.

So why post embarrassing videos of myself and others online? It's a simple answer- because we can and because I think it's HILARIOUS.

(If you're looking for other ridiculous videos check out my YouTube channel. There are some funny ones me, my bro and my sister made around Christmas time this year)

So obviously my song choice for this post is going to be my new favorite song: Bhool Bhulaiyaa- Hare Ram Hare Ram I'm loving it annnnnd Raj and I can definitely do the dance they do in the video. haha!!

Stalking my whole life....

I feel like I'm a pretty open person. I think you have to be if you're in to social media. You're pretty much airing all your thoughts and actions for everyone to see.

Think back years ago, before twitter and facebook, before AOL AIM, before cell phones... how did people know about what you were doing? Personal interaction really was the stepping stone for learning about others and finding out what they were up to. Now these sites and applications really take the personal interaction out of our daily life...

I'm a pretty social person. Put me in a room with people I don't know, it may take me a few minutes to warm up, but once I start talking I'll probably get to know everyone in the room. One thing I do hate though is seeing people that I used to see on a frequent basis and being forced to talk to them. Take for instance - high school. I'm really not sure why, but I hate running into people from high school. It's always so awkward and it's always the same convo - 'Hey! How are you doing? What are you up to?' (this is primarily the reason I haaaatteee going to Mario's on the Southsouth. I swear all of Bethel hangs out there) 1st off. Half the time you really could careless. If you cared, you'd probably still talk to them. 2nd off. Because of social media you probably know where they are, what they do, that they went to the Bahamas last year with their now ex-boyfriend and that they just got a new dog named Toby. I feel like these social sites really give us the avenue to know so much more than we would have 20 years ago. You're not going to get all that information from a 5 minutes run in convo.

Sometimes I think, I should go through my list of friends on facebook and de-friend everyone I haven't talked to in awhile... but then I'm quickly reminded that I enjoy looking through my news feed and getting updated on what others are doing. I love looking through vacation pictures or see what people are up to. I know I'm not alone either!

I think back to middle school when we used to make fake screen names and try to talk to people to get information that we wanted. Now a days you can just sign on and easily see what's going on with their life, who they're talking to, what they're doing. Using all the different social media sites you can really get a sense of pretty much every aspect of someones live!

Some people are really against posting pictures and information about themselves online. I love it. All the pictures that I took one night can be viewable to all my friends who were there and they can save them and have copies as well! I feel like my memories are more documented now and that I stay in closer contact with my friends.

My Uncle recently passed away and my Aunt and Uncle who live in Texas came up for the service. We haven't seen them in awhile and we all were excited to catch up. We walked in the funeral home and upon greeting them my Aunt said- 'Ohhh I know all about what you've been up to from facebook! You're always popping up on my news feed! Don't worry Margie [my mom], I'm keeping an eye on her!' To which I first replied 'That's creepy' but then thought, wow. Jul. Way to be a hypocrite. You do the same exact thing.

I'd like to take a look at all the different social media sites and the ways you can get information about people for each. I'll search online looking at the different sites and see what information from my own accounts is viewable under certain situations. See the different features that different sites offer. Pretty much just explore the world of social media!! (and throw in a few personal posts as well!)

I feel like my life is pretty out there on the internet... let's see what I can find out! Also, I'm interested in checking out new sites that I haven't joined yet and haven't explored! If you know of any sites that I don't know of leave me a comment! I'll be sure to check them out!!!!!

Play onnnnn...
BBC Radio 1 puts on a free musical festival every year and on their website you can listen to an hour of DJ Tiesto's set. It's awesome!! Definitely worth the listen  Tiesto BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend