Katie

Though I don't like to wax personal on public space, I admit: these last few weeks have been turbulent. A lot of terrible news, and a lot of great news. My life is pulling together in a big way, and it's awesome and terrifying at the same time.

Katie -- without you, I would have never sang, not have dared try out for Choir or Chambers or All-State. But you believed in me and encouraged me, and somehow they saw the same things you did. I am so grateful to you for making music a big part of my high school career. I'm sorry we lost touch over the years, but it happens right? I know we weren't even super-close in high school...but hey, like many I admired you from a distance. Not just because you were a talented singer, actress, dancer, performer extraordinaire. But you just had it TOGETHER. Everyone loved you. You were great at what you did, but you weren't an asshole about it, and what's more - you inspired people. And for being an actor, I never EVER heard people say you were stuck-up or bitchy or overdramatic. THAT, my friend, takes talent.

And then just looking at your pictures from Facebook, I could tell you lived your college years to their utmost potential. I'm so happy you did.

Well, I don't have too much to say - I didn't have countless inside jokes or childhood memories with ya, not any that I can recall right now. But just know that despite our distance, I still miss you and miss the idea of being able to run into you in Bethesda someday. And you've taught me so much about my own mortality and vulnerability.

So thank you for the memories. Rest in peace, kiddo.

*In my heart's sequestered chambers lie truths stripped of poet's gloss
words alone are vain and vacant, and my heart is mute.
In response to aging silence, memory summons half-heard voices
And my soul finds primal eloquence and wraps me in song, wraps me in song.

If you would comfort me, sing me a lullaby
If you would win my heart, sing me a love song
If you would mourn me and bring me to God, sing me a requiem,
sing me to heaven

Touch in me all love and passion, pain and pleasure
touch in me grief and comfort, love and passion, pain and pleasure...
love me, comfort me, bring me to God,
sing me a love song, sing me to heaven...*

Miss Teen USA 2007 - South Carolina

This is an unfortunate occurrence. "Everywhere like such as?"

Cake- Frank Sinatra

This is an honorable mention for my Life soundtrack. I can't believe I forgot to put Cake...they're so wonderfully original and ...West Coast. I think I tend to gravitate more toward New York musicians...but Cake has a different spirit. I wonder what happened to them...


Other worthy mentions:
No Doubt - Different People
Rolling Stones - Wild Horses
Ella Fitzgerald - I've got a
crush on you
Mozart - A Little Night Music
George Gershwin - They can't take that away from me
Foo Fighters - Times like these

My Life: The Soundtrack

This was an interesting and fun little exercise...what music matters most to me? What songs best describe certain landmark moments? This list took me forever because I had to cut so many songs and try really hard not to repeat artists, because as much as I wanted to include multiple songs from certain bands - Nada Surf, for example - I wanted to best represent the array of music that I listen to. I'd say compared to some people, the list of artists I listen to regularly is small. Some of these songs I haven't listened to in years, but they were a big part of my life at some point and were worth including. So here it is, my life as a soundtrack! Try it for yourself and see what you come up with!


My Life: The Soundtrack

Opening credits: The New Year – Death Cab for Cutie
Waking up: Little Plastic Castle – Ani Difranco
Average day: Hand in my Pocket – Alanis Morissette
First date: That Sunday, That Summer – Nat King Cole
Falling in love: Such Great Heights - Postal Service
Love scene: Let Go - Frou Frou
Fight scene: Paper Boats – Nada Surf
Breaking up: Ojala – Silvio Rodriguez
Getting back together: I Believe – Stevie Wonder
Secret love: Tan tranquila – Pauline en la Playa
Life's okay: Change Your Mind – The Killers
Mental breakdown: Window - Fiona Apple
Driving: Sideral - Macaco
Learning a lesson: Ghost of Corporate Future – Regina Spektor
Deep thought: Comptine d'un autre été - Yann Tiersen (from Amelie)
Flashback: Name – Goo Goo Dolls
Partying: Legalize it – Sean Paul
Happy dance: Mushaboom - Feist
Regretting: Wise Up – Aimee Mann
Long night alone: Gone to the Movies - Semisonic
Death scene: Lullaby – Billy Joel
Closing credits: New World - Bjork

RENT - La Vie Boheme

The opposite of war isn't peace; it's creation.

RENT - The Tango Maureen

I could post every song from this musical, really. I'm so sad I missed it when it was on the stage, but I have a feeling it will be revived someday. The original cast is phenomenal though, from what I hear on the soundtrack. And people who've seen the stage production probably hate on the movie, but I thought it was pretty good and true to the original, considering it had most of the original cast. Plus I love Rosario Dawson and Jesse L. Martin is damn sexy.

M.I.A. - World Town

More M.I.A. Get out of your chair and DANCE

M.I.A. - Paper Planes

I just came across this Sri Lankan/British rapper...she's nothing like I've ever heard. It's crazy that she's been censored by MTV because of her "politicized" lyrics...yet all the smut on MTV is approved. I don't understand the media.

This song samples "Straight to Hell" by The Clash...also a good song that I'd never heard before. I'm ashamed to call myself a Clash fan!