Tuesday, March 20, 2007

My Current Favorite Music List

Current mood: musically inspired
So, it has been about a year since I made my Music List, so it is time for a new one. Here goes nothing (in no particular order):

1. Desire: Ryan Adams- I love me some Ryan Adams! This song is just fantastic. I love the harmonica and the acoustic guitar. One of my favorite sounds in the whole word is the sole acoustic guitar. The lyrics are beautifully written and poignant. The song is relatively sad, but I love it.

2. 83: John Mayer- It is hard to put just one John Mayer song on here, but this is currently my favorite. I love the lines "I wish I was six again/ oh make me a red cape/ I wanna be superman." Love it. I alos like it because John Mayer is one of the best songwriters that we have today, and the way he writes his lyrics makes me jealous. This song gets me going and thinking about my childhood with my brother. Great times.

3. Baba O'Riley: The Who- Just for the first 57 seconds of the song. Musical happiness through and through. The electric guitar going crazy, the driving piano that sets the tone, and then the cadence of drums that ends the euphoric feeling. Also, it is not Called "Teenage Wasteland." Just so you all know.

4. #41: Dave Matthews Band- The faint trumpet at the beginning of the song begins to become a part of the song, mixing in with the guitar and drums, creating a jazz-like sound. Throughout the song, you can hear it, but when it begins to sound like the piano, that is Fantastic. Worthy of a capital "F". The song title is simply called "#41" because it was the 41st song that he wrote. Pretty cool. Dave Matthews and his Birkenstocks are my hero from long ago.

5. Life is Beautiful: Vega4- I love this song, and I love this band. Wonderful. It was by accident that I came across them, and I am glad I did. The driving melody, the crisp vocals, and the rhythm of the song is brilliant. The way the verse and chorus changes is awesome. It is almost like two songs in one. Very unique and I play it over and over.

6. See the World: Gomez- This is another one of those "accidental" finds, and I'm glad I did.
This British band will be huge one day, take my word for it. Or not. Do what you want.

7. Earth to Bella (Part 1): Incubus- I love just the guitar and vocals at the beginning. Brandon Boyd's voice is flawless and makes me love him even more. Then, abruptly, the song changes to this cool electric riff, and then back to the simplicity of the guitar and the powerful and flawed voice. Boyd is at the top of his game! Love it. Part 2 is great as well.

8. Mud on the Tires: Brad Paisley- Because it was my brother's favorite song and I love him. Miss you little bro! I play this very loud and sing along at the top of my lungs, hoping that nobody is watching.

9. Catch My Disease: Ben Lee- "That's the way I like it..." The theme of the song. Makes me happy. "Baby pleeaaasse/ open your heart and catch my disease." Genius. Wonderful musician and an even better entertainer.

10. Harlem: Duke Ellington- This 15 minute song is just full of the magic that is awesome jazz music. The Duke is just brilliant. It is like a movie playing through the music. No words, but just these fabulous jazz musicians at the top of their games.

11. Ordinary People: John Legend- The piano is a weakness of mine, and John Legend has got loads of talent. Love this guy. He was overexposed by the media, so I tried to avoid him, because I thought that he was overrated; boy was I wrong! He is fantastic, and has this slight Sinatra charm to him. His musical brilliance is evident in his playing, singing, lyrics, and the way the ladies swoon over him. Plus, we are just ordinary people, and this song really sets that tone.

12. Three Flights Up: Yellowcard- While on the subject of pianos, this instrumental piece by Yellowcard is quite possibly my favorite. A talented bunch of boys there! I was surprised by this piece, because even though I love their heavier electric stuff, this piece blew me away. I only wish it was longer than 1:27. I also play this one over and over. The CD hates me.

13. Believe: Brooks and Dunn- This one was on my last list, and one of my all time favorite songs. Ronnie Dunn's voice has never been sweeter, and then toward the end when the Gospel choir shows up blows me away. THis song gives me hope "I raise my hands/ bow my head/ I'm finding more and more truth/ with the words written in red/ they tell me that there's more to life than just what I can see/ oh, i believe." The soul-infused song gets me through rough times and restores my faith. Word.

14. The Blower's Daughter: Damien Rice- I am a huge Rice fan. He cannot disapoint me. This is my current favorite, but it is hard to choose just one of his songs. This shy Irishman is a brilliant songwriter, and he excels at both the guitar and piano. The slight accent that creaps into his voice while he is singing is awesome. Really.

15. More than a Feeling: Boston- Because it feels good to listen to. Also, I like to play the air guitar while listening to it and look like the giant dork that I am. This is my favorite song to play on the fabulous game "Guitar Hero." Represent!

16. Bohemian Rhapsody: Queen- One of my life goals is to learn how to play this song on the piano. I just love it! "Momma, just killed a man..." I love the lyrics and the randomness of it all. Truly a feel good song, yet also sad. This is a great song to sing in Karaoke because there are so many elements in the song. You have the somber, slow tone, the uptempo eclectic music, and the metal thrashing parts that deserves for you to shake your head to. Wonderful! Freddy Mercury!

17. For the Moments I Feel Faint: Relient K- Never underestimate my Jesus. Enough said. Again, this song is basically just one acoustic guitar and Matt Theissen's voice. One of their best songs. Plus, I love their earlier work. I like their new stuff. Big difference. They may have sold out, but they are splendid.

18. Public Pervert: Interpol- Hate the name of the song, but love the song. This song just gets started and does not stop. I do not even know the lyrics, but the uniqueness of the music is pretty inspiring. I like to write to this kind of music. Interpol is one of my favorite bands, and they, too, do not disappoint.

19. Phantom Limbs: The Shins- Please, go out and buy their newest album. It is wonderful. Not the best song on there, but one of my favorites. They might not be your type of music, but I love them. It's cool and trendy to like The Shins, but I have never been either, so I am not trying to fit in with the American trends. I could care less. They are just a fabulous group of four guys with incredible natural talent.

20. The Kill- 30 Seconds To Mars- Jared Leto is one of those rare actors who is an absolutely wonderful singer/songwrite/musician. His band is a favorite of mine, and this song rocks. I like his music more than his films. Plus, he is pretty to look at.

It's a little long, and there may be a part 2 coming soon! Music is a big part of my life, and I love finding new music. My Ipod has over 1,100 songs on it. Sweet! So, thought that I would share a little bit of my hobby with you all. Good day (night) to you!

That is all, for now. Hope you all enjoyed. Share your list with me!!
Currently watching : The Holiday Release date: By 13 March, 2007 (By the way, FANTASTIC movie! I love it. I give it 5/5 "Chap Slashes (something I started at the school paper!))

Saturday, March 03, 2007

say cheese!!

My TWIRP date Bree!! I love her. We went to Coke and Nacho together. We also like to throw the "Chap." Represent. Plus, Johnny Depp is on my shirt. He is oh so pretty.


The current wallpaper on my computer. Such a great show. Everybody should watch it.


One of my favorite pictures of me and Jacob. Love it.

Hello! Black and white pictures are great, especially when Trey does them. He rocks.

Peek-a-boo! I do not have my nerdy glasses on so I can't see you!! Oh no! Haha. Look at my long hair!! Wow. Now, it is very short. But I like it.

In Oklahoma for LST. Our room was freezing, so the next morning Adam went to Wal-Mart and bought this cheap, "cardboard" blanket covered with ducks. It was hideous and did not keep anybody warm.


My favorite TV show! Haha I just wanted to share this cool pic. Dr. House is so cool!

TWIRP week at LCU!! Great fun that night! Also, Johnny Depp was in attendence and he had a grand time.

Me and my beautiful sister, Hannah. Do not look at me, please. You can't help but go straight to her eyes. Plus, self pictures are the best.
So, that was it. I did not feel like writing. Sorry. Hope you all enjoy. More updates coming soon.
Currently reading: Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
Currently listening to: Beautiful Life by 30 Seconds to Mars
Currently watching: Stranger Than Fiction with Will Ferrell and Emma Thompson. Great movie.
Current mood: Jovial

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Self-esteem and Humility

Can these two go together? I mean, really? Can they? I've been thinking about this lately. I have all the self-esteem in the world, but yet I am not content. I worry that I will come off too prideful; too arrogant. I worry that people will become jealous of me. I'm not sure why. God created me, Jordan Danai Williams, and there is only one me.
Anything that I do is never good enough. When I write essays and research papers for school I put them off until the last possible minute so that I will not stress over them and butcher them because they are not good enough. Most likely, I will delete all the content and begin fresh, thus making the papers late. I have a self-deprecating aura about me, and I fear that I will become an egomanical twit if I commend myself. I mean, what have I done worry of an accomodation? Just wondering.
Right now, life is wonderful. Could not be happier. My faith is the strongest it has ever been. My life is perfectly in balance for the first time on months. I am getting good grades without even trying. I am poor in the wallet, but rich in spirit, and I don't care. I eat disgusting cafeteria food daily, and I smile. Family is great. I have wonderful loving friends. It is times like these that I get scared. I get scared that people get jealous of me. I get scared that they sneer down before me and try to pull me off of my high horse. I feel their wrath upon me. Daily. They are jealous that I get good grades without trying. They are jealous with my relationship with Christ. They are jealous of my so-called perfect life. News flash, my life is far from perfect, and I like it that way. All of my struggles have made me that much stronger, and for that I have Him to be thankful for.
I get embarrased when my mom brags about me. It is times like those that I want to hide my face and run into a hole. All of my accolades and awards ar pretty much just a piece of paper to me. Maybe fifteen years from now I can look back at that award with pride and respect, but not now. Now, all I see is teamwork. I owe everything in my life to God. Never have I been alone in anything. Ever. The awards I received in high school were done by him, and not me. He deserves them and not me. It is very late, so I'm not sure if I am making any sense.
I hate talking about myself. I hate my hair. I hate my writing. I hate reading my writing. I hate hearing my own voice. I hate seeing my work displayed for all to see. I hate that I have a burning passion to buy a movie the day it comes out. I hate being told what to do. I hate being told what to read. I hate the word hate. I never use unless I am talking about myself. Why is that? I find this odd.
In a normal conversation, I prefer the other person do the talking. People fascinate me. I can sit and listen to people talk for hours. I want to know everything, but I am too afraid to ask questions. When it is my turn to speak however, I turn the conversation off of me. Hmm....not sure why.
I think that is why I am not 100% sure of what I want to do with my life when I graduate. I want to have a normal "behind the scenes" job. But what is normal? How do I define normal? Normal to me is a job with no glitz or glam. No glory. Is mediocre a good term? I did not want to be a doctor because I was afraid I would feel to pompous. I did not want to be an investigative journalist because I do not want the glory of uncovering a huge story. Things like that. I look now and I find it absurd. Not sure why. I would be perfectly content with spending my life in a stuffy room doing book editing for a mid-sized southern publishing company. If I ever do complete my book, I would be hard pressed to write it under a pen name. I have been asked to be the editor next year for the school paper, but even though it would be an honor, I do not feel interested. I feel that Bree is better qualified and would make an awesome editor, so I will not throw my hat into the ring. Things like this. I am absolutely content with things like this. Call me a push over, I don't care. "Sticks and stones, love." HA!! I finally got to throw in a Pirates of the Caribbean quote. Score! I am deathly afraid that my true nerdiness will avail itself and I will be thrown into a deep, dark, dank, well.
So, I said all that to say this: I think that living with humility is a good thing. A great thing. However, too much of it can ruin a person. Am I too self-deprecating? Do I sound depressed? Well, I am not. I LOVE my life!!!! Who-hoo. Could not be happier. Things are great. Plus, I am super giddy because spring break is slowly dwelling upon us. Dwelling sounds like a sad, scary word. I should use another adjective. How about looming? No....um...maybe slammin'? Ok, I will get back to you on that one. It is now a little after 3:00 a.m. and I have just yawned. I now have 5.9 minutes before I am crashed out for good. The computer chair is not comfortable to sleep in. Well, that is about all. My room has a faint mesquite/smoky smell to it. I sprayed some body spray a while ago to mask the smell, but it did not help. I am too lazy to investigate. I don't really care actually. The bed is looking mighting tempting and I only have 3.4 minutes left.
So I will end.
Currently listening : Artist's Choice: Ray Charles By Ray Charles Release date: By 01 January, 2003