The weekend

DONE:
- The work-week
- Jacob's tux fitting
- Getting a marriage license
- Harry Potter #1

TO DO:
- Have a long, fun 4-day weekend involving: my husband-to-be, some of my best friends, a high school graduation, Utah, my parents and one sister, and Harry Potter #2

Album mania, or The Most Epic Blog Entry Ever

**I've changed the Adele album info. I also hereby mention Flogging Molly's "Swagger" honorably. (It's an "honorable mention," get it?)**

Ladies and gentlemen, what follows is the most epic blog entry of my life. One of the most time-consuming, and also one of the most fun. I learned that my childhood provided a foundation for my taste in music, but much of it solidified in my late high school/early college years. I re-learned that my taste in music is all over the map. And I had a blast compiling this blog entry.

I'm not really an "album-oriented" music enthusiast. I'm song-based. Inherently. I generally rate bands by the percentage of their SONGS I like, and only really pay attention to ALBUMS when they're just not the same as individual songs. Albums like "Dark Side of the Moon" or "Abbey Road." But dating Jacob Chapman has changed things a little. I've come to realize that there ARE albums that I always come back to.

And so, I've compiled a "Top Twenty" list here. The rules? First of all, it's actually a "Top Thirty-Five" list. I kept thinking of more that HAD to be on here. They are in no particular order, and greatest hits albums totally count. I had to exclude soundtracks for the sake of keeping it narrow. I should also note that these are not necessarily what I consider the BEST albums of all time, but so far, they are my FAVORITE. A difference that many casual critics tend to ignore. Although some of these albums do fall in both categories of "best" and "favorite," we're leaning completely on the favorite end of the spectrum...the albums I keep coming back to. I encourage each of you to check out these albums. (If you want a taste, often there are posts of the songs on youtube or freenapster.) Also, my placement of albums into "genres" are based on my current slightly limited instincts/understanding, and I exonerate myself from any wrongful categorization. You may also note that the Beatles are absent from this list. That's not because I don't love them. It's because I couldn't pick a favorite album.



















Album: Waiting for My Rocket to Come
Artist: Jason Mraz
Genre: Indie rock/lyrical
Who introduced me: Alexis Kragenbrink
When it was constantly playing: Freshman year at BYU-I
Favorite tracks: Sleep All Day
Least favorite tracks (if any): Tonight, Not Again
Favorite thing to listen to when: Laying in bed after a long day



















Album: Elephunk
Artist: The Black-Eyed Peas
Genre: Hip hop
Who introduced me: Sarah Jagger
When it was constantly playing: Summer of 2005, when we (Sarah/Annie/I) worked at Walmart
Favorite tracks: Let's Get Retarded, Smells Like Funk, Shut Up
Least favorite tracks (if any): Latin Girls
Favorite thing to listen to when: Driving around in the summer



















Album: Songs About Jane
Artist: Maroon 5
Genre: Rock/Funk
Who introduced me: don't remember, but likely Kevin Ellis
When it was constantly playing: Off and on since I got it about 5 years ago
Favorite tracks: Harder to Breathe, Secret, Not Coming Home
Least favorite tracks (if any): Sweetest Goodbye
Favorite thing to listen to when: Driving between West Yellowstone and Rexburg


















Album: Divine Discontent
Artist: Sixpence None The Richer
Genre: Emotional rock
Who introduced me: don't remember
When it was constantly playing: The year after I graduated high school
Favorite tracks: Eyes Wide Open, Tonight
Least favorite tracks (if any): Dizzy
Favorite thing to listen to when: driving between Medford and Applegate (when I lived w/Brette); when I'm having a hard day



















Album: Yield
Artist: Pearl Jam
Genre: Rock/grunge
Who introduced me: Jacob Chapman. Clearly.
When it was constantly playing: Winter semester 2010
Favorite tracks: Given to Fly, Do the Evolution, Faithful, All Those Yesterdays
Least favorite tracks (if any): Push Me, Pull Me
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking. Breathing.



















Album: Tragic Kingdom
Artist: No Doubt
Genre: Funk/Rock/Ska
Who introduced me: Ella Hoff, maybe?
When it was constantly playing: freshman year of college, and probably the year after that. So yeah, the first two years of college.
Favorite tracks: Tragic Kingdom, Excuse Me Mr, You Can Do It, Sixteen
Least favorite tracks (if any): Don't Speak
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking, cleaning.



















Album: Greatest Hits
Artist: Janis Joplin
Genre: classic rock/blues
Who introduced me: Walmart? Rolling Stone?
When it was constantly playing: Since I discovered it about two years ago
Favorite tracks: Ball and Chain, Try
Least favorite tracks (if any): Summertime
Favorite thing to listen to when: doing anything.


















Album: Time Capsule: Songs for a Future Generation
Artist: The B-52's
Genre: Classic rock/funk
Who introduced me: my mom
When it was constantly playing: When I was a kid, pre-teen
Favorite tracks: Rock Lobster, Private Idaho, Debbie
Least favorite tracks (if any): Planet Claire
Favorite thing to listen to when: Road-tripping, cleaning, dancing.



















Album: Comfort Eagle
Artist: Cake
Genre: Indie/rock/ska
Who introduced me: Ben Parkes? Alexis Kragenbrink?
When it was constantly playing: Summer of 2005
Favorite tracks: Comfort Eagle, Short Skirt/Long Jacket
Least favorite tracks (if any): World of Two
Favorite thing to listen to when: Road-tripping, driving, cleaning, walking.



















Album: Twentysomething
Artist: Jamie Cullum
Genre: Jazz
Who introduced me: Mallori Evans? Ben Parkes?
When it was constantly playing: Freshman year, and the summer afterwards
Favorite tracks: Wind Cries Mary, Next Year
Least favorite tracks (if any): none. I love them all.
Favorite thing to listen to when: Road-tripping, cleaning, dancing, driving, walking.

Album: The Ultimate Bobby Darin
Artist: Bobby Darin
Genre: Jazz/crooner
Who introduced me: the public library
When it was constantly playing: Winter semester 2008
Favorite tracks: Mack the Knife, Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey, Irresistable You, Lazy River
Least favorite tracks (if any): Things
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking between classes

(NOTE: This album is sort of a guilty pleasure. But I really listen to it a lot.)


















Album: Oh No
Artist: Ok Go
Genre: rock
Who introduced me: Alexis Kragenbrink
When it was constantly playing: When I first got it
Favorite tracks: Invincible, A Million Ways, Let It Rain
Least favorite tracks (if any): Oh Lately It's So Quiet
Favorite thing to listen to when: Road-tripping, cleaning, dancing, driving, walking.



















Album: History
Artist: Michael Jackson
Genre: Classic rock/classic funk
Who introduced me: my dad
When it was constantly playing: my senior year of high school/summer of 2007
Favorite tracks: SO MANY! Black or White, The Girl Is Mine (w/Paul McCartney), Remember the Time, Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', Earth Song
Least favorite tracks (if any): Heal the World
Favorite thing to listen to when: driving between West Yellowstone and Rexburg


















Album: The Aquabats Vs. The Floating Eye of Death
Artist: The Aquabats
Genre: Ska
Who introduced me: my sister Beckah
When it was constantly playing: around 3rd year of college...like 2005 - 2006?
Favorite tracks: Chemical Bomb, The Ballad of Mr. Bonkers, The Thing on the Bass Amp, Amino Man
Least favorite tracks (if any): Canis Lupus
Favorite thing to listen to when: Road-tripping, cleaning, dancing, driving, walking



















Album: 19
Artist: Adele
Genre: Chick lyrical
Who introduced me: Hmmm...I think I heard it playing on the radio?
When it was constantly playing: Fall 2008, when I was living in the Bay Area
Favorite tracks: Most of the album. Daydreamer and My Same, especially.
Least favorite tracks (if any): Tired
Favorite thing to listen to when: Biking, walking, surfing the net.



















Album: Made of Bricks
Artist: Kate Nash
Genre: Chick funk/pop
Who introduced me: Allison Park
When it was constantly playing: Winter semester 2008
Favorite tracks: Mariella, Merry Happy
Least favorite tracks (if any): Play
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking to class


















Album: Experience the Divine
Artist: Bette Midler
Genre: Broadway/Jazz/Pop
Who introduced me: Rachel Hutches
When it was constantly playing: during my life
Favorite tracks: One For My Baby, Shiver Me Timbers, Friends, Hello In There
Least favorite tracks (if any): Wind Beneath My Wings, From a Distance
Favorite thing to listen to when: in the mood to reminisce, dancing, cleaning, driving

(NOTE: This album was the very first CD I ever owned.)



















Album: 20
Artist: Harry Connick, Jr
Genre: Jazz
Who introduced me: my stepdad
When it was constantly playing: end of high school?
Favorite tracks: Imagination, If I Only Had a Brain, Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
Least favorite tracks (if any): Stars Fell on Alabama
Favorite thing to listen to when: laying in bed, driving



















Album: Life in Cartoon Motion
Artist: Mika
Genre: funk/pop, Indie
Who introduced me: Beckah
When it was constantly playing: summer of 2007
Favorite tracks: Grace Kelly, Billy Brown, Stuck in the Middle
Least favorite tracks (if any): Erase
Favorite thing to listen to when: needing background music


















Album: Room on Fire
Artist: The Strokes
Genre: Rock
Who introduced me: Beckah
When it was constantly playing: First semester of college
Favorite tracks: Reptilia, I Can't Win
Least favorite tracks (if any): Under Control
Favorite thing to listen to when: walking to class, driving


















Album: Poses
Artist: Rufus Wainwright
Genre: Jazz/Pop
Who introduced me: Alexis Kragenbrink
When it was constantly playing: freshman year of college
Favorite tracks: Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk, Rebel Prince
Least favorite tracks (if any): One Man Guy
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking, cleaning, roadtripping.



















Album: Extraordinary Machine
Artist: Fiona Apple
Genre: Chick Piano Pop/Indie
Who introduced me: myself
When it was constantly playing: a few months ago, actually
Favorite tracks: Extraordinary Machine, Window, Please Please Please
Least favorite tracks (if any): Oh Well (?)
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking, cleaning, road-tripping.



















Album: Greatest Hits
Artist: Billy Joel
Genre: Rock
Who introduced me: my mom (used to listen to this one on vinyl as a kid)
When it was constantly playing: my childhood, and on the drive to see Billy in concert with Annie and the Thorsons in 2007 =)
Favorite tracks: Big Shot, Pressure, Uptown Girl, The Stranger
Least favorite tracks (if any): none
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking, cleaning, road-tripping, driving.



















Album: Wreck of the Day
Artist: Anna Nalick
Genre: Emotional chick pop
Who introduced me: Sarah Jagger
When it was constantly playing: summer after my freshman year of college
Favorite tracks: Catalyst, Wreck of the Day, In the Rough, Consider This
Least favorite tracks (if any): Forever Love
Favorite thing to listen to when: having an emotional breakdown, or feeling emotional in general



















Album: Two Against Nature
Artist: Steely Dan
Genre: Jazz/Funk
Who introduced me: Mom
When it was constantly playing: a couple years ago?
Favorite tracks: Janie Runaway, Gaslighting Abbie
Least favorite tracks (if any): Negative Girl
Favorite thing to listen to when: you need background music, cleaning, or walking to class.













Album: So It Seems
Artist: Inside Out
Genre: Studio-enhanced a cappella
Who introduced me: Jared Doshier
When it was constantly playing: summer after I graduated high school
Favorite tracks: I'll Fly, Forever Young
Least favorite tracks (if any): When I Fall in Love (I hate this song in general)
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking, cleaning, roadtripping.



















Album: Franz Ferdinand
Artist: Franz Ferdinand
Genre: Rock
Who introduced me: Sarah Jagger
When it was constantly playing: for about two years, starting with the summer after my freshman year of college
Favorite tracks: Take Me Out, This Fire, 40'
Least favorite tracks (if any): Come on Home (?)
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking, cleaning, road-tripping, dancing, driving, biking.



















Album: Room for Squares
Artist: John Mayer
Genre: Pop
Who introduced me: myself
When it was constantly playing: from about my senior year of high school onwards
Favorite tracks: Neon, 83, Why Georgia
Least favorite tracks (if any): Great Indoors
Favorite thing to listen to when: Driving


















Album: Let It Die
Artist: Feist
Genre: Indie
Who introduced me: JD Taylor
When it was constantly playing: summer of 2006
Favorite tracks: Mushaboom, When I Was a Young Girl, Secret Heart
Least favorite tracks (if any): Leisure Suite
Favorite thing to listen to when: Laying in bed, walking, driving



















Album: Begin to Hope
Artist: Regina Spektor
Genre: Chick Piano Rock/Indie
Who introduced me: Curtis McOsker
When it was constantly playing: summer of 2007
Favorite tracks: That Time, Samson, Hotel Song
Least favorite tracks (if any): 20 Years of Snow
Favorite thing to listen to when: Driving

From Hermana Baxter!

(Click on the images below to enlarge and read.)

The man

This is who I'm marrying:



Isn't he hot? This photo is the kind of thing our kids are gonna find years and years from now and be astounded at. It's from our engagement photo shoot. The rest of the pictures are equally awesome--check 'em out! Click on "Photos" on our wedding website. (I also plan on adding them on facebook later...)

Only 8 more weeks until the wedding!

More to come...

A sneak peek at the brilliant work of Tiana Godfrey, who I've decided is a manifestation of some photography goddess:









I couldn't be more thrilled! I can't wait to see more. Seriously, people. You need photos? Get a hold of this girl. Very affordable, and you'll be helping a talented lady pay for art school.

The grass is always greener

Even though:

• I have mono and it would probably kill me,
• it conflicts with our wedding (which takes precedence),
• it will still be snowy and freezing in Montana for another 2 months,
• and I need a lot of work as a performer,

I still long to be on my way to this stage:



Perhaps one summer I'll have the privilege to return, this time as Liz Chapman. I wish:

• it was summer of 2011,
• that Jacob and I were already married,
• married housing was available for Playmill cast members,
• and that we were on the bill

To the cast of 2010, have a BLAST up there, and when you get tired/grumpy/lonely/bored/cold, remember that:

• you are doing what you love,
• you are surrounded by some of the most beautiful places on God's green earth,
• there are so many people who would love to be where you are,
• and you have a steady (even if temporary) job during a recession

We can't wait to come up and see you!

A Pingel Shout-out!

"To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act." --Anatole France

GLEE is a guilty pleasure. I mean, I'm not a faithful viewer, but when I do see it, I adore it. Know what would make me a faithful viewer, though? If friend/fellow BYU-I student/Playmill alum Adam Pingel got on the show. He would be AWESOME...the camera loves him, he's got a great voice, he's a great performer, and he could hold his own in the halls of McKinley high school. I mean, look:


Glee song

Glee | MySpace Video


Glee monologue

Glee | MySpace Video

Wouldn't you watch Glee if this guy was on there? If you've got a myspace account, you can vote for him here. Do it!

I'm going to take a moment and speak for both Jacob and I. I might be breaking some cardinal rule of blogging--speaking for both of us even though we're not married yet and this isn't "our" blog, it's "my" blog. But I'm gonna do it anyway. And on behalf of Jacob and myself, I would like to say that

WE MISS THE PINGELS!

Through Macbeth and classes and various other endeavors, we've had a chance to get to know Adam and Darcy and Baby Jack a little better. They are such examples to us, and even if they don't know it, we've learned a lot from them. Adam is such a great performer, and a great friend to talk to. Darcy is so much fun, and such an influence for good in the lives of those around her. They are two of the kindest people we've ever met. And of course Jack is adorable. Their dreams have moved them elsewhere for this summer, and they are sorely missed. We hope that their summer is wonderful, and that all of their dreams come true! We can't wait for our paths to cross again!

Dear Powers that be, a prayer...

A NOTE: I don't intend for this post to be sacrilegious and consequently apologize if it offends anyone. It just seemed the best format for this particular entry.


Please bless that:

• Jacob and I can get that apartment on Main Street. The one that's within walking distance from campus. For $450 a month, available in June! We understand it means we'd have to pay an extra month's rent, but at that price and with no utilities to pay, it won't break the bank, and we can move our stuff in gradually instead of all at once in a back-breaking and exhausting endeavor. And it's big and old and about to be renovated, and next to a huge awesome ballroom. AND it's only $100 for the deposit! Even better!

• The rain stops earlier than predicted. Or completely. For a few weeks, at least. Especially on May 8th. When we're getting our engagement photos taken. Outside.

• I can find/decide on a good outfit or two for our engagement photos in two weeks. Panache/Jenny Farley's closet, here I come?

• My face stops breaking out.

• I get over mono and its attending exhaustion.

Thank you for:

• A wonderful best friend/boyfriend/future husband.

• Trader Joe's Parmesan/Garlic/Herb pita chips.

• Kara's amazing wedding dress altering skills. My dress isn't even finished, and already it's so beautiful I wanted to cry when I saw it. They are dear friends that we will miss dearly! If you're in the Boise area, look them up!

• Annie's sense of humor.

• The exemplary and extraordinary life of Mahatma Gandhi.

Yesterday's To-Do List

ADDENDUM:
Item 1A on to do list = DON'T ELOPE.

1. Spend $22 on Season Three of Gilmore Girls on DVD. Check.

2. Make two and a half dozen cupcakes. Check.

3. Spend an hour making sidewalk chalk art with a one-year-old and a two-and-a-half-year-old, which resulted in both of them being COVERED with chalk. Check.

4. Start a range-top fire by accidentally throwing an oven mitt onto a burner placed on high because our house isn't baby-proofed and both of these babies can walk and have opposable thumbs. Check.

5. Put out said fire with a towel and baking powder, then open all the doors and windows and arrange the fan so that people can breathe in our house again. Check.

6. Wash dishes and clean up fire remains. Check.

7. Bring future husband cupcakes and a note at work, getting soaked by the sudden rainy downpour during the walk. Check.

8. Watch "Remains of the Day" with future husband, future in-laws, and current roommate. Check.

9. Watch more "Gilmore Girls" online because I'm too impatient to wait for the DVD's to come in the mail. Check.

10. Be madly in love and impatient to get married to the love of my life. Double-check.

So we meet again, quotation marks...

Inspired by a recent entry from good friend Jillian, in which she shares brilliant quotes she's heard of late, here is short little excerpt from my own quote-book! I haven't been keeping terribly good track of quotes lately, but there are a few gems that warrant sharing. Here they are.

To the dog: "I am definitely not your father. You're a dog. And I'm a virgin." --Jacob

Liz: Mmm, smells like creativity.
Gary: No, just alcohol.
Liz: Same thing, isn't it?

"Whoa. That was so intense. And he was just eating a wheat thin." --Ryan Cobabe

Annie: Why did you write "school" on the board?
Aubrey: Uhm...I think it's an id manifestation.
Annie: "School"?
Aubrey: I don't know! I like "s" words!

"Their house is so...normal. I was expecting time machines and statues of C.S. Lewis, but it just...smells like cats." --Jacob

"What?! It's not a hackey sack! It's a muffin!" --Thomas Brower

"You know there's a full moon on February 14th? I hope some people's dates turn into werewolves." --Beckah

"You're so morbid! Brownies don't die in microwaves! GREMLINS die in microwaves!" --Aubrey

"I have an idea. And it involves levitation. But the good guys win." --Jacob, in his sleep, when I tried to wake him up from his nap on the couch

Time Machine

Can it please be July 10th now?

I'm tired of planning, and want everything to be done so Jacob and I can get married.

It's not that I've stopped CARING about the wedding details...I don't really want to hand the entire affair over to someone else, because I still want things a certain way (which is my prerogative as a bride). I just wish all of the details would take care of themselves. Even when I delegate, it just changes "E-mail Tiana about engagement photo shoot" on my to-do list to "Tell _____ to e-mail Tiana about engagement photo shoot."

Hooray DIY weddings. (Anything else costs like ten grand and I'd rather have food/clothing/shelter after we're married.)

It'll be worth it. I know it. And I'm still having fun. It's just that residual effects of mono + no school after 16 months straight undergrad work + beautiful weather = all I want to do is read and go on picnics. Not e-mail Tiana about engagement photo shoots.

**NOTE: Jacob is awesome. He's so obliging and helpful in all of these things, and the main reason I want to speed up time is not to skip wedding planning, but to share a house with HIM.