The Seventeenth of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song that makes me want to dance.

I think it's no secret that I hated almost ALL of the music that ever played at any of our dances. And for some reason, I find this song to be just so danceable to, so whenever I'm standing and hear it, I dance. Every. Time.

The Sixteenth of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song that has made me cry.

This song never fails to make my eyes water, even shed a tear. I do mean this literally. Whenever I hear the first few chords of "Bookends" I get choked up. It's a song about appreciating who you're with, the memories that you have, and the nostalgia that we all know.

Okay, so, technically I'm cheating since this is two songs, but one leads smoothly into the other, and might as well be a medley.

The Fifteenth of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song that I love singing along to.

This assignment is so unfair. I sing along to EVERY song I listen to. If I fall in love with the sound, I'll start singing the chorus, even if I fail after listening to it only once. If you see me driving, chances are that I'm singing to a song. So, this is a difficult choice, but, in a way, it's also not very difficult. I heard this song a few years ago and fell in love with it immediately. It's so damned upbeat and awesome, and the lyrics are brilliant and just... it's fantastic.

The Fourteenth of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song that reminds me of my girlfriend.

Well, um, do to my singleness, I'm going to post a song for my hypothetical girlfriend. I posted this back in August, saying it was the most romantic song I've ever heard. I still say it is. It really embodies how I feel about love when you find that special someone, with the quirkiness of a Dracula puppet, much like the quirkiness of my dream girl.

The Thirteenth of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song that reminds me of a former friend.

Ashley will flip out when she sees this.

Okay, so, in elementary school my best friend was Michel Avey. He was French-Canadian and totally loved ketchup. I remember seeing him eat it with a spoon once. He was a cool kid, really funny and whatnot. But he was also nice and smart, so he was a really great friend. He loved acting, and was Wilbur in our production of "Charlotte's Web." What always sticks out in my mind, however, was his desire to play Annie in "Annie." I remember him telling us about how our music teacher said that she had seen a dude play Annie before, whipping off his wig at the end of the show. He was my friend, so I was supportive, of course. In the end, though, he didn't play Annie. He played FDR, who randomly shows up at the end of the musical for some reason.

I haven't spoken to him since we graduated from elementary school. We're Facebook friends, but I've heard people from Verot mention him, calling him Meesh. Sometimes I think about what life would have been like if we stayed friends, but not often. I love the friends I have now, and if being friends with him all through life meant I wouldn't know these people, I'd hate that life.

The Twelfth of 25 Songs in 25 Days

The last song I heard.

I just watched Get Him to the Greek again and this is the song that plays at the end, making it the last song I heard. It's... surprisingly catchy.

The Eleventh of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song from the soundtrack of my favorite movie.

If adventure has a name, it must be Indiana Jones. Growing up, Jurassic Park was my absolute favorite movie of all time. But, I'd never pretend to be a character from that movie. There's a picture of me on the walls of photographs in my house of me with a toy revolver, a cigar, and a floppy adventure hat. Not sure about the cigar, but when I was a kid, I'd pretend to be Indiana Jones. As I got older, my adoration for JP faded, but my passion for Indiana Jones lived on. To this day, Raiders of the Lost Ark is my absolute favorite movie of all time. It is, in my humble opinion, the perfect movie.

The Tenth of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song from my favorite band.

Again, this seems pretty obvious, but let me go ahead and tell you about myself and The Beatles.

Believe it or not, there was a time I didn't like The Beatles. Yes, it's true. I used to think (and this was in my younger years) that The Beatles was a band that only girls listened to, because they sang about love, and most Beatles fans I knew were women. However, one day at Verot, on VNN came this song that had this incredibly catchy "nanananana." I didn't write down the title, but I ended up going on a mad search on Limewire for it. In doing so, I ended up downloading DOZENS of Beatles songs, and all of them were just brilliant. Eventually, after almost giving up my search, I found Hey Jude. Not only did I have this terrific sense of accomplishment, I had this connection with the lyrics. They were so appropriate to me, and the harmonies, the sounds, everything just synced together.

That's when I fell in love with The Beatles, and I haven't looked back.

The Ninth of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song that makes me hopeful.

Would there be any other? Do I even have to explain why I picked this? Come on, you should know.

The Eighth of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song that reminds me of my “first love”

Okay, so the title sounds pretty negative, but let me explain. We were great friends in the sixth grade, and there was definitely an attraction between us. So, we decided to start dating. We had some great times, and really enjoyed being with each other. But, after a year of being together, we broke up. It just... faded away. I think we were too young to really understand, but it was still a wonderful time.

The Seventh of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song that reminds me of the past summer

Honestly, I have no real reason for this song. Except that I think of (500) Days of Summer when I listen to it, which I watched on HBO one day after coming back from the beach. It wasn't the first time I had seen it, but it was still great to come home to.

Hm, that actually is a real reason, isn't it?

The Sixth of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song that reminds me of my best friend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr_MJAOyOeU
We were on one of our many adventures to Barnes and Noble last summer. Walking into the DVD and music area, we looked at some of the DVDs with the silliest title or ones that we actually wanted to see. We crossed over into the CDs and began looking for songs hipsters would love. I ended up picking most of them, of course. Then, she found this artist. She regaled me with stories about the silly animal hats hipsters would wear that could be found in this video, and the potentially nightmarish end that caused us to laugh loudly. This song is odd, but wonderful. Like her.


I wanted to embed the video, but it wouldn't let me >:-|

The Fifth of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song that is often stuck in my head.

I had this stuck in my head for at least a week, whereas my average earworm is about three days, so I'd say this counts. As I am fond of telling, I listened to this the entire time I wrote a paper for about four hours. It must have been at least 100 times I clicked that replay button. The truth is, I don't care for her music, but I admire Lady Gaga for her willingness to go totally against the grain of what a pop musician should be like.

Ashley asked for an in-depth blog about this, so let me tell you about the haircut I got today. The incessant curling cowlicks are temporarily at bay, the weird waves now laid flat, and the parting has gone to the other side. The floor was littered with the casualties of thousands of red hairs, each one cut in their prime. Now, though, I have my usual cut: short and clean, with just enough length to still be manageable.

I hope you're satisfied, Ashley!

Informative Instructions From Tycho About Picking On That Kid

"I do, however, have advice for those who feel compelled for whatever reason to pick on That Kid. I needn't name them here. The trouble with picking on That Kid is that eventually every cruelty, every glancing impact, and every foot-pound of stored kinetic force will erupt - black liquor at cask strength. You will cease to be the tormentor of the moment and will instead become the red and leaping Devil, a vessel for human evil as a generality, an amalgamation. That is to say, not human. You will become an object. An icon.
This is an outcome you want to avoid."

--http://www.penny-arcade.com/2011/3/18/

The Fourth of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song that calms me down

Out of all the classical music I've ever listened to, this is the one that calms me the most. In fact, out of all music I've listened to, this is the one that calms me. It's a beautiful piece of music.

The Third of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song that reminds you of one or both of your parents

It was Mother's Day and I had nothing to give my mom. I didn't have money of my own to buy anything, and I had no idea what to give her. Despite having never seen "Tarzan" (I went through a phase where I didn't watch Disney, okay?!) I knew of this song. So, I made a mixed CD for her with several songs on it, with this one at the end. When I asked what she thought of it, she told me she cried during this song. My mom's awesome.

The Second of 25 Songs in 25 Days

A song that reminds you of your most recent ex.

Though our romance was brief, this was absolutely our song. It fits us absolutely perfectly, and whenever I drove her back to her home from Verot, this song almost always played. I miss her a lot. I never have as much fun as when I'm with her. I hope I see her soon.

The First of 25 Songs In 25 Days

Day One: A song from my childhood.

This was the first song on my first iPod. It is ridiculously catchy, and ridiculously 90's. I have no particular memory associated with this song from my childhood, but I remember it as part of that time.

"I've Got the Plains"

"August: Osage County" was one of the best plays I've ever seen. Granted, that's a very small pool, but it was absolutely phenomenal. The acting, the set, the lighting, all of it was amazing. The plot, though. That really got me.

I think, unfortunately, we can pick out one character from that play that fits somebody in our families. I've known the plot and the characters there all too well, but seeing it on stage was so... liberating. Haunting, to see something so close to reality, but so liberating. It's like my past was put on the altar of the stage and sacrificed so that I could be a little bit more free.

I'm going to see it again. I've got to.

Doobly Doo

So excited to go see the play tonight. I miss hanging out with these people, so what better way to get together than at the theatre?

I've Got Nothing

Because my brain is still in recovery from having to write so much, I honestly can't think of anything deep or meaningful to write about. So, for the lulz, I'll just leave these clips of Liz Lemon from 30 Rock trying to get out of jury duty.

Even Though the Movie is Terrifying

The music evokes the greatest sense of emotion in me. Partly because whenever I go to Universal Studios this is playing right as you enter, but this is the most splendid, adventurous piece of music my ears have ever heard.

Adventure is Out There

Yeah, the title comes from "Up," but it works here. This movie is called "Super 8." It's JJ Abrams' salute to Spielberg films of the 70s and 80s. Movies like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and (the dreaded) "ET."

One of my earliest memories of childhood was watching "Jurassic Park" and just being overwhelmingly entranced by it. Not just the dinosaurs, but the story, the characters, the atmosphere. Everything about it was just beautiful. "Jaws" came next, "Indiana Jones," "Star Wars" all of these great movies that have SOMETHING to do with Spielberg (even if he was just George Lucas's BFF for the "Star Wars" part). All I wanted during that time was to be a director, or an actor, or a writer, just SOMETHING that would make me the next Steven Spielberg. I wanted to make movies, be a part of Hollywood. When kids are little, most want to be fire men, or police officers, or something. I wanted to stay home and make little movies with my toys.

There's something so special about Spielberg. In the past we had the brothers Grimm for our fairy tales. The modern fairy tale is told by him. For my imagination, I have the greatest thanks to give to him. It's because of him that I act silly sometimes, or get my sense of humor. It was that atmosphere, that whimsy that he filled his movies with that has made the greatest impact on me. Without Steven Spielberg, I wouldn't be who I am today.

I'M FINISHED!

IT'S OVER! THE LONGEST PAPER I'VE EVER HAD TO WRITE IS OVER!!!!!!

Look for a proper post later in the day.

Almost There

Page 14. One page to go!

We Have to Go Deeper #TWSS

I am so close to being done with this damned paper. So close.

Told You

Trying to get my essay allotment finished tonight, so I'll just leave this here. Also, I got a free upgrade to an iPhone 4. My attempts to find a proper Cybermen "Upgrade" meme failed epically.

But the Fighter Still Remains

As I write this I'm on page two of my term paper. I hate writing papers, as everyone else does. This paper, however, is the longest I've ever had to write. It is a long, difficult slog through facts and half-truths, but I shall win out in the end.

Thanks to Sirius XM, I'm on a Simon and Garfunkel kick. I've always loved them, but I think now my adoration for them as one of my favorite bands is really starting to blossom. I heard this song and have been hitting the Replay button on YouTube so often I'm surprised my mouse hasn't worn out. The final few lines I love so much, because I think they just fit with who I am now so much. I've had a lot of struggles that made me feel like giving up, but I see through it.

Also, I was this close to using "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" but maybe next time ;-)

TYLER SMASH

Not to perpetuate the stereotype, but I think one of my biggest flaws is my quick temper. I've had a pretty good day, filled with Simon and Garfunkel songs, Balverine-slaying, and Napoleonic Wars. So I'm on Twitter and a lot of the tweets that are coming up play out like a visual bombardment to the senses. All of these tweets were redundant, or whiny, or CAPS LOCKED, or whatever. Suddenly I'm in a #Gingerrage and feel this anger brimming inside of me. Of course, this has happened to things besides Twitter, so it's not isolated to just that site.

Don't you hate it when you're good one second and then the littlest irritant sends you fuming silently the next? Or fuming loudly, throwing things around like the Hulk?

Edit: I'm just asking for it by saying this, but if I see one more damned :') I will FLIP MY SHIT. WHY IS THERE A TEAR? THERE IS NO REASON FOR TEARS OF HAPPINESS OVER SOMETHING RIDICULOUSLY MINUTE!

The Far Side of the World

In another installment of what is rapidly turning into "Tyler's Movie Blog," I thought I'd just say how much I love "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World." Besides being a mouthful of a title, this is a terrific film. You know those kinds of movies that you could watch several times in a row and not get tired of it? This is one of those movies for me. If you haven't seen it, then I suggest you change that.

Tomorrow I'll be writing my term paper and going to my advising appointment, so hopefully there will be something of substance to write about.

#Winning

This is quite the lovely song I heard some weeks ago but only just got around to listening again. Great thing about spring break: lets me catch up. It's very calming, and yet adventurous. I love it.

So today was a bit of an unremarkable day. I watched Top Gear this morning and then have been putting away bins with our Christmas decorations. Yes, we have only just gotten rid of them all. The reasons why might show up in a later blog, I don't know.

Short post, but that's bound to happen.

Ed. I should add, actually, that my mom has become addicted to Twitter because of Charlie Sheen. It's gotten rather annoying with her constant quoting. Still, she's a great mom.

I Need an Interpreter

So I just watched "Lost in Translation" and now I might have to turn my film critic card in.

I didn't like it.

The film was so swamped with metaphors that I didn't have a clue about, the plot was completely murky, and even the title barely gives me a sense of the film. Bill Murray and Scarlett Johanson are lost and then find each other to become slightly less lost. Maybe. Even TVTropes could barely give me a sense of what this film was about. I just didn't see what all the fuss was about.

Was the audience being lost intentional? Was this just a giant game to make us empathize with the characters? I don't even know.

On to other matters. Today, my first official day of spring break, I did nothing, and it was glorious. I ate some food, let gold rack up on my Fable III character, and read. I love reading, I wish I could do it more often. I love free time. I wish I could travel, be free of restrictions. Someday I will.

I'll just be sure to avoid Japan.

"Well, there are some things a man just can't run away from."

Thankfully, John Wayne, I don't have anything to run away from. That quote, dear Reader, comes from a movie called "Stagecoach" directed by John Ford. It was the first film that convinced Hollywood that westerns were a bankable, serious idea. It was also the role that made John Wayne a star. Plus, I think it had one of the coolest chase scenes I've ever seen.

There's something about the western genre that attracts me. I go through many genres of entertainment, but I always come back to the western. I'm not entirely sure why. I wasn't a "cowboys and indians" type as a child. I never daydreamed about robbing banks or riding horses. Hell, I've only ridden a horse once, and I look stupid in cowboy hats.

What I think does it for me is the sole idea that it's man versus man in a stark environment. Things were simpler than now, but also so much more complex in different ways, as well as dangerous. It'd be a really shitty world to live in, but... don't you secretly wish you did?

On a different note, I started spring break today! I haven't had a majorly stressful semester so far, but damn it still feels good to kick back and relax. Except for that twenty page term paper I have to write. But that's a tale for another day.

How Did I Get Here?

So somebody posted a tweet about this song, causing it to be stuck in my head from the beginning of my History and Systems of Psychology class to... right now. I really like this song, considering I'm not the biggest fan of 80s music. I heard it at a Five Guys' a few months back, and just think it's really catchy.

Anyway, today was a good day, even with Jessica rubbing her pee hands on my back right as I'm walking to class. I wouldn't say it was very eventful, just good. Jared and I created a hierarchy of chivalry in which I'm king, so that's good. My Tyler sandwich from Einstein's was DELICIOUS, though light on the turkey. Chris found the first ever black gym leader in Pokemon White and... yep.

Aren't you so happy I'm making such meaningful, groundbreaking posts? I'll come up with some better ones soon!

The Neverending Story

So I have begun. 365 days of blogging, can you handle it? I don't know if even I can. I don't know if I've taken on something in such a long-term before, so this will be a whole new experience. I've tried keeping journals before but always get bogged down or lazy and don't write anything, but I'm hoping this time will be different.

So what can you expect from this blogging adventure? Pretty much what you've come to expect: insightful entries, boring entries, and everything in between. Some days I might just post a video, or a sentence, or even a word. I fully intend to keep up this promise to post, because no matter what, this blog is a catharsis. I've gone through a lot these past few years, and sometimes I've struggled to express myself. I've held things back, not just from myself, but from family and friends. Putting words to... screen, I guess, is a way to exorcise my demons from the day, week, month, even year.

On March 1st, 2012, I want to look back on this blog as a better person than I was: healthier, happy, and more fulfilled.

As a great man once said, the world's going pretty fast. If you don't stop and take a look around once in a while, you might miss it.

So, will you join me?