A Bed of Songs & Stories

"Hedwig's Theme" from Harry Potter - John Williams Whatever happened to the good ol' days when "trick or treating" meant running around with a bunch of awesome kids dressed in creative costumes? When a crowd would pile up on our front porch and keep coming to the point where it was pointless to lock our front door? When the streets were filled with enthusiasm just as the sun sets and one by one, bags upon bags would get heavier and heavier with candy without any worry that something unsafe secretly hides inside it? Whatever happened to brilliantly lit jack o'lanterns that aligned the walkways without fear of catching on fire or spoiling too soon? To cheap, plastic masks that hurt our ears because the stretchy string didn't stretch out wide enough to wrap around our whole head? When you could grab a white bedsheet, poke two holes in it, pull it over your entire body and call yourself a "ghost?" Whatever happened to the extravagant decoratio...

"Criminal" - Britney Spears It's a funny feeling to feel so good and not so good all at the same time; to make a decision that I know is bad for me, but it's fun so I do it anyway... I had a little too much Vodka (something called a "Blueberry Muffin") last night and all I gotta say is I bit off a lot more than I could chew! If you asked me, someone must've laced mine. Maybe it came from an extra special pastry with an extra special ingredient and then squeezed into a clear bottle of booze that I never actually saw being poured into my orange plastic cup! Luckily, it was a mellow gathering at a local friend's house so I didn't find myself peeing in an alley somewhere or swearing like a sailor either. But I did have my fair share of alcohol! Things were getting hazy after 11P, but soon I made my way home and was sound asleep (in full hair and make-up) by 1:05A. Needless to say, I woke up 4-hours later feeling like hammered sh*t. I needed to wash u...

"Take a Bow" - Madonna feat. Babyface I love the smell of my newly-washed hair pressed against my face as I unravel it from being tangled up in a loose bun. I love the first, initial sip of a hot latte or passion fruit iced tea in a tall glass with extra ice. I love opening a box of See's candies and seeing nothing but blueberry truffles inside. I love receiving something personally addressed to me in the mail that isn't junk or a bill. I love looking at old photos and remembering exactly what happened in that photo so much that the feeling I felt at the very moment it was taken comes rushing back. I love curling my toes up inside warm, fuzzy socks. I love eating ice cream on a cold day. I love skimming the aisles filled with beautiful Hallmark cards and finding the right one for the right person. I love the smell of a new journal. I love seeing an empty hamper and a neatly-made bed. I love seeing my breath form in front of me when the seasons change for the holidays....

"Cupid" - Sam Cooke I did the unthinkable and finally got on Match. It's been 2-days, but I'm not expecting miracles. I guess after the year I've had, I finally let my sister convince me that there's really nothing to lose, but a tiny little investment. And hey if I don't meet anyone interesting in 6 months, it wouldn't be any different than the last 6 months. And if I do, I do. I haven't had much luck in this area of my life, but I sure did try a lot in my "free" time to do things I wouldn't normally do so I figured why not add this onto my plate? I may like the taste of it or I may spit it out, but at least I gave it a try. This whole damn dating thing is just not my cup of tea. I have to admit I hated doing the "About Me" section so I rambled on like a sarcastic smarta$$ the first night about the whole been there, done that. My tag line was, "Tired of the same ol' crap so who's tired with me?" I didn...

Songs TBA Last night, I saw a special, private screening courtesy of the Screening Exchange called, "Welcome to People" directed by Alex Kurtzman. I loved it and it wasn't something that I thought I'd love. In fact, I almost changed my mind at the last minute when I saw that familiar long line down the steps at Arclight Paseo. I figured, "Hell it's just another movie." But I'm so glad I didn't turn around. I'm glad I stood in the back of the line, got my hand stamped and cell phone taken away for nearly 3-hours in order to be in a room filled with strangers. I just wish I had something with me to write down the great songs I heard that disappeared by the time I logged onto this blog. It makes me appreciate technology...so check it out when it comes out. I'll make sure I have my cell phone handy the next time I see it so I can grab some songs along the way. Oh, I'm Hannah, not Frankie and let me know what you think.

"Calm Down" - Loney Dear I. Want. This. Song. (I can't find it anywhere.) It's not on Playlist (No surprise) It's not on YouTube (Big surprise!) It's not even on any search engine for lyrics (Bigger surprise). So. Go. Get. This. For. Me. Because. I. Deserve. Everything. I. Want. FYI: The only site I found this song on was http://www.epitonic.com/artists/loney-dear/. So go to it now before it's lost forever. Hurry. The xylophone alone is a good reason as any. It reminds me of the "crocodile ice-skating" scene, but it's not as eerie. I found a few songs I like, but this one is the ONE that played on KCRW's " Morning Becomes Eclectic ." I finally found beauty in mornings! So, I thought to myself, "Anything that can make me appreciate such a dreaded hour is worth looking into." Morning Becomes Eclectic is committed to a music experience that celebrates innovation, creativity and diversity by combining progressive pop, wo...

"Secret Lovers" - Atlantic Starr I arrived early to work this morning. I could hear an owl not too far away. The road was damp and the air smelled fresh and clean. I carefully parked just below the big, drooping tree, squishing its dead branches against the wet curb. I turned off my headlights and watched as the fog that sat quietly on top of the hill ahead of me slowly started to disappear. Two silver Benzs that have become frequent visitors to our "isolated" location within the last year were revealed. The man, who drove the sports car, popped out with no shame to tuck in his blue, button-up shirt. The woman, dressed in a pencil skirt and lavender blouse, pushed up her vanity mirror inside her slightly-tinted SUV. They no longer seemed to care that their actions were calling attention to them, although they did make a drastic change in their meeting time in order to be less obvious. They're usually lunch folks and have been seen in this spot just a little pas...

"Roll Up" - Wiz Khalifa Ok so this isn't about getting high, although it was difficult to find a pic of Wiz Khalifa not smokin' a joint. I get now what, "I'll roll up" actually means. Regardless, this song was in my head for different reasons. I said I wouldn't come up here unless I had something to write well, here's my reason. I know the point of the song doesn't fit and it's a bit ghetto, but I like it. I've been thinking about this chorus and about having someone that would be there for me no matter what. I'm not talking about the whole "relationship vs. no relationship" thing again, but it's just so boring right now. I miss being able to call a guy and having this genuine kind of conversation. No booty calls. No reminiscing with the exes. No gay guys telling me how great they got it when I don't got sh*t. Just a great one-on-one with a man who knows how to be a man and is really interested in what I have to ...

"Paper Planes" - M.I.A. Last night we went to a glorified "taco stand" restaurant hidden behind a very eventful Friday night street fair. The food was good and the company was even better. Only I ordered a Margarita to go with my meal, but I didn't finish it because it was filled with real alcohol and not enough rocks! I surprise myself when I try to act my age. I really do. But their iced tea came in a bottle and there was no Equal in sight. A gal had to make a choice, but next time I know to soda my way out of it. Anyway, it was an interesting evening to be in a Latin-inspired place with nothing Latin about it besides their tacos, but it was a nice change of pace. I prefer trying new places with no memory of anyone. And just when I thought all of this was awesomely new, song after song slowly started to pull me back to the past. The funny thing is the very first song was Bob Marley so I was hopeful, but then came Radiohead, Death Cab for Cutie, and pretty muc...

"Everything's Gonna Be Alright" - Bob Marley I've been avoiding you, I know. I'm trying not to exhaust myself, but I'm a bit burnt out from blogging. I don't want to write because "I have to" even if at times, I'm afraid you would forget about me if I don't try. But this is supposed to be about me, right? So if I feel like I'm losing sight of that, well then I'll take a break. Sometimes my break can last longer than others, but as long as I don't let a whole month roll by I figured I could get away with a few days. It'll help me gather up more things to write about. It's the "sorting out" part that drives me nuts! The finding the right songs and then the finding out that they've been deleted from playlist (arghhhhhhhh!!!!)... It's when this happens that this whole thing seems to be hurting more than it's helping, but I gotta take that chance. Or else I'll end up quitting all over again. I ca...

"The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack" - Liars This movie better have a soundtrack or I would hope that someone (cuz I know I won't be the one) would be so brilliantly kind to gather and arrange all of these songs and create a magnificent compilation. I have yet to hear it all, but from what I've heard so far... I'm in awe. Finally, the odds are in my favor to have such an emotionally charged, " Juno meets Cancer" type film carry with it music that has the power to lift me up no matter what. Songs from the movie, 50/50 1.Jacuzzi Boys – Bricks or Coconuts 2.John Fumo – Midnight Blue 3.Radiohead – High and Dry 4.Harmony & Balance – Simplicity 5.The Walkmen – New Country 6.Bee Gees – To Love Somebody 7.The Aggrolites – Work To Do 8.Eric V. Hachikian – Downtown Blues 9.The Sideway Runners – Turn It Down 10.Mr. Little Jeans – Angel (Rac Remix) 11.Autokratz – Stay The Same 12.The Diplomats of Solid Sound – Soul Connection 13.Shapes and Sizes – Too Late For...

"Strange Love" - Bats for Lashes (original by Depeche Mode) I was walking through a brightly lit, very messy and very trendy clothing store, but became too distracted by the clutter on the floor to shop. It aggravated me how little people care nowadays to make a place presentable. It's like having guests come over to a filfthy house. Why even invite them?! Why would I want to try on something that's been used as a mop against the sticky linoleum by other careless customers' feet?! So what if it's at a discount? Am I asking for too much here? I wouldn't even take it for free! So, obviously I was in no mood to rummage through the sale racks since all their stuff was off the hangers, spilling from cardboard boxes while the "nicer" stuff got ransacked like it was Black Friday! I'll fight for a good price, but not like this. Not on an average day when sh*t should be kept in order. No. I have my limits and just didn't want to deal with the chao...

"Love Your Memory" & "Dead Flowers" - Miranda Lambert There's something about a strong female voice and a simple instrument like a guitar or a piano that will never ever fail me. I wish I could say the same about you; about all of you that well...did. I know that some may ask, "What's the purpose of these songs if it would just break you down?" But for me breaking down is what helps me build again. At first, I wanted to post something funny and lighthearted. I pulled up Miranda Lambert (who I call the "Britney" of Country) and listened to her new band, Pistol Annies' song, "Hell on Heels." I blogged about it briefly and hit publish without a second thought. I was about to call it quits when something told me to hold on. I didn't know what that something was so I went back to make a few more edits and saved it onto my drafts. I know, I know let the music speak for itself, but it wasn't saying what I wanted it to s...

"Animal" - Neon Trees I think of a car commercial. A group of fun-loving teens riding along in a convertible to the beach with their tanned limbs dangling from each side. I could see the waves crashin' against the cliffs as they drive pass with the sun and wind whippin' their golden blond hair over their bug-eyed sunglasses. I hear laughter and this song blasting in the background. I see newly-polished red toe nails and matching swimwear from American Apparel. I smell suntan lotion and tropical kiwi-strawberry body splash. A picnic basket filled with junk food sits side-by-side next to a big, red beer cooler chillin' in the backseat! Everyone's burstin' with bright smiles, white teeth, and energy! What a total California Summer cliche! My ultimate nightmare! But... it is a good song and sometimes a gal gotta step outta my element and play pretend every once in a while as if I will ever be able to fit into this stereotypical mold. Now all this Barbi...

"You Lost Me" - Christina Aguilera I'm exhausted, but I wanted to hear this before I go to bed. I've been listening to it a lot and though it feels a little out of place with everything that's gone on... especially with everyone... and it's not really meant for anyone... It's still within me and finally needed to be released. Lyrics: I am done, smoking gun We've lost it all, the love is gone She has won, now it's no fun We've lost it all, the love is gone And we had magic And this is tragic You couldn't keep your hands to yourself I feel like our world's been infected And somehow you left me neglected We've found our lives been changed Babe, you lost me And we tried, oh how we cried We lost ourselves, the love has died And though we tried you can't deny We're left as shells, we lost the fight And we had magic And this is tragic You couldn't keep your hands to yourself I feel like our world's been infected And somehow...

Boys on the Side Soundtrack 1) "You Got It" - Bonnie Raitt 2) "I Take You with Me" - Melissa Ethridge 3) "Keep on Growing" - Sheryl Crow 4) "Power of Two" - Indigo Girls 5) "Somebody Stand by Me" - Stevie Nicks 6) "Everyday is Like Sunday" - Pretenders 7) "Dreams" - the Cranberries 8) "Why" - Annie Lenox 9) "Ol' 55" - Sarah McLachlan 10) "Willow" - Joan Armatrading 11) "Crossroads" - Jonell Mosser 12) "You Got It" - Whoopi Goldberg You wanna know? You really wanna know? Well, this soundtrack is the reason why I fell in the love with the simple and honest music of Country. My favorites are tracks 4, 5, 9 & 10. This is what sparked my interest in female folk singers and it wasn't until late last night that it brought back what made me feel so full. I had nothing to do on a Friday night. I have nothing to do tonight. And I'm fine with that. It's rar...

"Mary Jane's Last Dance" - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers When I first heard this song, the idea of "Mary Jane" was completely beyond me. I was a bit behind the times and didn't even know this was slang for pot. Hell, I didn't even know pot was slang for Marijuana. Let alone that such a plant was considered a "drug." I was naive, but glad that I didn't let this reference control what came to mind when I learned the lyrics. So, I interpreted it to be about a tired girl who was fascinating to everyone, but herself. I called her "Mary Jane." All throughout most of my adolescence I used this name as my alias on most of my short stories published in the school paper, the first of which was entitled, "Last Dance with Mary Jane." I wrote in the first person, envisioning how it would feel like to be admired; to walk into a room knowing that the world stopped because I was in it. It was invigorating and obviously vain, but I f...

The music says it all, huh? Well, if that's true then you should be saying this to me. "Woman" - John Lennon I would always think about this song whenever you would call me, "Woman." Speaking with Rolling Stone just days before his death, "'Woman' came about because, one sunny afternoon in Bermuda, it suddenly hit me what women do for us. Not just what my Yoko does for me, although I was thinking in those personal terms... but any truth is universal. What dawned on me was everything I was taking for granted. Women really are the other half of the sky, as I whisper at the beginning of the song (a paraphrase of a Chinese proverb, once used by Mao Zedong). It's a 'we' or it ain't anything." - John Lennon Lyrics: "For the other half of the sky ..." Woman I can hardly express, My mixed emotion at my thoughtlessness, After all I'm forever in your debt, And woman I will try express, My inner feelings and thankfulness, For...

Written on July 27, 2011 "There Is" - Box Car Racer This came to mind so many times, but it never quite fit whenever I tried to post it. So, I'm putting it up here because it just needs to be up here because you told me to put it up here. So, here. Lyrics: this vacation's useless these white pills aren't kind i've given a lot of thought on this 13-hour drive i missed the grinding concrete where we sat past 8 or 9 and slowly finished laughing in the glow of our headlights i've given a lot of thought to the nights we used to have the days have come and gone our lives went by so fast i faintly remember breathing on your bedroom floor where i laid and told you but you sweared you loved me more do you care if i don't know what to say will you sleep tonight or will you think of me will i shake this off pretend it's all okay that there's someone out there who feels just like me there is those notes you wrote me i've kept them all i'll give a ...