music | u – u2 #atozchallenge

Posted on 25 April 2017 by what sandra thinks
#atozchallenge 2017 | music | what sandra thinks
[Disclaimer: I am not a musician. I can sing. I remember most of the recital piece I played on the piano when I was 6. But I’m not a musician. I know what I like and what I don’t like and what will likely be the soundtrack when I arrive in hell.]

u | u2

I’m not much of a U2 fan… not really. But because I have this funny story… and because U is not an easy letter… I offer this little anecdote.

When I was a teenager, I went on a school field trip with the French club to the Museum of Fine Arts. [Not that kind of French club… but then again, my boyfriend was also in the French club…] Mr. G, French teacher extraordinaire, trusted us to be mature enough to explore on our own and meet back at the bus at the specified time. But he wanted to be sure we knew he was serious about the time.

And so he said… ‘The bus is leaving at 1 o’clock… with or without you!’

The entire bus full of French Club students broke into song in unison like one big chorus…

‘With or without you… I can’t live… with or without you…’

And holy shit, Bono is young in this video…!

wave
other u artists worth a listen
I’ve got nothing…

song of the day
#atozchallenge | music
© 2017 what sandra thinks
[I am not the owner of any rights to the music (song, lyrics, video) featured in this post…]
Posted in challenge, music, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 46 Comments

music | t – tori amos #atozchallenge

Posted on 24 April 2017 by what sandra thinks
#atozchallenge 2017 | music | what sandra thinks
[Disclaimer: I am not a musician. I can sing. I remember most of the recital piece I played on the piano when I was 6. But I’m not a musician. I know what I like and what I don’t like and what will likely be the soundtrack when I arrive in hell.]

t | tori amos
[The only female…]

I don’t like women. No… not you, ladies. I like you.

I rarely listen to female artists. Maybe I’m still boy crazy like in high school. I have no real explanation… but I have always had a very strong preference for male voices. The only live show with a female singer I ever attended on purpose was Tori Amos. And I have no regrets. She was phenomenal. Of course she was… she was composing on piano at age 5.

My younger sister and I sat in the 12th row of an incredibly beautiful old theater for the amazing show. [I have no idea why I remember the row… it was 21 years ago… my brain holds onto strange details…]

Yes, this is the actual theater… it is gorgeous.
Funny story: Years later, I laughed my ass off to Jon Stewart in the very same theater.

When the show ended, Tori had a bunch of her ‘people‘ out in the lobby with giant bunches of flowers… enough to give one to every single person walking out of the theater. How cool is that? I was impressed… on many levels.


China, all the way to New York
I can feel the distance getting close
You’re right next to me, but I need an airplane
I can feel the distance as you breathe

Sometimes I think you want me to touch you
How can I when you build the Great Wall around you?
In your eyes I saw a future together
Oh, you just look away in the distance

China decorates our table
Funny how the cracks don’t seem to show
Pour the wine, dear
You say we’ll take a holiday
But we never can agree on where to go

China all the way to New York
Maybe you got lost in Mexico
You’re right next to me
I think that you can hear me
Funny how the distance learns to grow

I can feel the distance getting close

[The ‘official video’ snips out a verse… so here’s the full audio…]

wave
other t artists worth a listen
They Might Be Giants — Their music may seem out of character for me… and maybe it is. But the live show… I’m not sure I’ve ever had so much fun at a show. The whole place (total dive of a club) was bouncing. Literally. I probably lost five pounds that night. Jumping up and down for two hours in combat boots. They were new… totally broken in after one night. And I’ve got to mention my favorite line… it’s perfect. Ana Ng: “I don’t want the world, I just want your half…” And don’t forget the blue canary in the outlet by the light switch… Birdhouse in Your Soul.

song of the day
#atozchallenge | music
© 2017 what sandra thinks
[I am not the owner of any rights to the music (song, lyrics, video) featured in this post…]
Posted in challenge, music, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

bitchfest | t – time #atozchallenge

Posted on 24 April 2017 by what sandra thinks

#atozchallenge 2017 | bitchfest | what sandra thinks

[PG-13: language]

t | time

An open letter to time.

wave

what sandra thinks @ redbubble

#atozchallenge | bitchfest
© 2017 what sandra thinks
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music | s – smiths, the + snow patrol #atozchallenge

Posted on 22 April 2017 by what sandra thinks
#atozchallenge 2017 | music | what sandra thinks
[Disclaimer: I am not a musician. I can sing. I remember most of the recital piece I played on the piano when I was 6. But I’m not a musician. I know what I like and what I don’t like and what will likely be the soundtrack when I arrive in hell.]

• • •

I have to split this one. Obviously, The Smiths. But I can’t ignore the greatness that is Snow Patrol… so… doubleshot it is. And I’m going to stick a ‘continue reading‘ thing here… because, of course, with two artists, this post won’t be a quickie, so to speak…

Continue reading →

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bitchfest | s – serving size #atozchallenge

Posted on 22 April 2017 by what sandra thinks

#atozchallenge 2017 | bitchfest | what sandra thinks

[Disclaimer: Some exaggeration and humor follow… but truth follows also. And much foul language.]

s | serving size

I was going to write about small talk. I hate it… I suck at it… and I really don’t want to be better at it because it makes me feel like a phony. But… that pretty much says it all. Then I thought about spam, but everyone has received that email promising a bigger, better version of a body part I do not possess. And snobs… I could go on about pretentious snobs. But I don’t want to do that. I already hated people.

I moved on to something that truly affects my daily life. Food. Drink. Sustenance. And the ‘proper‘ consumption thereof. I try to take care of myself… and my children. I want them to have good habits… to enjoy yummy things but maintain a proper healthy lifestyle. We are not perfect… and we are busy. Everything we consume doesn’t come out of the ground… or from the farm. So… I am constantly reading nutrition labels. And it does leave me with some questions…

Mainly this one:
Who the fuck determines ‘serving size’?  The company that owns product? The FDA? Who makes this shit up? Because most of it is ridiculous.

Let’s take a look at a few examples… then you tell me if I’m the one who’s crazy. [About this, I mean. We all know I’m crazy in fifty other ways…]

Friendly’s Forbidden Chocolate Ice Cream (or any ice cream). Serving size: 1/2 cup. Yes… one-half cup. Are you fucking kidding me? If you can eat just 1/2 cup of this deep dark chocolatey deliciousness, I’m not sure you’re human. Because I’m going to eat the whole damn 1.5 quart carton. And fuck you ice cream makers — those cartons used to be a half-gallon.

Almost every kind of bread available. Serving size: 1 slice. What the fuck? I am not cutting that bad boy in half to make a tiny sandwich. Maybe if I’m in the midst of a terrible stomach flu, I’d eat one piece of toast. But come on now. One fucking slice of bread. What-the-fuck-ever.

Peanut Butter. Serving size: 2 tablespoons. Two measly tablespoons. I love peanut butter so that’s not quite enough for my pb&j sandwich. But wait, let me share something with you: I’ve already eaten more than two tablespoons right off the knife before I even start making the damn sandwich.

Honey Nut Cheerios (or most cereals). Serving size: 3/4 cup. Go ahead… measure that out and dump it into a bowl. Maybe I’m a pig… but that’s not enough. Guess I need a smaller bowl. Like, the ones I used when my kids were toddlers.

Coffee. Serving size: 1 cup (8 oz.). Ahahaahahaaahahahhahaaaa.

Something is wrong with this picture…

wave

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#atozchallenge | bitchfest
© 2017 what sandra thinks
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music | r – r.e.m. #atozchallenge

Posted on 21 April 2017 by what sandra thinks
#atozchallenge 2017 | music | what sandra thinks
[Disclaimer: I am not a musician. I can sing. I remember most of the recital piece I played on the piano when I was 6. But I’m not a musician. I know what I like and what I don’t like and what will likely be the soundtrack when I arrive in hell.]

• • •

r | r.e.m.

It was going to be Radiohead. But… an R.E.M. song helped me through some seriously scary emotional moments in my life. As close as the phrase ‘everybody hurts’ is to a fucking cliché, it pulled me out of the depths… at least enough that I’m still here… because there was a chance things could have gone very differently.

When I listen to this song, on repeat, obviously, I hear ‘don’t give up’ and ‘hold on‘ way more than ‘this happens to everyone’. The latter makes me think… who the fuck cares about everyone else? When I’m in my own personal hell, that’s not comforting. Clearly, others know how to handle those feelings… while I do not. But hearing someone tell me not to give up… to hang on… that makes me feel like someone cares. Even if it is Michael Stipe who doesn’t know me personally nor do I know him… (though I have seen R.E.M. live several times).

Over the years, I’ve listened to R.E.M. less and less. But this song will always mean something more… and always remain in rotation, even if less frequently. Sometimes I need it… because I still have moments of hopelessness and a lack of any constant in my life that tells me to hold on… on demand.

I would be remiss not to also link Fall On Me… and Losing My Religion… two of my favorites.

• • •

When your day is long
And the night
The night is yours alone
When you’re sure you’ve had enough
Of this life
Well hang on
Don’t let yourself go
‘Cause everybody cries
And everybody hurts sometimes

Sometimes everything is wrong
Now it’s time to sing along
When your day is night alone (hold on)
(Hold on) if you feel like letting go (hold on)
If you think you’ve had too much
Of this life
Well, hang on

‘Cause everybody hurts
Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts
Don’t throw your hand
Oh, no
Don’t throw your hand
If you feel like you’re alone
No, no, no, you’re not alone

If you’re on your own
In this life
The days and nights are long
When you think you’ve had too much
Of this life
To hang on

Well, everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody cries
And everybody hurts sometimes
So, hold on, hold on…

[lyrics slightly edited for repeated lines in the interest of shortening this post…]

wave
other r artists worth a listen
Radiohead — I know it’s the one everybody knows… but it’s easily one of the best songs of all time… Creep. But you should also listen to… Fake Plastic Trees
Replacements, The — I previously posted The Last… but also… Achin’ To Be
Ride — This one song… I love it so much… Vapour Trail
Rick Springfield — definitely a guilty pleasure… Jessie’s Girl

song of the day
#atozchallenge | music
© 2017 what sandra thinks
[I am not the owner of any rights to the music (song, lyrics, video) featured in this post…]
Posted in challenge, music, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 28 Comments

bitchfest | r – reality tv #atozchallenge

Posted on 21 April 2017 by what sandra thinks

#atozchallenge 2017 | bitchfest | what sandra thinks

[Disclaimer: I don’t want anyone to be offended… Please know that. I am sure some of you actually enjoy this stuff. I mean, some of you must or it wouldn’t still be out there. I don’t understand it, but everyone is not me (we should all be thankful for that). My intention is not to attack anyone or anyone’s opinion. It’s just me with my extreme feelings on the subject.]

r | ‘reality’ television

Who the fuck watches this shit? [And when I ask that, I seriously do not know who watches it… or why… and to me, it’s shit. But again… if you love it, go nuts.]

I can’t talk about all of them because I’m going to hurt someone. Maybe myself. But I have to just… ugh… I don’t even know where to begin.

~

The Real World… which was never real. Was that the start of this reality nightmare? Do I have MTV to blame for everything? All I remember is the sound bite I heard again and again… ‘There is nothing real about The Real World.’ Shocking.

The ‘Survivors’ are going to survive no matter what. I don’t care who can do stupid things better. [Is that even what happens? I don’t know anyone who watches this anymore.]

I’m sort of okay with shows like Top Chef and The Amazing Race. They kind of have a brain… I’ve never watched either, but that’s the impression I get. And Mom watches The Amazing Race so that’s got to be okay.

That ‘The Voice’ exists isn’t so bad either. [And thank god we’re finally rid of American Idol. At least The Voice has cool chairs and hot Adam Levine.] BUT… what ever happened to real struggling musicians working their asses off playing dive bars and shit until they fucking earn it? And Gwen Stefani is annoying as fuck. [Who the hell gives up Gavin Rossdale for Blake ‘I’m a dick’ Shelton?] Speaking of… Blake Shelton is easily one of the most dick celebrities ever. I don’t watch The Voice, but on talk shows and even just promos… god damn… he is an ass. I cannot stand him. He’s earned a place on the PCF.

[The PCF or ‘plane crash flight’ is the flight which will crash and burn while loaded with passengers of my choosing. Like Taylor Swift and Cameron Diaz. Oh damn, I need to dedicate a post to the PCF!]

What is the point of Dancing With the [washed up] Stars? I don’t want to see these people, dancing or otherwise. In some cases, it totally creeps me out. Just… no. And come on… every season there is someone… or a couple of someones… who have a clear advantage because of their previous career/experience. Or maybe not. I don’t know. I don’t care.

Big Brother is watching but it has nothing to do with this stupid show. Voting and teaming up and keys and shit? I have no idea what the fuck is going on. I had a friend (who has since moved far away… boo…) who used to watch this show. If I was at her place, I had to sit through it. But really, I was usually in the kitchen making nachos or something.

I don’t even know what to say about The Kardashians. Why does this show exist? Because of Kim’s ass? I don’t understand. I’m going to pretend this doesn’t exist and move on.

Then there are shows like Teen Mom. Does no one see that this is basically an advertisement for teen pregnancy? Aww… look… a cute baby! I want one! UGH. How the fuck is this on television? How is this okay?

The Apprentice? Please. I CANNOT even go there. Fuck that show.

And finally… the worst of all…

No ‘Bachelor’ or ‘Bachelorette’ is ever going to truly fall in love through a fucking ‘reality’ show. It pains me to know people like the ones on these shows exist. I have never watched an episode of either of these but the clips show up… promos, late night shows… I cannot escape it. This is the worst of the worst. It makes me embarrassed to be an American. It makes a mockery of falling in love and if you know me, you know I am not okay with that. No. Wrong. Fail.

I don’t want to know any of this ‘reality’. I want to escape to some fictional place and laugh or cry or scream… I miss the days of actual fictional comedies and dramas that didn’t get cancelled after three episodes if everyone on earth didn’t watch. I miss when it felt like we were seeing what was good… not what was cheap to produce. That’s the reality I like.

wave

what sandra thinks @ redbubble

#atozchallenge | bitchfest
© 2017 what sandra thinks
Posted in challenge, rant, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 63 Comments

speaking heart.

Posted on 20 April 2017 by what sandra thinks

I think my brain needed a break from a-to-z… because this just poured out of it in about 90 seconds…

lost heartI miss my heart
and the way
it would speak
to me…
I loved your heart
and the way
it would speak
to mine…
you taught my heart
to open
‘til it could speak
to yours…
I lost my heart
when you left
and it will never speak
again…


©2017 what sandra thinks
Posted in poetry, writing | Tagged , , , , | 36 Comments