Thursday, November 13, 2008

Christmas songs & blog business

What, no more comments about how bizarrely horrifying like Chuck Norris that picture is? Going once, going twice...OK, we move on.

Blogging is fun when I have a spare moment, but spare moments aren't super common, so don't interpret any gaps as a blogging cessation. For example, today I have school till 9 pm and tomorrow will be a completely killer lousy day of meetings and dumb things at work, so blogging will be lite. But I read somewhere that only 12% of blogs are updated 'once a week or more,' so I think we're in good shape over here at TER.

Quick thoughts: checkers at grocery stores who do not turn the light on at their checkstand should be killed with no mercy or trial. Followed quickly by shoppers who go to their line to check out. If a checker is there with her light off, I will not go to her line, even if people are in it. By principle, I take it as a matter of fact that she's trying to leave for her lunch break, so I don't wander over to the line with a quizzical look on my face like the other shoppers. But 99% of the time the light is burned out. Which is stupid because IT'S A RETAIL STORE! Go to the lightbulb aisle and get one. But invariably she'll just check people through as I stand behind someone who is gearing up for a Machu Pichu expedition and is buying half the store.

Next thought: I only have 109 Christmas songs on my iPod-a dismally low number. Primary occupants are The New Christy Minstrels, Roger Whittaker, Mannheim Steamroller, and Sesame Street Christmas, with various other sundry indie artists, most of whom I've never heard of outside of their inclusion on various sundry indie Christmas compilations. My point: I need more Christmas song suggestions. Nothing lame, please-this would be your Elvises, your Bing Crosbys, your 'traditional' Christmas music. Just because it's Christmas music doesn't mean it has to be bland! Here is a good Christmas music litmus test: if you've heard it playing over head in a grocery store, it's not good Christmas music. Please leave your suggestions in the comments, either for songs or artists.

Final thought: You know, sometimes our children just have to express themselves. And we as parents should do that in a spirit of tolerance and understanding. Next up, The Oprah Winfrey Show, where Oprah interviews another author who made up his entire 'non-fiction' book.

17 comments:

Carlee Hoopes said...

How do you feel about Enya? She just released a Christmas album yesterday and it's fantastic. Well, that is if you like Enya. You might also like the Jon Schmidt Christmas album. Well, that is if you like solo piano music.

And Kory's personal favorite: The Forgotten Carols by Michael McLean. (just kidding. he gags when he hears it.)

Anonymous said...

I'm a Hoopes. Of course I love the New Christy's and Bonanza, but my newest favorites are James Taylor and Kenny Rankin's Christmas albums, who are both Hoopes favorites.

Hillary said...

I can cross one thing off my "things to do before I die" list. Not because I saw a taping of oprah but because I so utterly detest the woman that I no longer want to be an audience member. Thanks oprah!

And you have all the Christmas music I have so I can't help you there. If only Wham had released an entire seasonal album....

Christian said...

Our Mom is Enya, so I'm ambivalent towards her (seriously, they look identical, or did in 1993).

My wife has the JT Christmas album, and I think it's good. This side of traditional but good. I didn't know KR had a Christmas album though-I'll have to look for that.

Kristen said...

I like Kathy Mattea's Christmas cd (I don't really think she's a country singer, so we're okay here)- you've got to love her "Baby King" rock song, and her blues, and her ballads. It's an excellent cd.
You DO have Bonanza and Ed Ames albums, don't you?
As for songs, I like "Some Children See Him". JT and Kenny Loggins both have good arrangements of it.

Jessica said...

Okay, I really need your Seseme Street Christmas!!!! I used to have that, but don't now. You need Christmas With The Chipmunks and Christmas With The Muppets (with John Denver) and you MUST get A Bonanza Christmas! Also good, is Christmas With The Ratpack, and James Taylor is always a pleaser. I also enjoy my "Let It Snow" with Michael Bub`le and anything Frank Sinatra, but I am telling you, unless you are Chrissy, it is very hard to distinguish between Frank, Dean and Sammy Davis Jr.

Kirk said...

I don't know how you feel about Manaheim Steamroller but it brings back horrible FM100 memories as a kid. If you're in the right kind of "butt rocker" mood Trans-Siberian Orchestra can be entertaining for about 5 minutes. I stick with Tim Reynolds and Dave Matthews "The Christmas Song"...I can listen to it all day Christmas and then it's time to turn it off and focus on love songs and those fancy Valentine's Heart Candies.

Hillary said...

I can't tell you how many times I read those comments before I realized everyone was talking about James Taylor when they said "JT" and not Justin Timberlake. Then I was really disappointed realizing Justin Timberlake didn't have a Christmas album. He should.

Carlee Hoopes said...

Hillary,
Do you know who else has the initials JT? Johnathon Thomas. As in Johnathon Taylor Thomas. Remember him? Back in the day I had a big crush on him ... JTT + CB = TRUE LOVE. I bet if he would've made a Christmas CD (tape), I would have bought it. But not now.

Jessica said...

Hmmm, I would go for a Justin Timberlake Christmas album ;)

Robin said...

The Sufjan Stevens Christmas album is pretty. But you know kind of hippieish too.

Christian said...

I LOVE the entire Sufjan Stevens album and can't believe I forgot to mention it. It's one of my main Christmas albums. "Once In Royal David's City" is my favorite. Great catch!

Christian said...

Justin Timberlake did actually write a Christmas Song, although it would not be appropriate for caroling.

Anonymous said...

I am also a Sufjan fan! My favorite Christmas song of his is Going to the Country! I just weep even though the words are really funny ("pin some mistletoe upon your mother's blouse").

Chrissy Lucia said...

Jessica! I totally own the Sesame Street Christmas CD . . . and Christian! How could you possibily have a Merry Christmas without listening to the swooney, crooner Bing Crosby!?!? I would have to go along with Jessica and suggest Christmas with the Ratpack as well, but I would suspect that since you don't care for good ol' Bing then you probably wouldn't care for Frankie and his pack. :)

Christian said...

Jessica, I will send you the mp3s of the Sesame St Christmas-just shoot me your email address!

Jessica said...

Christian, email is jesscasey@gmail.com