Monday, January 30, 2012

That Don't Impress Me Much!

I can't say I thought I would be posting a Shania Twain video on here when I started this blog, but desperate times call for desperate measures.  Fellas of my generation seem to have forgotten that it's usually a good idea to TRY and impress a lady...so here's a woman who puts it all in a tongue-and-cheek song that is oh so fun to sing along to! And fellas...maybe put off mentioning your Halo obsession or crazy ex-girlfriends until the third date?

Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Shania Twain!


XOXO,
Kristin

Run The World

I saw this number on Glee and absolutely loved it! (big surprise) Glee has been hitting it out of the park lately with their all-female numbers, but I gotta give props to Beyonce for the original song/video as well.  Check them out below!



XOXO,
Kristin

Monday, January 9, 2012

Jungle + Rolling Around On The Beach Half Naked = Fierce? Obviously.

Okay.  I'll keep this post short.  I could rant and rave about how the Destiny's Child video for "Survivor" depicts women in a negative way blah blah...but let's face it...those three hot chicks in camouflage bikinis really make me wanna kick some butt!  In this case, I say empowerment definitely wins out.  I'm pretty sure if I was ever stranded on an island I would not only tear myself a skimpy outfit out of whatever materials I had available, but I would also be transformed into an Amazon warrior woman...singing and dancing in my spare time when I'm not hunting for food or protecting the others from vicious creatures.  You may think I'm being sarcastic, but I'm actually completely serious...I. Love. This. Video. Enjoy!


Same song as part of a clever mash-up.  Great performance on Glee!  You go girls!


XOXO,
Kristin

Fixing You

I don't know whether it's the approaching Valentine's Day that's got me feeling so lovey-dovey tonight (yes, the red and pink has ALREADY invaded the stores) or something else entirely, but I feel like highlighting two very special performances of the same song, "Fix You" by Coldplay.

For Christmas, I got the new Glee Volume 7 cd...so. stinking. excited.  Anyway, one of the songs, is the cast's rendition of Coldplay's "Fix You."  Driving back to school, I found myself listening to the song over and over, and it reminded me of a stunning performance on So You Think You Can Dance that used the same song a few years ago.  For a little bit of background, the piece was inspired by cancer survivors and the desire of a loved one to "fix" them.  It's a beautiful piece and I think you will enjoy it.


Now back to Glee!  In this episode, Will sings this song to Emma after a particular rough visit with her parents that causes her OCD to flare up.  In an extremely moving gesture, Will sits down next to Emma to engage in her ritual with her.  He realizes for now, he can't make her pain go away, but he can be there with her.  As an OCD sufferer, this moment was particularly moving to me.  Isn't that what we all want after all?  To find that one person who will JOIN us in our pain?  The writer's of Glee have done a fantastic job with Emma's character and I hope you will be as moved by this scene as I was.


Lately I have found the desire to fix situations incredibly strong.  I want to take on the pain of my loved ones away and spare them from feeling it.  If you're like me and you've ever had this tendency, you understand it can be a devastating one.  Ultimately, you cannot take someone else's pain away and it would be unhealthy to do so.  But at the same time, I think the desire to do this for people we love is truly one of the most beautiful aspects of humanity.

XOXO,
Kristin

Screw Perfect

Hello all!  I owe this post to Glee.  In one of the recent episodes, "I Kissed A Girl," Glee club members work to convince Santana that being a lesbian is nothing to be ashamed of and that they will have her back no matter what.  The assignment for the week is to sing songs written by ladies, and for the ladies! Woohoo! 

Needless to say each song in this episode could get a blog post shout out, but the first song, sung by characters Kurt and Blaine, really touched me.  The song is "F**kin' Perfect (Perfect)" by P!nk.  I had heard it before, but when they sang it on the show to Santana I really paid attention to the words.  Here is the best video I could find of the scene:

 

Naturally, after seeing this episode, I was dying to look up P!nk's original version.  I have pretty much had it on repeat since then.  I have included the video below for your viewing and listening pleasure!

WARNING: This video/song contains expletives, images of sex and self harming, so use your own discretion before you view.

"F**kin' Perfect" by P!nk



I don't know what it is about this song exactly that gets me so fired up, but all I have to say is AMEN SISTA!  I gathered some statistics from the web on suicide and depression that I bet a lot of you will find pretty shocking:
  • In 2007, suicide was the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24 (National Institute of Mental Health website)
  • The top 10 leading causes of death in the United States in 2007 for adults ages 18 to 65 shows suicide is the 4th leading cause of death in the United States for adults in this age range, surpassing other causes including diabetes, stroke, and homicide. The data are based on death certificate information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Vital Statistics System. (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/3AGES1865.shtml; NIMH website) 
  • Depression will be the second largest killer after heart disease by 2020 -- and studies show depression is a contributory factor to fatal coronary disease. (http://www.upliftprogram.com/depression_stats.html#3; WHO report on mental illness released October 4, 2001. Health news stories: Depression Link to Heart Disease, Hostility, Depression May Boost Heart Disease)

It's hard to watch P!nk's video and not want to cringe and look away. The thing is, we can't look away, because this stuff is happening around us all of the time...right now...this second.  Clearly, looking at these statistics, this is not something that is a "small group" of people.  Don't you ever wonder why we live in such an unhappy world?  Doesn't it bother anyone else?  We just accept it, saying it's "how it is," but is it really how things are supposed to be?


I say no.  I say we change things.  And for God's sake people, open up!  Stop hiding your heart and pretending you don't feel, because we all do.  Love those around you even though you might get totally broken in the process.  And most importantly "pretty, pretty please don't you ever feel like you're less than perfect!" LOVE YOURSELF!


 I love that she ends the video in a positive way, because so often we don't see happy endings in cases like these.  I love P!nk for bringing this beautiful song and music video to the world. Mad props, girl!


Okay, if you still aren't convinced, here's the deal: I fail at this daily.  I realized writing a blog about empowering/empowered women and praising their awesomeness, I wasn't walking the walk myself.  I'm not saying this will go perfectly (haha...get it?), but I am going to make a pledge here and now to all of you lovely readers to make a change in my life.  I'm sick and tired of letting how a guy treats me bring me down.  And I'm done tearing myself down in the process.  I deserve to be treated the absolute BEST, and you do too.  Let's not give up on that...okay?


Whatever it is for you...image, sexuality, relationships, broken body...figure it out and think about making a change.  None of us are perfect and we wouldn't want to be.  Maybe you should try hanging a picture crooked or misspelling a word on your next assignment...it's kind of a rush.  Relish in your imperfections!!


I dare you. ;)


XOXO,
Kristin

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Get Hot!

If you haven't watched the music video for "Gimme Sympathy" by Metric, then you MUST....now...RIGHT now.  It's safe to say that a few years ago this song/music video changed my life...now before you go thinking I'm being melodramatic, let me just explain.  

This video came into my life at a time when I was starting to realize that I have this inner badass DYING to get out on the stage.  In everyday life, I'm goofy and I like to think adorable (hehe), but sexy and badass are not probably words that would come up if people were asked about me.  In terms of being in crowds, I HATE when people are all looking at me...HATE. IT.  I (still, unfortunately) run and hide when group games are being played.  By now you are probably thinking, "and THIS girl wants to be the front woman of a rock band?"  I know. 

What caught my attention about this video was the way in which, front woman, Emily Haines, carries herself.  From the very beginning, when she is donning her final glove, to the moment where she grabs the mic to begin singing, to her adorable leg dance (just watch and you'll understand) she commands the attention of the viewer.  It was this video that helped me to realize that being "badass" doesn't just mean one thing.  It's not so much about being ostentatious or outrageous, but more about a sense of power and confidence.  Now this, is something I can do! :)

The music itself is light, fun, and somewhat poppy, but her attitude definitely earns her video a spot on this blog.  And I mean, really...have you SEEN those heels?!


XOXO,
Kristin

Happy New Year!

As the new year begins, I'm sure we are all thinking about new year's resolutions and things we would like to do differently this year.  Personally, I've found resolutions to be completely useless in the past, serving not to inspire, but rather defeat.  I mean let's be serious...even if you want to read more "read 10 books this year" is really not an effective way to make it happen.  It's sort of setting yourself up for an automatic defeat.  If you read 8, that will be awesome, but you will feel bad, because you didn't make it all the way until book number 10.  And at the end of the day, is that really what we're going to remember come December 31, 2012? I have a feeling that most of you have probably had similar experiences.  If super specific resolutions work for you, then more power to you; however, I've found in the last few years that having a new year's mantra is far more effective.  What kind of changes can we make in the way we live?  That's what I want to focus on.


So what's my mantra for 2012?


"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment 
that there is something more important than fear."
Ambrose Redmoon

I'm going to let you in on a little secret...figure out how to do THIS (above) and your life will be constantly changing in a positive way.  One of the upsides to dealing with OCD from such an early age and having to overcome intensive treatment, is that I learned first hand that fear is just a smoke-screen.  Once you realize that something abstract is holding you back from virtually everything in life, it all comes down to you.  Are you going to let fear run your life today or are you going to kick fear in the ass? No, it's definitely not easy, but let me tell you it is MORE than worth it!

This year, I want to apply this mantra to my music.  I've come along way (I have started recording now!), but I still have a long way to go before I am up on stage shaking my thing (ugh, stage fright)!  But I have decided that my musical aspirations and the inner Sasha Fierce that I know I have inside of me is far more important that the fear I have about doing those things.  I think a lot of times people think that bravery comes from a lack of fear.  Thank God, I've finally realized courage is one of the most terrifying things you can be...fear DOESN'T go away, courageous people aren't supernaturally brave...they've just decided that something is more important than that fear.

So for any of you out there afraid to take a chance (me, me, me!), be afriad, be TERRIFIED, but DO. IT. ANYWAY. 

Here's to an amazing New Year!

XOXO,
Kristin