Ode to Justin

Today is the birthday of my second (after Zack Morris) true love.

Justin Timberlake

Oh Justin. I remember the first time our eyes met while I was watching your concert on the Disney Channel. I remember the endless hours spent walking back and forth from Days Market spending hard earned babysitting money on magazines featuring your beautiful face.

I remember the many posters I had of you on my wall. The way your blue eyes starred longingly into mine when I saw you in concert when I was 13. I remember how you used to wear giant pants, had bleached blonde hair, and danced.

(and apparently had your own Barbie)

Thank you for changing your wardrobe to sweater vests, shaving your head (even though the curls were cute), and growing some scruff.
 

(Seriously...thank you)

(Yeah I even stood by you through this....)

Thank you for writing all those songs about me including "God Must Have Spent A Little More Time on You"...I think He did spend a little more time on me. 

I remember the day you started dating Britney my heart broke a little

(ok a lot...I may have cried)

I remember the day you broke up with Britney put a little smile on my face.

(although you did have a lot in common...)

 

I'd like to thank Jessica Biel for being a pawn for the media so that you and I can keep our love secret.

(Talking to me on the phone...obviously)

From "I Want You Back" to "Sexy Back"- Happy 28th Birthday and here's to another 28 great years to come...unless I find someone hotter than you.

Best in Music 2008 (according to me)

I love music. I am constantly listening to it either actually or in my head. One of my biggest wishes is that I could walk around with a constant soundtrack to my life. Unfortunately that only happens in movies...but since I love music so much I am always keeping my eyes and ears out for new music and new artists. I frequently discover these amazing artists and then a year later EVERYONE starts listening to them (i.e. The Fray, Snow Patrol, Plain White T's just to name a few). I am known for making really great mixed CD's because I can find you new artists that you will like based on classic artists you like (I wish I got paid for that....)- I do it for Becky's clients all the time and we have fun doing it and when they come back loving the suggestions I made it just makes me feel good. Kind of like passing on a really amazing book that changed your life to a friend. Love it. So going back through 2008 I decided I would list my top 10 favorite albums of 2008 and some up-coming CD's and artists for you all to look out for...

10. Ok I kind of cheated and put 2 different albums for my number 10.

Leona Lewis: Spirit

Goldfrapp: Seventh Tree

2 totally different sounds but really great in their own ways...Leona Lewis has some powerhouse vocals!

9. P!nk: Funhouse

I think Pink is totally brilliant. She is beautiful, has an amazing voice, and an amazing ability to express herself through music. Her music is so personal and has such raw emotion. She sings about feelings that no one wants to talk about. I wish I was her.

8. Snow Patrol: A Hundred Million Suns

Snow Patrol's lyrics are poetry.

7. Rachel Yamagata: Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart

Strange title I know but I love Rachel. She has such a beautiful quiet type of voice. Perfect for a rainy day.

6. The Killers: Day & Age

I love The Killers. Sometimes their songs are really quirky but I love the way they set the scene in a song. They describe a situation in such a cool way really painting a picture for you. One of my favorites on the album is a song called "A Dustland Fairytale" and just to give you a little snippet of what I was talking about lyrics wise "Long brown hair, and foolish eyes. He'd look just like you'd want him to-Some kind of slick chrome American prince. Blue Jean serenade Moon river what you do to me. I don't believe you. Saw Cinderella in a party dress, but she was looking for a nightgown. I saw the devil wrapping up his hands, he's getting ready for the showdown."

I love it.

5. Sugarland: Love on the Inside

If you like country music, if you don't like country music...you will LOVE Sugarland. Some of their songs are very twangy (actually just 2) but the rest of them are brilliant. Once again I am a slave to great lyrics. Sugarland describes exactly what I'm feeling in a beautiful way and Jennifer Nettles has a beautiful voice.

4. Lady GaGa: The Fame

Such a fun dance album. Great for turning up loud while cleaning or working out.

3. Ray LaMontagne: Gossip in the Grain

I love Ray. His voice is beautiful, his songs are soulful, and he writes songs that will fill you with such emotion you will literally weep and the beauty and sadness of it all.

2. Adele: 19

I can not say enough about Adele. Her voice and her music are rare and wonderful. Listen to her album immediately.

1. Taylor Swift: Fearless

It was a close call between this and Adele but in the end I gave it to Taylor because I put her CD in, play it all the way through without skipping a single one and no matter what kind of a mood I'm in I listen to them all. Her songs are fun, sad, sweet, brave, heartbreaking, powerful, nostalgic, hopeful, and realistic. She sings about feelings we have all had. Relationships we have all had, wished we had, or wished we hadn't. Girls (and guys so I hear) of all ages will love this CD. Listen to it and love it.

And for some artists/albums to be looking forward to...

The Fray: "The Fray"

I love them. Once again their lyrics are so amazing they give me chills. Before you get this album make sure to get their first one "How to Save a Life" and listen to my favorite song "Look After You" and you'll be hooked. All their songs are SO good.

The Bird and the Bee: "Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future"

Their cover of "How Deep is Your Love" is so beautiful and all their songs are great. One to definitely check out is "My Love" and "Love Letter to Japan"

Cat Power: "Dark End of the Street"

CatPower takes songs we all know and re-arranges them so you feel like you are hearing them for the first time. 2 of my favorites are Frank Sinatra's "New York" and Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now). Check her out and hopefully you won't be disappointed.

Erin McCarly: "Love, Save the Empty"

I've been listening to her for about a year or so now and I have a feeling she is really going to take off. Some stand out tracks to me are "Pitter-Pat", "Pony (It's Ok), "Lovesick Mistake" and "Blue Suitcase"

I will update you as I come across good music. And if you want your own personalized mixed CD let me know- I'll give you the quiz.

Late Night TV

So as you know I work night shift at the hospital. So even on nights when I am not working I usually try to keep my same schedule so that my body will be used to it. Sometimes this works and sometimes it fails miserably (like yesterday when I woke up at 7:30 pm and couldn't fall asleep again until 3pm the next day...). Luckily for me this schedule has left me plenty of room to enjoy my favorite late night activity....watching infomercials. In college my roommates and I would stay up all hours of the night and since we poor college kids only had basic cable (a travesty I know....) the only thing on after 1 am are infomercials. We would watch them all and sometimes we would call and order the free DVD's of weird ones and anonymously send them to each other....good times (it's Rexburg...we did what we could ok?). I LOVE infomercials. My personal favorite was always the "Magic Bullet" one and I saw it so many times I could actually quote it. I've been lusting a magical blender for years and my BFF Becky actually got me one for my 22nd birthday...it's wonderful! So these late nights have opened my eyes to a whole new world of products that I must have!!! Here are some recent ones I saw and my feelings about them...

1. The Cricut

Made by Provo Craft...oh you clever Mormons! My sister and I saw this one recently and I think it's genius. There was one lady who had seriously used the Cricut to design her whole house- like even tile. Can you imagine living in that home? All school projects done on the Cricut, dishes emblazoned with pictures produced by the Cricut- I would be more impressed if the Cricut actually made dinner for you. If I scrapbooked I would definitely want this but alas....the thought of scrapbooking gives me and headache and anxiety.

2. PedEgg
"Now you can make your feet feel smooth and healthy with NO MESS!
The PedEgg has over 100 precision micro-files that remove the calluses and dead skin from your feet, leaving you with silky smooth skin.
Best of all, the PedEgg is specially constructed to collect all of the shavings that usually wind up on the floor, allowing you to use Ped Egg virtually anywhere with NO MESS! "
I want one.

3. Mighty Mendit
Let me first of all say...Billy Mays could sell me anything he wanted to. I believe every word he says (or rather shouts...I mean seriously Billy- control the level of your voice a smidge). This product is NOT a glue but a flexible adhesive bonding agent. It actually works with the fibers in fabric to fix almost anything. I had my doubts until Billy fixed a ripped American flag and then stood in a wind machine to prove it wouldn't rip back open. Amazing Billy. You must be exausted with genius.


4. Bumpits (which looks like the word Bum Pits I know but it is actually "Bump-its")
These are used to bump up the volume of your hair by using plastic hair inserts that take your hair from flat to fabulous in seconds without using ANY styling products! You simply place the piece underneath your hair at the crown of your head and INSTANTLY transform your look. Girls in Utah must be rejoicing! No more teasing combs or hairspray ladies! Just pop one of these in and you can bump it up! Bump a pony or rock a bob! I would seriously try these just to see if they could also give me an attitude adjustment and I can be as happy as these ladies are...



5. Smooth Away
This product straight up creeps me out. This is a shaveless, creamless hair removal system- which is just not natural. Each smooth away pad is covered with superfine crystals that buff away unwanted hair leaving it smooth and soft. Which pretty much gives me the visual of taking sand paper and rubbing it all over my body....yuck. I like how in all these hair removal commercials everyone is struggling with other methods of removing hair. They are all getting the creams in their eyes and slashing themselves shaving just waiting for a product to some along where they don't have to put up with these "difficult" methods anymore. Seriously? The worst part about it is that it shows how BONUS guys can use it too and it shows this dude rubbing away his chest hair and at that point I pretty much wanted to throw up. No thank you Smooth Away I will stick to shaving and waxing like normal people.

6. Snuggies
We've all seen these commercials haven't we? It is like a cult. One that I desperately want to be a part of. I want a snuggie so bad! First of all they are so fashionable I would be the envy of everyone I know. Second of all- I would never have to be cold again! I was just thinking as I sit here typing this "Gee if I had a snuggie my arms wouldn't be so cold"...I wouldn't have to expose my arms to the harsh cold of our living room every time I wanted to change the channel on the TV, I could make dinner with my snuggie on! I could read to my grandchildren and make s'mores and go to football games and NEVER have to be cold. A blanket with sleeves...brilliant! Not to mention the fact they come in 3 fun and totally "now" colors. Buy now and you can get not one but TWO snuggies for just $19.95. Anyone want to go half-sies?





7. Sham-Wow
My life long goal is to get a sham wow. I literally say "Wow" every time I see this commercial. Everytime I hear "Hi it's Vince from Sham-Wow" I get chills and happily squirm a little in my seat. This is like a shammie, a sponge, a cloth all in one! Holds up to 12x's it's weight in liquids. And swimmers even use it to dry off! Which means if you use a Sham Wow you are basically Michael Phelps. I'll admit I might even have a little crush on Vince...him and his headset microphone. Beware of Sham Wow imitators though! These are made in Germany (you know those Germans always make good stuff). The Sham Wow you'll say Wow every time!




Now if only they could invent a snuggie that had a sham wow built into it so I wouldn't even have to be cold to clean up.
I'll work on it.

Tagged: 6 Random Things

List 6 random things about yourself.
Tag 6 people at the end of your post.

6 Random Things:
one: I am terrified of something waiting for me in my room before I go to bed (namely...a clown) so I have to check my closet and under my bed once before get ready for bed and then again before I acutally turn off the light (I know...I'm crazy)

two: the three foods i hate most are : spagetti, pancakes, and bacon. yuck.

three: the three foods i am allergic to are: tomatos (in all forms including ketchup), hamburger meat, and popcorn

four: i can tell what color a peanut m&m is without looking- I can just taste it and tell the difference. this claim has been challenged many times and all times i was sucessful at proving it. if you would like to challenge me- i am not afraid. bring a bag over and i'll show you. and just a little fyi: i hate the yellow and green ones.

five: i watch all disney channel shows- hannah montana, wizards of waverly place, suite life of zack and cody...and i laugh out loud to them. i also crochet so i'm not sure which age group i actually belong to

six: i am a compulsive product tester. if i hear about a new product (hair, make up, cleaning, etc...) i HAVE to have it and try it. my mom thinks i should do this for a career so that i can make money in return for all the money i'm wasting.

Ok in return I tag....Jen, Beth (if she ever blogs again), Corinne, Mom, Shellese, and Vandi

It's a Love Story Baby Just Say Yes....

I've been thinking a lot lately about love. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I've been re-reading Twilight (oh Edward...sigh). I've NEVER been the googly "love stories, prince charming, fairy tale" type of girl- I had my one and only love, Zack Morris, and when I didn't end up marrying him, it kind of ruined the whole romance thing for me. I really have grown very cynical about love. First of all finding one person in this world who loves you and who you love back...you are like 50 times more likely to be struck by lightning...twice (or something like that)...so already you are starting out bad. THEN add in the fact that people like William Shakespeare and Walt Disney had to go and screw up everyone's perspectives on the perfect relationship- well we just aren't making progess are we? But I am trying to reform myself. I'm going through my own 12 step program to become a believer in true love.

Step 1: "Hello my name is Vanessa and I am a love hater"


Step 2: I decided to completely absorb myself in love. And in turn I will analyze the couples involved and obviously from doing this, love will make complete sense to me.
First up....

Oliver and Jenny

Not a fan.

Synopsis in a nutshell: He- is wealthy Harvard pre law "white bread"guy. She- is a free wheeling Italian-American music student. They- fall in love much to their parent's chagrin, fight, hurt each others feelings, they are still madly in love, she gets an unnamed disease which leads to her early death.

How depressing. Why does being in love always involve someone dying??? And the famous line "Love means never having to say you're sorry"- which is probably the worse advice ever given to someone...ever. Love means having the humility and respect for another to say you're sorry, even if you are not at fault. Love means having to say you're sorry, often and meaning it. So really all I learned from Ali and Ryan was that love is depressing (not doing so good here)

I was kind of not feeling the 70's either (what a terrible decade in history).

Next up....

Jack and Rose

Ok I'll admit it. I love this movie. I used to watch it like 3 times a day. My best friend Madison and I used to re-enact scenes from the movie. We got pretty into it. Sometimes I could even conjure up real tears during emotional scenes (thank you I'll take my Oscar now).

Synopsis in a Nutshell: She- is a wealthy engaged free spirit trapped in a world of people who don't understand her. He- is a poor traveling artist who won tickets on Titanic in a poker game They- fall in love much to her mother's chagrin (and her fiance's), unfortunately (SPOILER ALERT) the Titanic hits an iceberg and the ship sinks. He sacrifices himself for her, she sacrifices himself for him, they both end up stranded in the frigid Atlantic ocean which leads to his early death.

So what did I learn from this movie- well first of all the tagline made me laugh- "Nothing on earth could come between them"...oh except for an ICEBERG! But the thing that I did learn is that you should stay true to yourself. Don't be who everyone says you have to. Be strong and live the life you want even if your boyfriend ends up freezing to death. ( I think I'm making progress).

Moving on....

Romeo and Juliet

The couple that started it all. Synopsis in a Nutshell: He- is a wealthy guy who pines for a girl named Rosalind but sees the love of his life at a party in Verona, Italy. She- is a wealthy girl whose mother wants her to marry the handsome and rich Paris but sees the love of her life at a party in Verona, Italy. They- fall madly in love much to their parents chagrin, get married, their fueding parents come between them and they both end up accidently/on purpose killing themselves which obviously leads to (you guessed it), their early deaths.
I'm sensing a theme....
So what did I learn from this? Actually by this time I am very warmed up to the idea of love. And the setting of this movie is brilliant and the acting is so convincing I actually believe that they can't live without each other. I even cried. It really was beautiful. So I learned that sometimes love doesn't make sense. The one thing I have to say that I am still cynical about is how quickly they fell in love. Seriously Romeo? Weren't you just in love with Rosalind like 5 seconds ago? I wonder sometimes what it would have been like if they hadn't of died so young. Would they have stayed married? Would their parents ever have come around? Would they have had kids? Would the fact that he killed her cousin become a sore spot in their relationship for years to come? Something to think about.

This movie is not to be confused with

Yes this is an actual movie that I sat and watched for a full hour on Animal Planet (I don't even LIKE animals). Let me tell ya- if I wasn't a believer in love before this...I am now. This documentary is about a pair of Thai monkeys named Romeo and Juliet who fall in love. Problem is, the simians come from feuding groups: the temple monkeys and the market clan. Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, provides the narration, explaining the long-standing differences between the rival groups. Will the monkeys solve their differences or will the two groups from different sides of the track end up fighting each other to the death? Well you'll just have to watch and find out. (Don't judge me- there wasn't anything else on).

And our final couple.....

Edward and Bella

I have a love/hate relationship with Edward and Bella. I'm not sure why. Sometimes I just think they are so over-dramatic. But in my heart I really do love them.
Synopsis in a Nutshell: She is a awkward girl who moves to a rainy city and isn't a huge believer in love. He- is a vampire who thirsts for her blood (not exactly the best way to start a relationship). They- fall madly in love,much to their families chagrin, she wants to desperately be a vampire, her best friend is a werewolf which further complicates the situation, they fight off lot's of people that want to kill her, they live happily ever after.

Happily Ever After...now there is an ending you don't hear too often these days...which is probably what I took most from this couple. They represent hope and endurance. Hope that even though it scares you and others might not approve- you have to do it anyway with the hope that it will work out. They keep working at it even though it is difficult...but c'mon Edward is totally hot! How could you not want to work it out! So moral of this story is...stick it out, even though your boyfriend might be fighting the desire to suck your blood, it may work out in the end. Don't give up!

That is pretty much it. So I guess it is more of a 2 step program rather than 12. I'll add one more step.

#3: Take lessons I learned and practice them.

There we go. A 3 step program. I think that will suffice.

In conclusion I thought I would share with you some of my favorite "Love Songs"- I identify more with music than anything else so in case you weren't in the mood to fall in love after all these couples- you will after you listen to these songs....

Behind Your Eyes: Jon Foreman
Better With You: Five Times August
Cherish: Madonna
Come Dance With Me: Frank Sinatra
Crazy Love: Van Morrison
Everything: Michael Buble
Fearless: Taylor Swift
Feelings Show: Colbie Caillat
First Time: Lifehouse
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face: Roberta Flack (probably my absolute fav. song ever)
Fix You: Coldplay
For Once In My Life: Stevie Wonder
Halo: Beyonce
Hazy: Rosi Golan
Heaven: Bryan Adams
Hero/Heroine: Boys Like Girls
Hold You In My Arms: Ray LaMontagne
I'll Be There For You: Bon Jovi
I'm Yours: Jason Mraz
I've Been Loving You Too Long: Otis Redding
You're The Inspiration: Chicago
So Contagious: Acceptance
Stand By Me: Ben E. King
Somewhere Only We Know: Keane
Chasing Cars: Snow Patrol
The Scientist: Coldplay
Question: Old 97's
Open Arms: Journey
One and Only: Teitur
Last Request: Paolo Nutini
Look After You: The Fray
a Little More of You: Ashley Chambliss
If We Were a Movie: Hannah Montana (duh!)


"We all want to fall in love. Why? Because that experience makes us feel completely alive. Where every sense is heightened, every emotion is magnified, our everyday reality is shattered and we are flying into the heavens. It may only last a moment, an hour, an afternoon. But that doesn't diminish its value. Because we are left with memories that we treasure for the rest of our lives. "
-The Mirror Has Two Faces

New Year...New Hair

I cut all my hair off! It is taking me some getting used to...but I think I love it! AND as an added bonus it has cut about 20 minutes out of my getting ready!

Had a GREAT weekend hanging out with friends.
And the love of my life...


(Merlin...Becky and Eric's dog...he loves me)

I watched the Colts/Chargers game on Saturday...I don't want to talk about it. I have NEVER seen a game so one sided in my life. The officials decided who was going to win that one. That's all I will say about that. There's always next year right?


Hope everyone had a fabulous New Year!