day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere

"For The Morning" Alli Rogers.
Where am I?

I'm in my college dorm room, or anywhere at college, studying and just trying to make it through the night. It might be an all nighter, or just until 3am. It might be any subject, but chances are it's my psych classes, pushing through cognitive the neurobiology until I just can't anymore. It's black outside, no sounds except the turning of pages or creating of note cards.

It's also driving at night- in the rain. When my passenger is asleep, and there's nothing but the miles under my tires. When it just stretches on forever.

the song captures that desperation when I'm just waiting for the morning to get there.
a reminder that God's mercies are, indeed... new every morning. Praising God even when it's midnight.
That desperate plea for hope.

day 5: Songs that reminds you of People, and follow friday

I love memories. They are so important to human relationships. So I'm going to cheat and choose a few songs and the people they mean to me. I'm also trying to incorporate Follow Friday's (though technically published on Saturday...) into my blog... so this is a convenient way to do it. I decided to pick 5 songs that come up on my play count often who immediately seemed tagged to people .


3x5 (John Meyer): Jason Carr and my trip to Alaska. Jason made me two mix cd's for my 6,000 mile roadtrip. (One way, of course). This song really reminds me to make the most of every moment and not to try to capture everything. Some things... just can't be captured by photographs, or blogs, or even words of any kind. My roadtrip to Alaska was very much that way. This is just one way that he balances me, leads, and loves me.


There Can be Miracles (Prince of Egypt Soundtrack): Kiernan Schroeder and our singing adventures. We had hoped for a while to be able to sing this song as a duet. It would have been fantastic. She's a writer, soon to be a teacher in Colorado. She has literary insight that I lack in so many ways, her blog is so worth a check out.

One Life to live (33 Miles): Victoria Harper. A Christian country/rock band. Worth your time to check them out! In my senior year at college, I actually won tickets to see them in concert as they did a pro-life tour where all donations supported local pregnancy centers. Love the band. Victoria was supposed to go with me, but she has prior obligations, so I took her boyfriend, now husband. Her story is now the opposite of mine: originally living in San Diego, now living on a farm/ranch in the middle of Wyoming. Her blog is raw, honest, and real.

Baba O'Riley (The Who): Shannon Finn. My sister all throughout college! Polar opposites on most things, but a friendship born in the fires of difficulty. She was my kindred spirit through psychology and our Hillsdale journeys. We conquered tears, bad choices, lousy friends together. I love this girl so much! Recently she graduated from IVY LEAGE Penn University with her Masters in Criminology, and then decided to be a nanny in Ireland for the summer. Her adventures, and mishaps- are chronicled on her Wordpress. I think someday it will be a romantic comedy film :) From being mugged in the City of Brotherly Scary People (Philly) and to being hit on by a creepy cross dresser in an Irish pub, she writes vividly.  This song got us through many long study nights together, and will always be tied to her sassy, glamourous and stubborn personality :)

Seth is the dude on the right, and yes I'm in a wedding dress

Bittersweet Symphony (The Verve): Seth Twomey. This guy and I skipped so many classes together. We both joked about how it was bad. He eventually failed a lot of classes and then went to another school and is doing awesome! I managed decent grades and tried to have more self-control. But I have so many amazing, spontaneous memories. This song was always one of our favorites for our random road trips.

day 04 - a song that makes you sad

Song Challenge: A Song that makes me Sad.

What is more sorrowful than to see suffering, and to see false hope offered? 

 "Sing for the Moment" Eminem. 


This is a song I can't recommend you listen to, mainly because of the language content. I found it in a time in my life when language in music didn't bother me that much, which I'm finding I can't say anymore.


But I'll stand by my assessment of the accuracy of this songs lyrics. I may not have a ton of respect for Eminem, but I will say that I have no doubt that he loves Detroit, will work for that city to be great again, and that he has a great amount of musical talent, especially lyrically. 


It's a song about brokenness. About inner city kids struggling to have hope, and not sure who or what to turn to. How being a rapper is a business while also finding that he's an idol for these kids who have nothing else to cling to but knowing someone got out- someone could do it. 

I guess words ..... they can be great

Or they can degrade, or even worse they can teach hate

It's like these kids hang on every single statement we make

Like they worship us, plus all the stores ship us platinum

Now how the **** did this metamorphosis happen

From standin' on corners and porches just rappin'

To havin' a fortune, no more kissin' ***

They think there's nothing in their future. This song, more than many others, captures the essence of despair of not having hope.  It's  the American dream that happened for someone, but probably... not for them.

Only this gun, lonely cause don't anyone know me 

It's about music being part of your soul. About channeling some of the anguish, hurt, intense anger- all things that arise in broken homes. About not being able to trust anyone. About no one trusting you. 

He's a problem child

And what bothers him all comes out

when he talks about his ******' dad walkin' out

Cause he just hates him so bad that he blocks him out

If he ever saw him again he'd probably knock him out

About waiting for something to push one over the edge, and just wondering when. 


About the absence of peace. Entirely. 

In the land of the killers, a sinner's mind is a sanctum 

It's also about responsibility- and attacks from the media holding rappers responsible for the violence in 
youth. Personally, I think there's both sides to that coin. But I won't argue with Eminem when he says

They say music can alter moods and talk to you
Well can it load a gun up for you , and cock it too
Well if it can, then the next time you assault a dude
Just tell the judge it was my fault and i'll get sued
See what these kids do is hear about us totin' pistols
And they want to get one cause they think the ***** cool
Not knowin' we really just protectin' ourselves, we entertainers
Of course the ***** affectin' our sales, you ignoramus
But music is reflection of self, we just explain it, and then we get our
checks in the mail

The song concludes with Eminem talking about why his influence is important- so those kids can see that someone did get out. That it's possible. That dreams can enter reality, and that their future isn't necessarily just like their present. 


That there's hope. 

That's why we sing for these kids, who don't have a thing

Except for a dream, and a *****' rap magazine

Who post pin-up pictures on their walls all day long

Idolize they favorite rappers and know all they songs

Or for anyone who's ever been through **** in their lives

Till they sit and they cry at night wishin' they'd die

Till they throw on a rap record and they sit, and they vibe

We're nothin' to you but we're the ******' **** in they eyes

That's why we seize the moment try to freeze it and own it, 

squeeze it and hold it

Cause we consider these minutes golden

And maybe they'll admit it when we're goneJust let our spirits live on,

 through our lyrics that you hear in our

songs and we can...  

So I give Eminem credit where credit is due. 

He writes with vibrance, shocking honesty, and he certainly knows how to reach people. He has a passion and energy for his city that I think is inspiring. He's not the only one. A good friend of mine, Dean, also has a passion for Detroit. Check out his journeys to providing real hope to Detroit here.  

Too bad Eminem's wishes are a waste. This song to me, will always represent the tragedy of the lost world. It's the perfect reminder of where we would be without Jesus Christ's sacrifice, and I think that's a perspective worth having (not that you should listen to the song to achieve that). 

There can be no hope without a Savior.  So this song makes me sad because it reminds me of how many young people are lost, hurt, angry, betrayed, and haven't turned to the Shepherd, the Healer, the Judge, and the Faithful, Almighty God. 

Day 3: A song that makes you happy

Day 3: a song that makes me happy... 

There's a lot of them out there. A song for each mood actually. About (ages ago) I think a month? I endeavored to make mix cd's for whomever requested them first on my twitter and facebook pages (see, it's totally worth following my antics). I've since actually made progress, I promise to those waiting eagerly. There's so much music out there! So many songs that have touched my memory in specific ways, tied to experiences. 

This song is one that makes me happy, but I don't think I'd like it much if not for the lyrics. They are so true, so powerfully packed with things I need to constantly remember. That's what strikes me. And maybe happy is a misleading word, as so much thankfulness and awe at ou Savior. 

The question was raised
As my conscience fell
A silly, little lie
It didn't mean much
But it lingers still
In the corners of my mind

Still you call me to walk
On the edge of this world
To spread my dreams and fly
But the future's so far
My heart is so frail
I think I'd rather stay inside

But You love me anyway
It's like nothing in life that I've ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me
How You love me

It took more than my strength
To simply be still
To seek but never find
All the reasons we change
The reasons I doubt
And why do loved ones have to die?

But You love me anyway
It's like nothing in life that I've ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me

I am the thorn in Your crown But You love me anyway I am the sweat from Your brow But You love me anyway I am the nail in Your wrist But You love me anyway I am Judas' kiss But You love me anyway

See now, I am the man that called out from the crowd
For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking ground
Yes then, I turned away with this smile on my face
With this sin in my heart tried to bury Your grace
And then alone in the night, I still called out for You
So ashamed of my life, my life, my life

But You love me anyway
Oh, God… how you love me

You love me anyway
It's like nothing in life that I've ever known
You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me

day 02 - your least favorite song

This is much easier than picking a favorite. 

I'd have to say that the first song that comes to my head... though many qualify, might be the "Hillsdale College Anthem." Sorry DJ $crilla... I just can't embrace this. Though I'll admit I had a good time when you came and played at the college. 

and just in case you needed a refresher on those lyrics... 

[Chorus]
I’m At Da’ Hill…. [I’m At Da’ Hill…]
I’m At Da’ Hill…. [I’m At Da’ Hill…]
I’m At Da’ Hilllllllllll…..
I’m At Da’ Hill…. [I’m At Da’ Hill…]
You know the deal….They do it real….
Just stop and chill…….And what you’ hear?!?!
I’m Hillsdale [I’m Hillsdale…]
You Hillsdale [You Hillsdale…]
I’m Hillsdale [I’m Hillsdale…]
We’re Hillsdale [We’re Hillsdale…]

Yeah, and they’ll get it popping’/ Keeping it 100, When they’re coming, you can’t stop it/
Nobody here can top ‘em/ For real, yeah, Hillsdale – I think we’ve got a problem/

[Verse 1]

Y’all think I do it for the heck of it…/
Don’t confuse it, I do it for schools that go and represent/
And nah It ain’t a lie, I’ll be clear when I mention/
Pi Beta Phi brought this here to my attention/
I’m seeking out some feelers, While reaching out to twitters…/
Trending I got me some jitters, I’m drinking on some Jitters/
Then I hit up Checker Records, I’m checking for my record/
DJ $crilla – ME MYSELF & I – Better check and get it/
I just ask that, you can pass that, to all the “Mac Shack”/
And blast that -- so alum can come and have a flashback/
About they’re old residence, I’m talking Old’s Residence/
The home of first timers, and I’m just being honest/

[Verse 2]

Bout to hit the Garden Party, or maybe Otter’s Army/
Cause the Chargers bring is harder than the throttles on Bugatti’s/
It’s a problem, and you probably, Should dodge ‘em if you shoddy/
Cause we’ll drop ‘em, ain’t no topping’ from a Charger who named Charlie/
And Kappa’s are my medicine…/
Sigma Chi and Delt Sig can attest to all my evidence/
If I need some charm help, then you know I better get/
Penny Arn, like the Delt's, cause they’re discussing etiquette/
And the ATO’s -- Where the ladies go, for sho’, and that’s so evident/
Call me when y’all go and ball at the President’s/
No matter what house you in or your tenements/
Greek Week, Greek’s be fly, they get higher than a Pegasus/

[Verse 3]

Meet me at the clock tower, at the hour 10:18/
It’ll be me & - S.A.B. / Getting down, and yes it be…/
A central calling for you to, Bring ‘em all in the view of/
Getting down with the DJ sound at Centralhallapalooza/
See we run it like a track meet, Where none of them are faculty/
We could hit up “Pimpson”, I mean Simpson with the athletes/
I hear ‘em talking like it’s dinner time…/
Ain’t no shame your walk, when walking to the Finishline/

Day 1: Favorite song

What an infinitely silly question. To pick a favorite of so many choices is impossible. 
So I'll tell you the one that I've been listening to a ton lately, and every time I hear it, my response is the same: exuberant joy and thankfulness. 
Christ is Risen from the Dead: Matt Maher


O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night

Sing it, o death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead, He's alive, He's alive

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

30 day song challenge.

Contrary to the idea that this might be solely fun... which of course, it is fun, I think this could have some value. There's always something good about pausing, retrospection... seeing where your life has been and where you hope it will be by the grace of God. 

That said, I blame Jenny Buehrer for inspiring me to do this latest 30 day challenge. I do not have any plans to complete it in 30 days. 

where most of my memories with music are made: the road

day 01 - your favorite song

day 02 - your least favorite song

day 03 - a song that makes you happy 

day 04 - a song that makes you sad

day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone

day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere

day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event 

day 08 - a song that you know all the words to

day 09 - a song that you can dance to

day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep 

day 11 - a song from your favorite band 

day 12 - a song from a band you hate 

day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure 

day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love 

day 15 - a song that describes you 

day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate 

day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio

day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio

day 19 - a song from your favorite album

day 20 - a song that you listen to when you’re angry 

day 21 - a song that you listen to when you’re happy

day 22 - a song that you listen to when you’re sad

day 23 - a song that you want to play at your wedding

day 24 - a song that you want to play at your funeral

day 25 - a song that makes you laugh

day 26 - a song that you can play on an instrument

day 27 - a song that you wish you could play

day 28 - a song that makes you feel guilty

day 29 - a song from your childhood 

day 30 - your favorite song at this time last year

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.

This one was really hard. It's seems the music I listen to changes a ton. Yet... these guys, as well as Jon Foreman have always had a very, large place on my playlists. I've seen them in concert probably 12-15 times. 


Yep, I love me some Switchfoot.