Friday Five

1. I just dropped off my Tahoe to get looked at/worked on. She's been running funny for a while and the brakes are squeaky. I probably won't get her back until MONDAY which means I'll be wheel dependent all weekend. Odd feeling.

2. YA author Joy Preble interviewed me for her blog (along with some other fab Texas bloggers), so if you haven't seen it, check it out HERE!

3. My WIP is finally approaching the end of that tunnel... you know, where the light is coming from? I hit 72,000 words yesterday (EEEEK!!!) with at least five known chapters left to go, so it's safe to say I'm going to be quite scissor happy during revisions. Easier to cut than to add though!

4.  I was hoping for a winter this year, but it's been warm the past month and I'm sneezing like it's allergy season. The wildflowers are already popping up all over town too. It's FEBRUARY, WHAT THE WHAT?

5. I have The Hunger Games fever. The new trailer has reminded me I want to read the first book again before the movie comes out NEXT MONTH!! It's getting closer! Who's ready?! The first trailer had a ROCKING song which you can listen to HERE. It only took me forever to track it down. haha. Too bad those people aren't doing the music for the movie. I lurve it.

How our Playlists are Built. Or What I'm Listening To and Why

Music is EVERYWHERE! Inside our cars, in stores, when we're on hold, in movies, on television... it's coming out of my computer right now! The other day, I was remembering how I came across my all-time favorite band, Switchfoot.

It's the most random of stories, but I'm thankful for it, as it's literally changed my life... and my shoes.

I was still in high school, watching a cheesy Disney movie called Model Behavior about a girl who ran into someone that looked just like her and they switched places. It had Justin Timberlake in it, so of course I watched it. Being the music nut that I am, this song came on in the movie and I fell for it. Forget Justin, forget everything but this song. I hopped online and researched the soundtrack (this was before iTunes) and found out the band's name was Switchfoot, the song: Let That Be Enough. Then I stumbled across their CD in a bookstore and I remembered that was the same band. I bought it and quickly became OBSESSED. I shared it with my parents, and they became equally obsessed. Together we've watched this band put out five MORE albums (seven altogether.. I think), loving each one even more. Their concerts are family bonding time, I tell you.

So, that's my big story about how I became an accidental Switchfoot fan. Here are some flash stories about why I'm listening to some other great artists you may love too!

Mindy Gledhill - Anchor

The song Anchor was on an episode of Bones and I fell in love with it. After previewing the album snippets on iTunes I knew I had to have the whole thing. It's such a great addition to my playlist!

Stacy Clark - Connect the Dots

I SHAZAM'd her song Touch & Go in a store at the outlet mall. The whole album is golden. Thank God for phone apps! :)

Erin McCarley - Love, Save the Empty

iTunes suggested this because I bought Stacy Clark's Connect the Dots. They were so right! I LOVE it!

The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow

I don't make a habit out of watching the country music video channel, but out at the lake, it's pretty much the only channel that works. When I was there almost a year ago, this amazing song called Barton Hollow came up, and I googled the band on my phone. Turns out, this duo is one half Joy Williams, and I was a fan of hers from WAY back. I'm an even bigger fan now. These two are amazing. Check out their Christmas songs too. WOW.

Jem - Finally Woken

When I worked in a cubicle a couple years ago, I often traded iPods with the guy that faced me (we used our OWN earbuds, don't worry!), and this album was on his. I still love it... even though it makes me picture sitting in a cubicle sometimes. hahaha. 

SINGLES:

Riverside by Agnes Obel

This song was on an episode of Revenge. It's gorgeous.

Trouble is a Friend by Lenka

From the movie Easy A. Such a fun song.

Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Glee

Did anyone else fall in love with Finn's rendition of this song? It's the way Greg Laswell sings it, as heard in the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic. I don't know what it is... but I LOVE this version.

Last but not least, the song getting the most love on my playlist right now is:

Safe & Sound by Taylor Swift featuring The Civil Wars

It's such a sweet song, and it makes me think of the relationship between Katniss and Prim.

So that's it for this edition. I hope I've introduced you to some new music!

Have you randomly run across your favorite songs too? How? And what are they?

Who's Ready for The Hunger Games Movies?

Well, I've got to say I'm super impressed with the trailer to The Hunger Games. I'm a little surprised they've released such a large trailer already when we have SO LONG TO WAIT, but it's nice to get a taste.

Anyone else tear up just a TINY bit and shiver with goosebumps when Katniss yells, "I VOLUNTEER! I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!"?

Holy Moses, my nerves are settled about many things now. I think they've worked very hard to do the books justice. Sure, there will be differences--there always are--but in my opinion, this looks fantastic.



And I may or may not have watched it a few extra times just to hear the music again. Already love it.

Happy Mockingjay Day!!

Borders sent me a lovely 50% off Mockingjay coupon today, so I picked that up, along with a sweet Mockingjay keychain!!!

I'm only on chapter 10 so far, but wowza... there are so many directions this could go! I want to stay up all night and read it, but I also don't want it to end.  I'll try to space it out over the next few days...

Who am I kidding? I'm sure I'll have it finished by tomorrow night.  Blasted work, always in the way!!

(One more month from today and I am free of the cubicle!!!)

The Hunger Games 3 - Title, Release Date and Cover!

I can't even begin to tell y'all how anxious I am for this book to come out!

August 24, 2010

OOOO so purty!

What depresses me though, is the teeeeeny tiny writing on the very top that says:

THE FINAL BOOK OF THE HUNGER GAMES

For all that we're excited to know how it will end, it will be a sad day when we can't look forward to it anymore.

Is there another series that got you thirsting for more quite like this one? If there is, please share, because I'm on the hunt. I think we'll all need something to focus on, post-Hunger Games.