Pop a la Mode

I was reading something earlier this week about all the people that go on Sesame Street even though the demographic (preschoolers) has no idea who they are. They go for the adults and because it’s awesome! If I was asked to be on Sesame Street, I would totally do it.

So I was tooling around YouTube and found this clip of Elmo and Andrea Bocelli at bedtime.

It made me think of my dad because the original version was dad’s favorite song for about five years. He had the CD and would turn it up to the loudest setting, lay on the couch with his eyes closed and cross his arms over his chest. He actually looked a little dead. But I guess he was just soaking it all in.

Here’s the original version in case you’ve never heard it. I can’t blame Dad - it’s gorgeous.

You’ll notice in the right sidebar that I’ve made a few upgrades to Pop a la Mode. I’ve added two sections: Currently Reading and Currently Listening To. I’m reading much more lately and I want to be able to share my library with all of you. And my music is always a bit eclectic so I’m throwing that in also.

If you click on the title of something you’re interested in, you’ll be taken to either a site that sells it for more information or the web site of that person. Warning: if it’s music, it may have sound.

I’m not promising I’ll update it all the time but as I read something new or find a new artist, I will share.

That all of you laughing at me getting in the dumpster, there is such a thing called “karma”. I hope it bites you all in the butt.

And an update from Karaoke Friday - I did do an okay rendition of “Midnight Train to Georgia.” The group that I was with said that I sounded good but they could be lying so I’m not sure what to believe. Because I really couldn’t hear it myself. I do know that one couple should have kept their “Summer Breeze” to themselves. I couldn’t tell if they were so drunk they thought they sounded great or just didn’t care.

I’m in Lansing, MI at the moment and will be headed back to the big Ham tomorrow (Wednesday). I’m not excited about returning to 100 degree heat. Today it was 72, overcast and actually chilly outside. It was so great. Maybe I need a summer home in Wisconsin and winter home in Alabama. Maybe I’ll work on that.

What a long, strange week it’s been. I had something to do every night this week. I didn’t get home until after 9 PM each night. That is so strange for me. I’m really not that popular.

And because it was Robyn’s birthday yesterday, I am going with her to a karaoke bar tonight. It’s her Sunday School class but it’s not an officially-sanctioned church function due to the fact that we are going to a bar. Supposedly it’s not a bad bar and I won’t reek of smoke when I leave. I’m pretty sure she only asked me to go because she knows I’ll sing and she’ll be off the hook.

So I’m trying to come up with my best options for tonight. I don’t want to stretch my vocal limits because I’d rather not make a fool of myself but I want to do some familiar songs. This is my list thus far:

Midinight Train to Georgia
Proud Mary
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Love Shack
One Fine Day
Reflections by Diana Ross and the Supremes

I’m taking suggestions. Please feel free to post below.

Vacation countdown is getting smaller and smaller! I’m so excited I’m just beside myself.

This week, I’ve been working on a beach playlist for my iPod that we can rig next to our pool. So far it includes:

The Beach Boys
Jan and Dean
Jimmy Buffett
Various Oldies from the 60s and 70s
Southern Rock including Skynrd, Allman Brothers, The Band

Any recommendations on items I’m missing?

After just watching a fast-forwarded version of the American Idol finale, I’m pretty sure that someone has been spying on my iPod over at Fox. Because every featured song and artist tonight can be found in my playlist. How many people can say that?

Proof:

Donna Summer - 70s queen sang Last Dance
George Michael - Faith and Father Figure? How awesome.
ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man
Graham Nash - Teach Your Children Well
Gladys Knight and the Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia (Best Song Ever!)
Bryan Adams - Summer of ‘69 and Heaven
Carrie Underwood - Last Name

Thankfully I do NOT have any Jonas Brothers on my iPod. I am not 13.

Short aside: Bryan Adams was my first musician crush that did not involve a boy band. New Kids on the Block does not count. I remember when the Robin Hood movie came out and that fabulous song “Everything I Do (I Do It for You)” was playing on the radio every ten minutes. Loved it. And if the video came on VH1, I was totally there. Mullet and all. Man I loved that song.

Sadly it was not sung tonight. But I still want to know who’s been spying on me. Because honestly, that’s a little creepy.

And David Cook won! Not the little hobbit-looking David Archuleta - who was very good but very young. And Cook is dreamy - I hope I never meet a rocker. I might have problems.

In honor of his win, David Cook singing the awesome U2 song “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”!