JohnA lifeBlog

Has Anyone Seen My Pants?

Here’s an entry from the “It’s not a rerun if it’s new to me!” department.

On his site Songs to wear pants to, Andrew creates completely original songs based on requests from his reader.

There are some REALLY awesome entries. Here are two of my favorite:

1. It’s Too Loud - For this song, the original request was “You should write a song in your least favourite genre about why you dont that particular genre.”
2. YMCA Muzak - The reader requested a cheesy 1970’s style Muzak version of YMCA

Some of them are hilarious, some are cheesy and awful (especially when the request was also correspondingly cheesy and awful), and some are downright awesome.

I’ll leave you with Guitar, a track inspired by the reader’s request for a “superhero” theme to capture the viewers interest.

Happy New Year! I’ll have some sort of “2005 In Short” post tomorrow or Monday.

When I was your age…

I’ve been actively blogging since March 8, 2003.

So, if you plan on calling me a blog newbie, at least be sure that you started blogging before I did.

I’ve a flood of emotions to share, but right now, let this suffice. I know what I am doing with my blog. I share the good with the bad. I share the joy and the pain. Why?

Because that is what reality is.

Capsule Reviews By JohnA

I’ve finally decided to take advantage of the fact that I now live 2 blocks away from the movie theater.

I wish I could say that the reason was because I was longing for the silver screen, but the truth is that yesterday morning I was out of Diet Pepsi, and everything was closed, so I figured I could go to the movies, buy a 44 gallon “economy size” soda and see a movie.

Yesterday’s choice was King Kong, which I am pleased to report does in fact meet and even exceed the hype that’s been in the media.

The special effects are brilliant, on par with Revenge of the Sith, but the difference between director Peter Jackson’s film and marketing manager George Lucas’ is the depth in which the characters are shown. The climax of King Kong makes you tear up, while the climax of Sith makes you go “Oooh! Shiny!” King Kong offers something for everyone, but beware that it’s not exactly kid friendly.

Tonight’s choice was Walk The Line, the Johnny Cash biopic. Bottom line is that Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon are shoo-ins for Best Actor & Best Actress Oscar noms, and the academy will have a difficult choice between Reese Witherspoon & Keira Knightley.

The thing that made Walk The Line unique is that it doesn’t sugar coat its subject. Many biopics seem to be nothing more than a nostalgic “greatest hits” album. Walk the Line shows the demons that tormented Cash throughout his early career.

So, in short, get out and see both movies. Just be prepared for bathroom breaks… Kong is 3+ hours, and Walk the Line is 2 hours 15 minutes.

It’s the same old Christmas Eve…

… and I like it, I like it that way.

Yes, the lyrics are from Hilary Duff’s Christmas Album, but that’s how I feel.

Oh well, at least I don’t have to deal with this again for another 365 days.

I love Christmas…

…just not this one. It’s the first Christmas I’ve spent alone, well, ever.

So, I’m having a glass (or few) of holiday cheer, and watching these movies, in this order:

1. A Christmas Story
2. Elf
3. Scrooged Can’t find my copy, so I’ve replaced this entry with Toys
4. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch stole Christmas (This was based on Melanie’s suggestion)
5. Love, Actually
6. A Charlie Brown Christmas (time permitting)

I’ve just started Elf, so I have a few shows to go. Guess I shouldn’t complain.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

A Strange Place, Indeed…

A few hours ago, I received quite a nice surprise. A cryptic instant message from Jonathan saying that I would have a surprise visit in about an hour.

Okay, so, I’m used to Jonathan and his secrecy. I mean, he could be an Apple employee… he’s that good.

Anyway, Jonathan & Loyd walk in carrying a huge box that ends up containing a new dishwasher.

Yep, Jonathan, Loyd, and one of our larger merchants (seriously) chipped in to buy me a new dishwasher! I’ve taken a picture of it lovingly placed alongside my super-cool stainless steel refrigerator.

It’s super cool… we didn’t have one of the tools we needed to fully install it, but I am excited. That was the last appliance that I needed to purchase, so now we move on to IKEA land!

Thanks again, Jonathan, Loyd, and Andrew!!!

The gift that keeps on giving…

In this time of holiday sharing, please consider donating to the WikiMedia foundation. With your help, every single world citizen will have access to the fundamentals of our collective intelligence. I gave $25, but I wish it could be more.

Not interested in this charity? Then check out Child’s Play… I gave them $25 as well.
Bottom line? Tis the season to help those who cannot help themselves. I’m proud to participate in helping those who may not see the reason for the season.

Oh, and I do this so that I can wish everyone a “MERRY CHRISTMAS”…

A Christmas Gift?

Normally I don’t cross post from myspace to my blog, but in this case, I’ll make an exception.

Fill this out, and sent it to me at johna@johna.org, and I’ll reply with my answers.

01. Who are you, what’s our relationship?:
02. How and where did we meet?:
03. What’s my middle name?:
04. How long have you known me?:
05. Tell me one good thing about myself?:
06. When you first saw me, what was your impression?:
07. My age:
08. Birthday:
09. My favorite band at the moment:
10. Colour eyes:
11. Do I have any siblings?:
12. Have you ever had a crush on me?:
13. What’s one of my favorite things to do?:
14. Do you remember one of the 1st things I said to you?:
15. Describe me in 3 words:
16. Name 5 things I love:
17. Do you think I’m good looking?:
18. How would you describe me to someone?:
19. Would you ever date me?:
20. Tell me one thing you’ve always wanted to say but never did:
21: What do you like most about me?:
22: If we could spend a day together, what would we do?:
23: Have we ever gotten in a fight?:
24: Do you think we will be friends for at least 3 or 4 more years?:
25. Give me a nickname and explain why you picked it:
26. What do you think my weakness is?:
27. Do you think I’ll get married?:
28. What makes me happy?:
29. What makes me sad?:
30. What reminds you of me?:
31. If you could give me anything, what would it be?:
32. When’s the last time you saw me?:
33. Do you think our friendship is getting stronger/weaker/or staying the same?:
34. Do you feel that you could talk to me about anything and I would listen?:
35. Are you going to repost this and see what I say about you?:
36. If I was an ice cream flavor which would I be and why?:
37. What song (if any) reminds you of me?:
38. If you could change one thing about me, what would it be?:
39. Would you make a move on me?:
40. Do I cross your mind at least 1 time a day?:

Listen now!

I’LL GO WITH YOU (Con te Partiro-English Translation)
(E. Sartori - L.Quarantotto)

When I’m alone
I dream on the horizon
And words fail
Yes, I know there is no light
In a room where the sun is absent
If you are not with me
At the windows
Show everyone my heart
Which you set alight
Enclose within me
The light you
Encountered on the street

I’ll go with you
To countries I never
Saw and shared with you
Now, yes, I shall experience them
I’ll go with you
On ships across seas
Which, I know,
No, no, exist no longer
With you I shall experience them

When you are far away
I dream on the horizon
And words fail
And yes, I know
That you are with me
You, my moon, are here with me
My sun, you are here with me

I’ll go with you
To countries I never
Saw and shared with you
Now, yes, I shall experience them
I’ll go with you
On ships across seas
Which, I know,
No, no, exist no longer
With you I shall experience them again
I’ll go with you
On ships across seas
Which, I know,
No, no, exist no longer
With you I shall experience them again
I’ll go with you
I with you

Snoopy Not Withstanding…

With all due respect to Anne and her reference to fuckchristmas.org, I love CHRISTMAS. I don’t love the holiday season. I don’t wish people seasons greetings. I dont say Happy Kwannza. I do wish my Jewish friends Happy Chanukah. But the point is this.

I love the CHRISTMAS season. I love the carols, I love the egg nog, I love A Christmas Story, but most of all, I love Linus’ Christmas Monologue.

Regardless of your politically correct leanings, this time of year is important for the very reasons Linus shares each year. There is no love compared to what Linus shares.

Merry Christmas to you all. If that offends you, sorry. But to me, I look forward to this season as a gentle reminder of the love offered by my savior whose birth is celebrated late this month.