Top 10 Songs of 2011

I started putting together a list of the top 10 songs when I had so many singles that I loved, but I didn't necessarily love the whole album...That isn't the truth here...Many of these songs are coming from my top 10 CD post...I guess it doesn't matter because they are still some of my most favorite songs of this year.

There's no order to these choices...Just the order that I remembered them!  So, please enjoy...


1.) Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5
    I know that there are some who have never liked this song or are totally over it...And, well I'm close, to be honest, but this has been one of my most listened to songs this year!  I don't know if it was The Voice that made me love it or the overplay on the radio...but I have moves like Jagger.  Sample Lyric: Maybe it's hard when you feel like you're broken and scarred...Nothing feels right, but when you're with me...I'll make you believe that I've got the key...

2.) Perfect by Pink  (The video has some graphic parts, as a warning...and the song isn't censored.  But I absolutely love this video)
This song made me cry the first time I heard it...It is moving and beautiful and has become an anthem among those who have been made to feel less than perfect...If you haven't heard it yet, you really need to.  Sample Lyric: You're so mean when you talk about yourself, you were wrong...Change the voices in your head...Make them like you instead...

3.) Rolling in the Deep by Adele
This song was slow to catch on for me...I heard it several times but it hadn't yet caught on for me...It did always make me move...and then, I think I played it on repeat for an hour...It's a good sing along song!  Adele is going to make another (kind of 2) appearances on this list, so I would highly recommend checking her out!  Sample Lyric:  The scars of your love remind me of us...They keep me thinking that we almost had it all...The scars of your love, they leave me breathless...

4.) Rumor Has It/Someone Like You by Glee
When I heard that this was going to be a mashup on Glee, I really didn't think that it was going to work at all & I really wasn't looking forward to it all...But, then I saw the spoiler video & listened to it about a million times before the episode itself...And I'd be lying if I said I hadn't listened to it a million times since then!  I think that this might very well be my very favorite Glee performance of all time (so far).  Sample Lyric:  Bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds, you made a fool out of me & boy you're bringing me down...You made my heart melt, yet I'm cold to the core, but rumour has it, I'm the one you're leaving her for...

5.) Super Bass by Nicki Minaj
This was another catchy & dance-y number this year...Not something that I can blare at church, but it's been on constant rotation, especially when I need to get ready in the morning!  Sample Lyric:  Boy you got my heartbeat runnin' away...Beating like a drum and it's coming your way...Can't you hear that boom, badoom, boom, boom, badoon, boom bass...

6.) Candles by Hey Monday/Glee
I heard this song first on Glee (of course) and I loved the Warbler's touch to it....And who doesn't like a Klaine duet?  But hearing the original version was just as lovely!  I mean, it's a breakup song, but it's so poetic... Sample Lyric:  Blow the candles out...Looks like a solo tonight...I'm beginning to see the light...Blow the candles out...Looks like a solo tonight...But I think I'll be all right...

7.) Fix You by Coldplay
I know...this is an older one and most people are way over it...And I listened to it before, but I guess it hand't caught me like it did this year...Maybe it was the appearance on Glee that made me think of it all that much more...We used it in worship shortly after I saw it on Glee, maybe that was it?  I listened to it a million times?  But I do love this song very much...I'm sorry that I didn't listen to it while it was the new thing, but I'm glad I found it anyway!  Sample Lyric:  Lights will guide you home...And ignite your bones...And I will try to fix you...

8.) If I Die Young by The Band Perry
I did not want to like this song...I still find it a bit morbid & creepy...But it's also been on constant repeat on my iPod...It's a good song to sing along to and is in good range for me...Ugh, why do I like this song so much?  Sample Lyric:  Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother...She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh well...Life ain't always what you think if ought to be, no...Ain't even grey, but she buries her baby...

9.) Someone Like You by Adele
Technically this makes Adele's 3rd appearance on this list..I first fell in love with this song when Amber Riley put her version up on youtube...Honestly, both versions are incredible, but there's something about Adele's voice that is so pure and beautiful... I love Adele!  Sample Lyric:  I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited, but I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it...I'd hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded that for me it isn't over...


10.) Who Are You When I'm Not Looking by Blake Shelton
This isn't on Blake Shelton's CD, so I honestly don't know where I heard it for the first time...But it's a beautiful song and a good question to ask...Who are you when someone isn't looking?  Sample Lyric:  Do you break things when you get mad?  Eat a box of chocolate cause you're feeling bad?  Do you paint your toes cause you bite your nails?  And call up mama when all else fails? 

Top 10 CD's of 2011

It's that time of year again!  My top 10 lists!  I know, I know...you've been waiting with baited breath to see what I'll post, right?  Well, it doesn't matter to me...I liked this stuff!

So, my top 10 lists don't have to have been released in 2011, that's just when I found them and fell in love with them!  They are also in no real order-- just randomly when I remembered them!  So, these are the releases that have been on repeat on my iPod!

1.) 21 by Adele
This was the album that had constant rotation....Adele is the artist that I found myself belting out in the car, in the shower, washing the dishes...just about everywhere.  Let's talk about how much I love her.  I would absolutely love, love, love to see her life.  The performance she gave at the VMA's this year was pure star quality.  I hope that she recovers from her surgery quickly to be able to put out such amazing music again!  Songs to listen to: Someone Like You, Rolling in the Deep, Set Fire to the Rain

2.) The Long Surrender by Over the Rhine
I absolutely adore anything & everything that Over the Rhine puts out...This is no exception at all.  The smooth, gentle quality of the music is soothing & refreshing & the lyrics are thought-provoking and deep & challenging, yet strangely comfortable all at the same time.  This isn't my belting out music, but it's my go to in the office or when I'm reading or doing sermon prep.  Songs to Listen to: All My Favorite People, The Laugh of Recognition, Only God Can Save Us Now

3.) Femme Fetale by Britney Spears
If you had asked me 10 years ago how I felt about Britney, I would have gagged...I was NOT a fan...It was when she went crazy that I started to love her...Somewhat because I wanted her to succeed and then I also decided she wasn't as bad as I had once thought...I'm not a huge fan of dance/club music, and that's the majority of what this album is, but I have really liked it!  It's some good workout music (if I listened to music when I worked out!), and fun to sing to as well, of course... Songs to Listen to: Criminal, He About to Lose Me, Till the World Ends

4.) Glee
Ryan Murphy is a genius.  Let me just say that up front.  Although there have been some hits & misses with Glee this year story wise, the music is always stellar.  I am always nervous about their mashups, but then they turn out to be awesome.  The artists on Glee are all amazing singers and some need to be showcased a little bit more (which means some need to be showcased a little less...)  There have been very few songs that I haven't liked from Glee...Keep those hits coming!  Songs to Listen to: Rumor Has It/Someone Like You, Jolene, Hell to the No, Loser Like Me

5.) I Remember Me by Jennifer Hudson
When Jennifer Hudson was on American Idol, I was not her fan...I knew she was a talented singer, but I wasn't a fan...But she has pipes like nobody's business.  I'd like for her to get a bit more attention musically, but I'm also not positive that she has the mainstream appeal...But she's amazing.  Songs to Listen to: Where You At, Everybody Needs Love, I Remember Me

6.) Hands All Over by Maroon 5
I'm pretty sure it was the last release from Maroon 5 that I just didn't like...But then there was this little show called "The Voice" where I fell in love with Adam Levine...And then there was that little song by Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera called Moves Like Jagger and I was sold...I'm glad for all of those little things that reminded me that I do indeed like Maroon 5...maybe I should give the last release a try again?  Songs to Listen to: Moves Like Jagger, Stutter, Hands All Over

7.) Red River Blue by Blake Shelton 
Whenever my sister would talk about Blake Shelton, I would roll my eyes...I thought he was way too twangy and too country for me...But again, there was this little show called "The Voice"  where I saw Blake Shelton's personality and I started to like him as a human being...So, I gave his music another chance.  Even though Honey Bee was his single, I liked it, but I didn't love it...But it was catchy enough for me to listen to the whole album.  And I'm glad I did...The twang wore off for me & now, I'd like to catch up on my Blake Shelton library...one step at a time.... Songs to Listen to: God Gave Me You, Red River Blue, Drink on it

8.) Re:Creation by Steven Curtis Chapman
I didn't like Steven Curtis Chapman until later in his career, so many of these songs I had heard on the fringe or in a half listening kind of way...But when I finally did give his music a listen, I was surprised that I didn't find it all horribly offensive and I didn't mind the theology that was being shared...This release was created after the tragic death of his daughter & he said that he started to hear the songs in a different way.  I don't necessarily know some of these songs as the original version, but I love these versions... Songs to Listen to: Magnificent Obsession, Morning Has Broken, Heaven in the Real World

9.) 19 by Adele
I don't know how I didn't know about Adele when this was first released...I feel terrible!  But, I love her so much...This is another great release from her and while I was more addicted to 21, this one is definitely amazing too!  Songs to Listen to: Tired, Chasing Pavements, Hometown Glory

10.) Doo-Wops & Hooligans by Bruno Mars
This one was a surprise to me...I mean, I liked some of his singles, but I didn't expect to like the whole thing!  But I did!  A nice throw back, but not totally...I really dig it!  Songs to Listen to: Marry You, Grenade, Count On Me

I Resolve...

Well, it's getting close to that time of year again...The time when resolutions are thought about & made & created for the new year.

I've been thinking about them...I've got a pretty long list this year (so far) which I know isn't helpful...mostly because if it's too long, I definitely won't stick to them all.

So, I'm working on condensing them...and also working on how they're going to stick...

How do you keep your resolutions (or do you?)...do you call them something different?  Put them on your calendar?  Find a partner?

Christmas Paneradventure

Snarky Paneradventure (I was the snarky one): A couple women chewed out the cashier for saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"...I was sitting next to them as they had many conversations including one about Christmas morning...


"I can't believe our church is having services on Christmas morning...My husband has to hand out bulletins...Why don't they just cancel it? I mean really..."
Me (inserting myself into their conversation): "Yeah, I just hate it when Jesus gets in the way of Christmas....Merry Christmas, right?" (they took their things & left, calling me a Christian name on their way out.)

Paneradventure from kids

Life lessons from 3 year old Matthew this morning...
Me: "Matthew! How's life?"
Matthew: "Don't eat yellow snow....It's animal pee."
Me: "Oh! Thank you...Is that something you learned the hard way?"
Matthew: "You can eat the white snow if you want, ok?"
Me: "Good to know..."

Paneradventure at Starbucks

Behind some first time Starbucks customers...actual conversation with the cashier.
Man: what's the coolest drink you have?
Cashier: like a frozen drink? A frappucino?
Man: no, I'm trying to impress my grand kids...I need to come home with the coolest drink that you have and that I would actually drink.

A Gleeful Christmas

As many people know, I have an obsession with Glee...Some may call it an unhealthy obsession (I might even be one of those...)  I love the music, I follow the stories, I think about what's going to happen...Yeah, I might even call it an unhealthy obsession.

I look forward to every episode...I was looking forward to the Christmas episode, even though I knew it was just a filler episode and it wasn't going to move any of the storylines along at all.  But when I started to hear about one of the songs with the proceeds going to promote famine/hunger awareness & aid, I was pretty pumped...I was really glad that Glee was taking the opportunity to be prophetic in the middle of such a consumer driven holiday...I suppose my hopes were up too high.

This episode literally made me angry.  I wanted to punch Rachel Barry in the face an awful lot...It's a sad day when Sue Sylvester has more integrity than New Directions...I was just super annoyed with the selfish attitudes and just angry...I could hardly enjoy the show as a whole.  I knew that they were going to redeem themselves by the end of the episode, but that didn't seem to help anything.

So, let's talk about the story for a few minutes...I wonder if it's Ryan Murphy's intent to make me dislike the graduating seniors so that next year's cast gets a fresh start (because let's face it, he writes the show based around me & my preferences... clearly since Trouble Tones didn't win.)...While most of the characters stayed true to their character/stereotypes...This was just such an indulgent episode...Last year's Christmas episode, while not propelling any stories, also provided a sense of hope in the middle of disappointment.

I think that they could have done a lot more with the episode...They could have expanded more on the issues of homelessness & hunger & famine...They could have linked in with groups who donate things like pigs...give people a mission along with the message.  They could have spent more time talking with the folks who were homeless to recognize them as human beings... (Wasn't Sam almost homeless last year?).

The majority of the episode was music (which again, they are talented singers!), but it seemed less about sending a message than it was selling a product-- their CD (which as a confession, I have already bought).  Now, maybe it's my fault for having too high expectations...Maybe I shouldn't be surprised that a consumer driven show would be anything less than consumer driven...

I am glad for the moments that they included that offered more than fake 1950's Christmas cheer or diamond earrings...But I do wonder if dropping platitudes in actually does more harm than good.

It doesn't mean that I won't watch the show (nor that I won't have an unhealthy obsession)...But, this episode really disappointed me.

Paneradventure

Paneradventure-- little boy at the table next to me stole his sister's mac & cheese while she & mom were in the bathroom. He held & looked around for a couple minutes...set it on her chair, then ultimately put it back. As they were finishing eating, she offered it to him because she was full & he was not. "Ok, I have a confession...I was going to eat it all before you came back & pretend I didn't know what happened. But I didn't because I was afraid that Santa was watching...or worse yet, Jesus. And I just can't deal with that right now. But I will eat this."

Just Get Over It

I've been sick for the past month...It's gross...And annoying...And frustrating...And I just want to be over it.  I haven't been sick in quite awhile, so this is really the first time since I've moved here that I've been sick...that makes it almost 2 years.  (the last cold I had was the winter before I moved & just before I had surgery).  So, maybe I've just been building up to it and saving it for awhile?

Whatever happened...I just want this to be done.  I've been on antibiotics & other reactionary medications and I'm better...but not great.

Here's the other thing that's been happening.  I know what I'm supposed to be doing.  But I'm not. I know the advice that I'm supposed to be following, but I'm not.  I've adopted a "fake it till you make it" attitude...and I'm not so sure that's helpful when dealing with physical health issues.

I know that I should be getting more rest...But, it's the Advent season & there's way tons going on to prepare for & celebrate Christmas...So, I'm having a hard time slowing down.  And then when I do, I have to miss out on super fun things...(Why can't I miss meetings instead of parties?  boo...).

My workout schedule has been adjusted mostly because I just can't physically take it...Which then makes me angry & frustrated...and I often times push myself harder because I should just be better.  And I'm not...And pushing myself harder isn't helpful, it's actually helping to keep me sick longer.

So, I know all these things, right?  And I've told people these things, right?  But what am I doing? The same exact thing.

So maybe that wasn't so much of a rant as it was a whine...I'm just whining here folks, no big deal...

But it reminds me of Paul's letter to the Romans 7:15-20...

^"15I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ¹⁶Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. ¹⁸For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. ¹⁹For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. ²⁰Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me." (NRSV)


Have you ever acted this way before?  You what you are supposed to & not supposed to do, but you do whatever you know not to do anyway?  It's comforting to me to read parts of Scripture where people screw up or remind me that I don't have to be perfect (just working on it).  There are some things where there are no magic cures or pills to take, but it takes work, determination, and yes, sometimes even rest.

How are you taking time to listen during this busy season?  Or do you find yourself just pushing yourself to get over it/get through it?  Where is God in your journey?

paneradventure at Target

Things I would never let my children say to me (overheard at Target): 
Little Boy:"Hey Mom, I know why you're yelling at me to behave right now."
Mom: "Because I want you to behave?"
Little Boy: "No, it's because you're just jealous that I'm little & can go wherever I want & you're old and fat."

December Newsletter

Dear Friends,

                So…how many of you were out at midnight on Black Friday?  Or up early that morning to face the crowds & shop?  Maybe you were snuggled cozy in your slippers with your computer in front of you ordering deals through the web… As it has been every year for the past several years, my dad & I were out in the madness.  Now, I have to admit that I have a love-hate relationship with Black Friday.  I love spending time with my dad & shopping for insane deals, but I hate that this is the day that defines the start of the Advent & Christmas season….A day of materialism & consumerism & at times violence that I’m pretty sure would embarrass Jesus…all in the name of Christmas, the day that we celebrate Jesus’ birth.

                I think all of that as I stand in line in the cold with everyone else too… This year, as my dad & I stood in line in the cold waiting for the doors to open to a store, we had & overheard many conversations.  One that was particularly thought provoking for me was a group of college & high school students.  As they stood in line and laughed & joked with each other, suddenly one said… “I know!  Let’s pass the time by telling our favorite Bible stories!  I’ll start, mine is the wedding at Cana.”  Everyone chuckled & he told part of the story when one of his friends shook his head and said, “Wait a minute.  What does Jesus or the Bible have to do with us standing outside right now?”  And with that, they moved on to another topic.  At first, I was angry & sad by the question…but then I started to ask myself, “What does Jesus have to do with us standing in line right now?”

                Every year Americans spend around 450 billion dollars on Christmas gifts with most of that being put on credit cards or going into debt to buy gifts.  Can you imagine what would happen if we spent that 450 billion dollars not on sweaters that would be returned or DVDs that may never be watched or electronics that go out of date, but on gifts that helped people around the world?  Like medicine for a clinic in the Philippines or bed nets for children in Africa or building supplies for schools in Haiti?  There’s a catalog of alternative gifts to choose from available from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (www.umcor.org) . Maybe you could choose one of these gifts to give to your friends, families, or co-workers.  This year as we celebrate Jesus’ birth, why not give gifts that honor his birthday?   

                In this season of Advent, as we wait & prepare for God breaking into the world in the form of Jesus, may you discover hope, peace, love & joy in ways that catch you off guard.  May you discover relationships with family & friends that have blossomed & grown.  May you discover the ways that God has broken into your life.