bring may flowers.

Hey, doesn’t that title sound a little like a British person when you say it out-loud? That wasn’t the intention, but it’s working.

Well, it sure is nice to see you back here on the blog. You know it usually takes me half a page to give a proper hello, but I’m going to bypass my innate want to tell you over-and-over how much I like you coming on over to read these posts because we have much to talk about:

May is quickly approaching, and I don’t feel bad about pulling a jump-ahead over the month of April. Why? Because great things are going to happen in May, people. And that’s what we’re going to discuss:

Okay, first and foremost, there are going to be ridiculous amounts of good things happening in the incandescent world of music. To make sure I get them all in, we’re going to make a chronological list of what’s going to happen, along with some other things happening this May of 2010. Most of them are on here so that I’ll do a good job of keeping-up with things:

1 May
Things to remember:
Seriously think about starting to study for final exams.

2 May
Things to remember:
Okay, now really start studying for exams. Really.

3 May
Events:
Birthday Eve
Things to remember:
Learn everything humanly possible, well, sort-of, about: the history of paintin’ and the good people who did it, the minds who talked and what they said, communicating with the masses, the discouragement of holy matrimony.

4 May
Albums:
Broken Social Scene “Forgiveness Rock Record”
New Pornographers “Together”
Events:
Turn 20, but don’t celebrate too much, on account of: 1. Art History Exam 2. Philosophy Exam 3. Speech Final 4. Marriage & Family (yes, the class is just as the title states) Exam. And THEN, cram stuff about Anatomy for exam the next day. Pretty sure the universe is saying: “happy (insert explicit word that begins with ‘f’ , and tack an ‘ing’ right there on the end) birthday.”
Things to remember (this one’s for you, good reader):
Send help and bring balloons.

5 May
Events:
Cinco De Mayo
Anatomy Final
Things to remember:
Send more help and bring tacos.

[jump-on-ahead to the 8th of May]

8 May
Events:
Betty White hosts SNL with the musical sounds of Jay-Z, and I couldn’t have even imagined a more-perfect match-up.

[we’re skipping a few days, but that sure-as-hell ain’t to say that nothing exciting won’t happen between Saturday night and May 11th]

11 May
Albums:
Kaskade “Dynasty”
Keane “Night Train”
The National “High Violet”
Sleigh Bells “Treats”
Woods “At Echo Lake”

WAIT, did you hear me? I said HIGH VIOLET. That’s right, I know we’ve waited for what’s felt like forever, but we’ll finally be able to hold The National’s new album right here in our hands. AND, they’re already streaming it. And I’d like to take this moment to thank the good people over at the NY Times for doing so. Not only was I super-exited to listen-on-in, but there is also some good reading to be had by all, but I stopped somewhere around the third page. Don’t worry, though. I plan on reading it all tonight. Anyhow, I want you to be able to experience it, so here’s the link. You’re welcome:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/magazine/25national-t.html?pagewanted=1

let’s talk about it for a little bit:
Alright, that first song is going to blow your mind, but you’ll have to sew it back up, because it’s just gonna keep on happening. All of the songs are completely boss, but I’d just like to state that the song called “England” has got to be a shout-out to Manheim Steamroller. Trust me, you’ll hear it, and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Also, “Lemonworld” is just flat-out great, and so is everything else. I can’t get enough of it. Make a date with that article, click that playlist on the left, and don’t ever stop listening. I am being completely serious. Especially that last song. Gees.

[skipping ahead again]

18 May
Albums:
Band of Horses “Infinite Arms”
The Black Keys “Brothers”
LCD Sound system “This Is Happening”

[skip almost ten days, but not quite]

27 May
Sex and the City Two will be playing in a theater near you. That rhymed, and I am super-excited about it.

Okay, those were the important things going to happen in May, among many others that you’ll just have to see about on your own. Also, I have lots o’ friends who have birthdays in this great month, and know that those are definitely on my calendar, because birthdays are super-important. Plus, that means that lots of my people are fellow members of the Taurus segment of Astrology. IDEA! I am totally going to write a post all about Astrology, because it blows my mind. Really. It’s so neat-o.

Wait, there’s more: I also just purchased some books. I am so excited to read some things that I actually went out and found on my own. And, as I was standing in line, I was just getting so excited about the four books I had. And about the Bicycle Eco-Friendly deck of cards. And the two bookmarks I bought that look like little Oriental rugs. And the little Yankee Candle thing that hangs around for your car that smells like sunscreen and good times. But then, the girl who was behind the counter ruined it all.

[the following is a slightly long story. I can understand if you just want to bypass it, but I feel like it’s important for me to share it with you. If it pleases you to do so, continue on, and know that I will like you even more for doing so]

She was so obnoxious. I mean, really. She had quite possibly the highest, most nasal-ish, voice I have ever had the displeasure of listening to. And I felt sorry for her. I thought, “man, that’s got to be rough to have that voice,” but then she really started to talk. And she went through that whole song-and-dance of getting some piece of plastic card with the store name stamped on it, and I just sort of told her that I wasn’t really interested.

But she wouldn’t stop. And she was getting smart, and really, she was getting rude. I tried to be funny and alleviate the awkward situation, what with her giving me these dirty looks, and all. I told her that it was a good sales pitch, but she said it obviously wasn’t good enough. And I laughed. But she didn’t. She was honestly mad at me. And she started crunching numbers and telling me, in that awful voice she had, that I could have saved seven dollars. Wow. And then she said that I could I have nearly paid for half of the cost of the card in just one visit.

And she asked me if I shopped there often. And I said, “I guess so.” Clearly, that wasn’t good enough for her. She almost asked it as if I was illiterate. I know that sounds like I was reading (haha, pun definitely intended) too far into it, but you just had to hear the way she said it. And then I said that, really, you shouldn’t be all that frequent of a shopper in a bookstore. I mean, at some point, you actually go home and read the damn things.

Well, she kept on going. And she just kept on, and it really takes a good lot for me to get honestly ticked off at people, but holy smokes, I was there.

And then I said that I would gladly pay her the seven dollars that I could have saved, just to shut her the hell up. No, I didn’t really say that, but I did say it in my head. I’m good at maintaining my composure, and keepin’ it classy. And I guess that’s why I missed her saying that I didn’t have to fill out my check, because she was just going to give it right back. Which, that whole new situation makes me feel uncomfortable. I don’t want it back. That’s why I gave it to you.

Anyway, when I kept on filling it out, I can’t remember now exactly what she said, but I can remember that is was awfully snarky, but not in a good way. Snarky can be good. I always enjoy a snarky sense of humor, but she wasn’t being funny. Anyhow, a friend was most certainly not made that day, but I do have the books, and the cards, and the bookmarks, and the scented cardboard. And they are happily home safe with me and glad to be far-far-away from the girl who works behind the cash register. Also, if you should visit the Books-A-Million store, in this fair town of Kingsport, keep an eye out for her. Better yet, keep an ear out, because I was honestly partially deaf for at least twenty minutes.

At any rate, I sure am looking forward to reading those books and don’t worry. I’ll be sure to tell you all about them. Also, I put the little cardboard scented thing on the dashboard and I put my cell phone right there with it, and now, my phone has the scent like that of a new Cabbage Patch Kid. Epic win.

[okay, story’s over]

Also, one more thing. Before we get too pumped about May, let’s talk a little April, just out of common-courtesy to the current month: April does mean showers, but most importantly, it means prom. I’m not going to explain it all here, but just know that I have a video of E. Byerley that is hands-down, one of the most hilarious things you and me both will ever see. I can’t put it on here, by way of my phone, cause it’s too long, but if you should see me out, you just ask. And I will gladly show it to you.

Alright, my friends, now that you have so many good things to look forward to, this post has now reached its end. I know that makes you sad, but here’s two more things to look forward to, coming in the new month of May: flowers and new posts. Well, that seemed more exciting before I actually typed it.

Anyhow, May is going to be legendary, I am sure of it. So, mark those important events on your dry-erase calendars and let’s get excited.

And don’t stop thinkin’ about tomorrow, cause June will soon be here. And guess what that means? That’s right. Come June 1st, Clay Aiken’s new album is gonna drop like a ton of bricks.

[this is the part where you laugh]

Yours & soon to be a year-older,
katie beth
PS: I’ll be waiting by the mailbox for that birthday card you’re gonna send me. Also, I have no idea who that is in the bikini, but I can tell you one thing: I really like his style.

wolf vs. caribou.

Question: do you ever have a song stuck in your head and then, somewhere around the bridge, it turns into another song? Well, if you’re nodding your head “yes,” then I don’t have to tell you how exciting of a thing it truly is. Anyhow, you know I’m real-into that XMU station. I mean, really. I am in complete and total love with those jams, and the other day, I heard a song called “Odessa” by a groovy little group called Caribou.

And I was feeling it, and then I thought WHOA! This is totally “Shewolf!” You know that funky little beat that Shakira did? Well, these two songs are like musical twins. [also, know that I just confidently added Shakira to my little dictionary of words, here on this laptop. Not as exciting as when I confidently added both Barack and Obama, but still pretty exciting nonetheless.]

Okay, I can understand how this post may not interest all, but if you’re looking for something to do, look those songs up and notice the nuances to one another. Which, naturally, now the question arises: which came first? The wolf or the caribou?

Well, some questions are just too cool to be answered, but it was the wolf. So, who really knows if Caribou is giving a musical-nod to the likes of Shakira, but I like to think that’s exactly what’s going on here. Funky little guitar riffs like that don’t go unnoticed, Shakira. I think that if Caribou were here on this blog, they would thank you for bringing it to them.

Alright, let’s go ahead and say it: this post is turning out to be borderline pointless. Really. This is not very important, but I have one more thing to tell you:

You know that song “Solider of Love,” by that great one they call Sade? Well, go give “The Stroke” another listen, the one by Billy S. I am telling you Sade ripped that beat off.

That may be a bit of a stretch, but they’re both great songs. Especially that “Soldier of Love.” That is some of the best shit I’ve heard in years. And I don’t feel guilty about saying shit in this post. I am pretty confident that no one reads these things anyway.

Whoa, now that we’ve talked Billy Squier, [I just added that to the dictionary, too. Gees, I hope I spelled it right] I feel the need to bump “Lonely is the Night.” That’s got to be the best song to play on that gee-tar hero. Wait, I lied. It’s got to be Asia’s classic of “Heat of the Moment.” Speaking of which, that XM Coffee House plays the most boss acoustic version of that song all the time. It is nothing short of magical, people. So much so, it’s now a featured video to the right. Hell yes.

Okay, now I’ve lied twice because the best song to play on Guitar Hero is “Sunshine of Your Love.” Why? Cause it’s just so darn creamy.

Alright, I have to give three speeches tomorrow, so let’s wind this on down. Now go listen-in to Asia and, sweet Lord, turn-it-up-real-loud. Also, rock steady.

Yours and mine,
katie beth

this place is weird.

Well, friend (I feel like I can call you that, since you’re reading this incredible post), I hope you’ve had a good little time checking out those songs that I told you about in my last post. I sure have. Anyhow, you know I love XM radio, and I have to tell you that I am right now listening to a station called “Watercolors.” It features some of the finest muzak you’ll ever have the total pleasure of listening to. It will undoubtedly put you into a chill and elevator-riding-esque kind of mind state. And that’s a good kind of mind state to be in.

Anyway, this day has been weird. It was one of those days where you’re just kind of in a mind-fog. Meaning: just because you woke up this morning, doesn’t necessarily mean that your brain did. I have felt weird all day, and that weirdness has carried into the night, but I gotta tell you something: I am not the only one. I may have felt weird, and I probably am weird a lot of the time, but there are some people out there in the world that are taking it to a whole new level.

People are weird. And being weird is never a bad thing, but there are different levels of weird. Let me give you a for-instance: there are the people that are weird, but you respect them for doing their own thing, but then there are the people that are weird, but in a truly bizarre way. Like, the man I saw walking a kid in a stroller through downtown Kingsport, at nine o’clock in the pm. Or, that one lady who talks to her hand, while holding it in a phone-like gesture.

And if I’m going to mention those examples, then I have to tell you again about that girl who was holding that strange little animal that sounded like it was oinking at people. And then there’s that one guy who goes around spitting on everything. Plus, there’s that one dude who wakes up in the morning, and apparently, the best he can come up with for his daily plan is doing nothing more than sitting on that bench in front of that bank.

And tonight, while being in downtown k-town for food purposes, I could see into this new place that had the title of something to do with cowboys. Anyway, there were actual cowboys in there. I was impressed, but that didn’t seem weird. In fact, that seemed perfectly normal.

But, hey, it’s not just the characters of this place that sometimes make it weird: I think it’s awfully weird the way those streets finally got paved, but the sidewalk scene remains in-the-pits. A person in my life had an outright fall as a direct result of the carelessness of sidewalk management. I mean really, we should rise-up and get something done about it. That seems like a viable argument and a good enough reason to rally the troops. Maybe not, but it should be addressed.

Anyway, don’t let this post make you think that I don’t hold Kingsport, Tennessee near-and-dear to my heart, cause I really do, especially that downtown region. It’s a pretty alright place to spend some time. And, since we’re talkin downtown k-town, I have to take this opportunity to say one thing: RIP, Kaffe Blue. I miss you like the deserts miss the rains.

Seriously, though I would hands down highly recommend Kingsport, here in east-tennessee. We have a completely boss planetarium, over at Bays Mountain. PLUS: we’re getting ready to open that Olive Garden, people.

Now, I have never eaten at any Olive Garden, but I hear that, when you go, you’re family. And I’m really gonna hold them to it. I’ll expect to make a reservation and not have to say my name. And don’t worry, it will be okay. They’ll know who I am, just by the sound of my voice. Why? Because we’re family. That’s why.

I look forward to it, if I ever even go. Why again? Because I have lived in Kingsport my entire life, and, here in Kingsport, we rep one place and one place only, when it comes to food with noodles. And that place is Giuseppe’s. I’m not sure what their slogan is, because I don’t think they have one, but it’s the sort of place where I wish I really was family. And sometimes, I like to pretend like I am.

Alright, this post has definitely taken a turn for the slightly weird, and rightfully so. Anyhow, in concluding style: this place, as with any place, can get down with some weird, but that’s why I love it so much. In fact, I plan on making a top ten list of all the reasons why I love Kingsport. Yeah, I’m gonna do that, so go ahead and start looking forward to it.

Anyway, K-TOWN 4 LIFE.

Yours,
katie beth giuseppe


PS- raise your hand if you would wear this sweatshirt, cause I’m sure-as-hell raisin’ mine.

xmu > coffee house.

How is it honestly going, good reader of the blog? I sure do hope that things in your life are going well. And I really mean it. Your happiness means the world to me. And, speaking of happiness, the camper is back-in-action.

That’s right. Last night, I once again reconnected with my sleeping bag and let me tell you something: we have really missed each other. It was high time that we got back together.

Anyhow, what I’ve really come here to tell you is that I am listening-in to a new radio station, by way of those satellites. Though I am still in complete love with the Coffee House, it was time for a change. It started to feel like they were playing the same stuff, and it wasn’t the stuff that I really liked. There was this one song called “Magic Marker” by Monsters of Folk that they kept-on playing for what seemed like every single damn second. Don’t waste any minute of your life looking that song up. So not even worth it.

But, anyway, it was time for a change. So, I bumped a few stations down and got real-into a station that they call Sirius XMU. The U may or may not stand for University, and I think that’s what it really does stand for, but it should really stand for Ungodly amounts of greatness. This station is receiving the official stamp of totally and completely boss.

So, I can’t just sit around and enjoy all of these songs that I am currently feelin. I had to share some of them with you. And it’s really exciting to know that I can actually listen to these people outside of the internet and i-tunes. Whoever said that radio is dead needs to turn their ears on over to XMU, because it’s there that they will find a righteous revival.

Alright, I have listed below eleven songs so that you can get a vibe of what I am currently enjoying on this station, on the radio. That’s right, people. ON THE RADIO. It’s incredible that actual good music is getting a little well-deserved air-time. Suck on that, FM.

Okay, here they are:

11. "Cold War (Nice Clean Fight)" The Morning Benders

10. “Quiet Little Voices” We Were Promised Jetpacks

9. “Shadow People” Dr. Dog

8. “81” Joanna Newsom

7. “World Sick” Broken Social Scene

6. “A Little Lost" Arthur Russell

5. “Diplomat’s Son” Vampire Weekend

4. “The High Road” Broken Bells

3. “What a Drag” Bear Hands

2. “Go Do” Jónsi

1. “Bloodbuzz Ohio” The National

Okay, I hope you liked my list, cause I worked real-hard to bring it to you. Actually, not hardly, but I do keep a stack of orange post-its with me, so I can write down the names of songs that I really like. So far, listening to this station for the past three days has successfully filled-up four of those post-its. And that’s pretty impressive.

Now go forth and listen to some of the ones that I posted for you over on that video list to your immediate right. I would have put all of them on here, but that list is starting to get obnoxiously long. I’m gonna have to take some of those off of here. It’s getting to be ridiculous. But you can feel free to go look up the others on your own. They would totally deserve your attention.

Alright, now go get into them. Also, Jónsi is from Iceland. I know, it’s completely awesome.

Yours through the frequencies,
katie beth

wait, there's more: did you like the number one song on that list? Well, get excited because that album (High Violet) is gonna drop into your atmosphere on May eleventh. And here's what it's gonna look like:

you need to hear this.

Hell’s bells, friends of the blog. I spoke too soon. Remember that girl we discussed? You know, the one that I don’t really care for, well, she didn’t drop the class. It’s alright, though. It’s nothing I can’t handle.

Anyhow, you know I like to set the scene, and right now, I am sitting in a really cold computer lab and there’s only one other person in here. I’m sitting at the computer in the back left corner of the room and he’s sitting in the back right corner of the room. Do you think that makes him a Republican? Perhaps.

Anyway, it’s April and I always feel sorry for March. We never saw it coming and we hardly notice when it’s left, but I think I made good use of the month. I hope you did, too. And if you didn’t, well, that’s alright.

Okay, I need to tell you about the song that I have now listened to, well, I haven’t been keeping count, but sweet lord, I can’t stop. Do you know the genius that is Justin Vernon? Well, just in case you don’t, he’s great. And you know how you get into those Youtube trances? Well, I do and I just start clicking and listening, especially when I have to sit in this freezing computer lab for what feels like forever.

And it’s a nice escape because there are usually lots of people in here and they all have on blue scrubs. (I’m in the Health Building) And they’re all quite tall. I was in the lobby the other day and it almost felt like I was experiencing a scene in Avatar, but I digress.

Back to the musical discussion:

Well, I knew that Peter Gabriel of “In Your Eyes” fame had covered “Flume,” by Bon Iver [a boss project by Justin Vernon where he hibernated in a cabin in winter and emerged with quite possibly the best thing you’ll ever hear] Anyhow, I had heard the “Flume” cover and I liked it a lot and then, with the wonder that are hyperlinks, I finally discovered a video of Justin Vernon’s cover of “Come Talk To Me,” by Peter Gabriel.

Isn’t that awesome? It’s like musical-cover-tag, and I’m all for it. I could go on all day about Justin Vernon, but my two hours of work with my daily Academic Work Scholarship are about up and I parked in a two-hour spot, so I best be winding it on down, but just know that J. Vernon is rapidly replacing J. Mayer in my heart where I keep my greatest musical loves. And know that’s a major thing for me.

Alright, guys, I have posted the song on here for you. Please listen-on-in and get excited. It’s ridiculous, and in the best-sort-of-way.

I promise I won’t wait super-long to put up another post. I know you get sad when you can’t come on over to the blog and read something great.

Also, I have a quick little story to share with you:

The other day, I was walking into class and there’s a bench outside. On it, there sat a girl. And she had on black pumps, really tight jeans, lots o’ make-up, and two lip rings. They were sort of like punk-rock elephant tusks. Anyway, she was just sitting there and she was holding something. I couldn’t tell you if it was a dog or a cat, but I’m pretty sure it oinked. It was bizarre. And she told it to “hush up.”

Perhaps there is grand significance in that story, perhaps not, but I felt like it needed to be shared. Okay, now, go and listen to that video and feel free to fall in love.

Yours,
katie beth