Update

I've been learning a lot about myself over the past few months.  The most notable thing is that I need transitions. Let me be more specific: I need more time to adjust to new situations than the average person.  Last semester, the dental school had us on a miserable half class half clinic schedule.  Looking back, I don't think I ever got that down very well even after months of it.  Over Christmas break I spent extra time at home, effectively pushing my return to the school routine back a few days.  Combine that with my inherent laziness and it's a recipe for disaster.  I still have a pile of 'stuff' that needs to put away.  Most of it was emptied from my backpack before I traveled home for break.  This clutter is a pretty good representation of how I feel about my life right now.  There's a big pile of junk that I trip over every day as I try to get the meaningful things accomplished.  I'm trying to prioritize as best I can.  Clinical responsibilities are always at the forefront of my thoughts, even during hours I'm supposed to be enjoying my sleep.  I worry about patients, their pending treatments, what I'm going to tell the one that doesn't know about the misplaced dental implant (not my fault!), and what's going to happen the next time some of my charts are audited.  I'm on an extremely regular schedule, more-so than any other point in time.  I suppose it'll be that way for the rest of my life, though that doesn't trouble me.  This semester I theoretically could be in clinic all of the time except tuesday mornings, when we have class.  In practice, it's relatively difficult to book enough chairs to max out on clinic time.  There's a fine line between keeping busy enough not to feel like you are behind the pace and being so busy that you are stressed out, running only on coffee, as you run from clinic to clinic.  Somehow, I manage to feel both of those ways every single day.  On the bright side, at only a month into this semester, I seem to be in a pretty good groove.  Perhaps it's too early to call it a groove, but I'm hopeful I have truly found some footing.  I need the stability.  


Sorry for the wall of text.  I needed some therapy.  You know what else would be therapeutic? Hearing from some of my favorite people! Leave a comment below, please.  

Teh facebook

So, I know this is entirely self induced, so before you point that out to me, I already know it.  I feel like facebook is less and less about my friends, and more about how 'liking' something will enter me in a contest to win.  I like the new features and how easy it is to share with different groups of people.  I like the new album previews for photos.  I regularly hide/unsubscribe/kabosh app privileges, but my news feed is more cluttered than I would like.  Any tips on how you keep your feed clean? 


Finally, the whole ticker is strange to me, because I feel like that is the more important stuff.  To illustrate my point, I made the following graphic. Thoughts?

More Music --- Remains by Maurissa Tancharoen & Jed Whedon

If you know me, or have read this blog, you probably know that I'm a huge fan of the TV series Dollhouse. What you might not realize is that a year and a half after the show was cancelled, it is still influencing me.  I had previously mentioned a song from the show that has become an all-time favorite of mine.  This time, I'm back with another song that I just can't seem to shake.  Perhaps this will balance out the cheerfulness of the last post I did.  


The music video is wonderful, too.  Do yourself a favor and watch it. Now.





The Zune store doesn't have this song, but thankfully Amazon does.

Another Music Post - Rachel Platten

I know I did a post on music not all that long ago, but I really just have to share one more artist that I've been listening to for the past couple of weeks.  Her name is Rachel Platten, and her newest CD, Be Here, was just released back in April.  I'll stop talking, though, and let Rachel convince you herself. Amazon has the album for $5.99, which in my opinion is a complete steal! Grab it here.

Current Musical Interests - Spring/Summer '11

So, I don't want to sound melodramatic, but I am not sure I could have made it through the past year without amazing music. Either keeping me awake and pumped during a long study session or helping me fall asleep after I'd ingested more caffeine than is probably healthy for anyone, music was at the center of it all. This post is dedicated to a few of the songs that have helped me through.

Young Blood - The Naked and Famous

This song is simply amazing. I discovered it during finals week about two months ago. Since then it has become the 3rd most played song in my library, no small feat considering other songs have had years to amass plays. The lyrics are good, too:

We lie beneath the stars at night
Our hands gripping each other tight
You keep my secrets hope to die
Promises, swear them to the sky

The bittersweet between my teeth
Trying to find the in-betweens
Fall back in love eventually
Yeah yeah yeah yeah

The music video is somewhat lame, but the song is so good I can look the other way. Definitely go and listen to this song right now!


Nightwatchmen - Bell X1

Bell X1 just released their second fifth album (thanks to Ivan for pointing this out to me), and while as a whole it's pretty decent, this song stands out. It's a soft, romantic ballad, that builds throughout the song. I also feel that it's been ages since I've heard a song as musical as this one. It's so simple, but I can't seem to get over it.

To the girl among nightwatchmen
My other, my joy
With your oil-drum fire
You were my gentle unfolding
The wool and the dye
The needle and eye

These songs you sing
as you waltz her up the stairs


You can listen to it here.

Also, if you like their sound, I'd recommend checking out the song How Your Heart is Wired from their first album.  I actually played that song more up front, but Nightwatchmen grew on me more. A lot more.  

The Killers

I know what you are thinking:  "The Killers are sooo 2004... or maybe 2006!" Well, I've always liked The Killers, but I think I got a little burned out on them.  As such, I didn't really look into getting their third studio album, Day & Age.  Over the past year, I have found that there are a few tracks that the radio stations never picked up on. The hidden gems on the album are This Is Your Life and I Can't Stay.  I realize that if you are a true Killers fan you probably already know what I'm telling you. In the chance you are like me, missing a song here or there, I'm trying to get you back on track. 

Gravity Happens - Kate Voegele

So, for those of you that have known me for a while, you might remember that I've had an obsession with singer/songwriter Kate Voegele for many years now.  If Taylor Swift was a brunette, she'd still fall short.  I've even stalked her at a concert full of teenage girls... I'm pretty sure I was the only single guy in the place.  Anyway, Kate just released her third album and it's really solid.  I'm glad to report that she has continued making music that sounds like her.  Too frequently, a record label tries to dictate an artist's sound (like the monstrosity that was Marié Digby's second album).  Her song, Sunshine In My Sky is the perfect summer song:

I want a violet bicycle
Flip flops and sand between my toes
These are the beautiful things in life

So give me that off-the-shoulder dress
The one that the boys will not forget
Well I want just a little bit more from life

Maybe I should fly my bags and fly to Costa Rica
Put a flower in my hair, a dancing senorita 

I'm a huge fan of the entire album, but my favorite song is titled Impatient Girl.  It's incredibly catchy!  Also, I like the songs Say You're Mine, Hundred Million Dollar Soul, Enough For Always, and Sandcastles.  There are a couple of sad/dark songs that I find enjoyable, too.  Look for Heart In Chains, and Burning The Harbor.  

You asked to dance and I got shy
And you said honey there's no time for excuses

Finally, I'll say that I bought this album on Amazon.  It was $6!  But somehow I had a $2 promotional credit applied to the purchase, so it ended up being only $3.99 for this entire album.  I actually felt a little bit guilty, because I like Kate so much.  She's playing a show in Philly with Natasha Bedingfield, but it's the same weekend as Thomas' wedding.  I'm really bummed that I can't see Kate. If you are still having your doubts about how good looking she is, check out this photo.

The Way It Was - Parachute

I was really rooting for this band, hoping that they wouldn't fall victim to the sophomore slump that many musicians have with their second release.  It looks like they did okay!

My favorite song is called What I Know.  It's a sad song.  :-(

I stop the car and close my eyes
I can see her face, but It takes a while
And it feeds it like the morning light
Slow and unfocused, So I go home and
She’s sitting on the kitchen chair
Oh a suitcase waiting by the stairs
Oh they’re both worn out from all the years
They’re ready to let go
And I realize the only thing that’s sure is

She said , I’m in love with some one else she said
I fell in love with some one else and I
I’m in love with some one and that’s all that I know for sure
She’s in love with some one else she said
She fell in love with some one else and that
She’s in love with some one and that’s all that I know for sure

Other notables are American Secrets and Philadelphia. The song Philadelphia was really unexpected, because the band is from Virginia.  It's mellow and beautiful.  

Amazon also has this album for $5.99.  One of my fellow dental students was claiming this album to be the best pop album in recent history.  I don't know if I can claim that, but it is pretty good.  

Finally, if you've made it this far, I commend you.  I have one final song to share, fellow listener.  Recently, my sister showed me an amazing music video for a song I'd never heard before.  The editing is supurb.  U2 is epic.  What more can I say? 

Well, that's all for now.  I spent a decently long time on this post, so please let me know what you think of the songs.  Also, is the formatting over the top?

Photoshop Magic

This was more work than you could ever imagine. The sky, bluffs, and road were all edited separately.

One of my first attempts at cloning, probably about four years ago.  Check out the backgrounds.

Beer Can Chicken

I'm giving this new recipe a try. I put half a can of beer, along with some butter, garlic, rosemary, paprika, and some chicken seasoning inside the chicken. Yes, the aluminum can is inside the chicken. I'll let you know how it turned out...

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