A final post for 2010, Silly and Heartfelt all at the same time!

Dear Friend,
A year ago today I decided to put some of my Itunes gift money to good use. I looked around and listened to various clips from assorted artists and releases that had caught my attention in the preceding months before settling on to Ocean Eyes by Owl City. I'd heard his single Fireflies (just like every other person on earth) and had enjoyed to sound of it. I figured it was gift money, so I may as well take a chance with it.

I didn't listen much that night, being rather busy with New Year's Eve traditions, but what I did hear I liked. Little did I know it would send me into one of my "obsessive" phases that I am inclined to suffer through from time to time.

Though, suffer is a horrible choice for the way to describe how I go through these phases. I enjoy every second of immersing myself into a pleasant activity. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother, now would I?

As I mentioned in my previous post about the soundtrack of my year, Adam Young took over my listening habits. I love his music. However, it isn't just that. I love him.

I often have what I call Celebrity Crushes, they're fun and meaningless and often get me to watch movies or shows or listen to music I wouldn't have known about if I hadn't taken a strong interest in whoever the latest "heart throb" is. These little episodes rarely last longer than a month, sometimes less, really strong crushes occasionally last two or three months, and when they're over I still look fondly at the person and enjoy their work. I just don't obsess like I had before.

I've been "in love" with Adam Young for a year now.

I don't know what exactly it is that I adore so much about him. I do know that I find him witty, funny, sweet and inspiring, though. I've been happily listening to his music and reading his twitter and his blog. He quotes some of my favorite movies, including You've Got Mail. He reads wonderful books, even getting me to finally read the original Bambi novel. He's a Christian, and did the best cover of In Christ Alone I've ever heard. I almost can't find anything wrong with him.

But, isn't that a little strange? He's human, just like the rest of us, so he must have some faults. Well, I mean, besides the fact that he's obviously into Blond girls and a vegetarian, but those aren't exactly faults, are they, they're just his opinion and choice.

I've come across people who are so obsessed with celebrities that they believe they're honestly in love with them, and frankly those people scare me. I am not that scary, stalker girl who can't talk about anything or anyone else.(Though, the fact that he's been mentioned in almost every blog entry I've made these past six months might contradict that statement, huh?) The one who sends letters and presents and is upset when she doesn't get any replies or thanks. I also am not the girl who loses sight of reality in the fantasy of some unobtainable "god." I'm just sitting back, enjoying his music and lyrics and thoughts that he chooses to share with his audience.

I've chosen one of his songs to be a sort inspiration for this upcoming year.
Sky Sailing's Steady as She Goes



The tide can bring in anything,
So Steady as she goes!

Happy New Year, and God bless you, my friend!

My 2010 Soundtrack

Dear friend,
I got a lot of new music this year. Some of it really left a strong impression on me, so much so that it almost seems linked to all of the experiences I had this year. That has inspired me to compile a sort of soundtrack from the year.

For whatever songs I can, I'll embed a video from Youtube, so if you're reading this on facebook, and you don't see a video, go to my blogspot blog, there should be a link to click. If you don't you'll miss half the experience.


1. Fireflies by Owl City


2010 was practically the year of Adam Young for me. He somehow swooped in and took over my ipod, not just as Owl City, but also with his albums under the names Port Blue and Sky Sailing. I even bought some Swimming With Dolphins because of his involvement. This was the song that started it all, of course.

2. Terrified by Katherine McPhee feat. Zachary Levi


I got a complete and total celebrity crush on Zachary Levi this year, which is the only reason this song warrants exposure on this list... It's sweet though.

3. Galileo as sung by Josh Groban


I adore this song, I've played it to death, but I still adore it. It's silly and sweet and makes me smile each and every time I hear it.

4. End of May by Michael Buble


This song got me to like Michael Buble again after I had practically given up on him. I've got one hell of a melancholy streak in me, and this song speaks to it beautifully. It's another song I've played to death.

5. I'm Yours/ Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Straight No Chaser


I like this version better than Jason Mraz's which I would have thought was impossible. I love these guys, they are my favorite a cappela group (as though I have a lot of those groups to choose from...) They're amazing.

6. All My Heart by Stellar Kart


Theirs was the only Christian album I bought this year (*blush*) and this song just struck a chord with me. I'm not sure what other songs I've played this often on the album. (Honestly, last year's Barlow Girl CD Love and War is still heavy in my rotations, it was too awesome to overcome this year, I guess)

7. Rhythm of Love by the Plain White T's


Another song I've played to death. It makes me think of summer. Oddly enough, while I was writing my novel this November this song sort of became the main character's theme song. I can't explain that in any type of way, because it makes no sense. But it doesn't have to, it just works.

8. Bienvenue Dans Ma Vie by Nikki Yanofsky


Found Nikki on Itunes this year. I like her voice, and I love this song. Played to death, just like all the others on this list.

9. The Only Exception by Paramore


I'm not usually into Paramore. It seems like the sort of music I'd love, but somehow it just doesn't hit me. Until this song. I love it. Say it with me now: Played to death. LOL

10. Rainbow Veins by Owl City


I told you Adam Young took over my life this year. I adore this song, I think it's my favorite of his under Owl City.

11. Brielle by Sky Sailing


Adam Young again. This song will forever be the song that gave me the idea for my book that I wrote this year. If you listen, don't expect to know what my book is like, they couldn't be less alike. (I wrote a murder mystery, I can't explain how that came about) It's a beautiful song, and I love it.

12. Silhouettes by Swimming with Dolphins


Pretty, pretty song. I've got a story in my head because if this song. Maybe I'll write it someday.

13. Never Knew I Needed by Ne-Yo


The song from Princess and the Frog. I don't care very much for Ne-Yo, but I do like the song.

14. Voce Existe Em Mim by Josh Groban


It took me awhile to like this song, but once I did I loved it. I think it's because of all the drums. It's awesome.

15. Peppermint Winter by Owl City


Adam Young does Christmas! I so adore this song. I wish he'd make a proper Christmas album. The lyrics of this song are perfection!

I think that's enough. Hopefully all of those videos work and all this gathering and typing wasn't a complete waste of time! LOL

A new year is coming, you know what that means?

Dear Friend,
2010 was not a year of blogging. I don't really know what happened, I just didn't feel like writing out what was going through my head most days. I've had ideas, but no motivation. I'm hoping to change that. I've got a few ideas for blog entries, even a few series, that I have to do a little research on. (Research, on a blog? Aren't blog entries supposed to be spontaneous? What?)

Just to let you know, the first series I want to write is about people who inspire me. I made a list of ten people who make me want to get up off my butt and do something, even if it isn't what that person does. Hopefully either next week or after the beginning of the year I'll get started on that.

I'm planning on editing my NaNo novel after the new year starts. I think that will be enough of a break from the story to let me look objectively at the story and change what needs to be changed. I'm not satisfied with the story as it stands, so I know that editing needs to be done.

Eliot comic strips are also in the planning stages. I'm out of practice drawing him, so I've been sketching him lately, before I try to combine the art with the plot lines.

Christmas baking is swiftly approaching. For once I have no plans to try any new recipes. I'm hoping for a quiet Christmas, since Thanksgiving was extremely busy.


What is it about the end of the year that makes me so ambitious?