I should be crying
But I just can't let it show
I should be hoping
But I couldn’t stop thinking
All the things I should've said
That I never said
All the things we should of done
That we never did
All the things I should've given
But I didn't
I know this song has has other meanings but to me it has always reminded me of the strength of the women in my life. I never had that strong male role model to teach me how to be a good man but maybe it was always a blessing. I knew what I shouldn't do as a man.
I remember listening to my mother cry after my father had left. It's hard realizing that the one you love has chosen someone else. But my mother is an amazing woman. She got back on her feet and raised 4 children on her own. And if you know my sisters then you know it couldn't have been an easy task managing four kids who were all different people.
She always made sure I had the support I needed. One of my favorite memories is graduating from University because I could see on her face how proud she was of me. It was a good feeling and she always had enough pride in me for two parents.
I was then blessed to marry a strong woman. Someone who was brave enough to dream of doing more for the world and take the steps to fulfill that dream. Every day that she leaves for school I am so proud to be married to someone who wants to make this world a better place for the future.
I see how frustrated she gets with her studies and sometimes I make her even more frustrated but she always makes it through. She makes hard and she achieves her goals. While our students threw in the towel with the bus strike and even I thought it might be a good idea she found drives to school or walked home to get to her classes and mid-terms. It's her strength of character. She never gives up.
She makes me a better person. She's opened my eyes to so many things. I am blessed to have her in my life and I hope everyone else is blessed to find the woman who makes them a better man.
With Valentine's Day being tomorrow Amy and I thought we'd post our top ten Love stories. We had decided they would be from any movie, book, or TV show. TV shows were hard to work with from my end because I had a hard time separating the relationship from the overall storyline since not many TV shows center around romance only. I also only included one book couple cause I just do not read my romance novels as I'd rather see romance played out on film then on the page. The one couple I did include were easy to identify with so I included them.
As always you can find Amy's list and all her other wonderful posts here: Absolutely Amy
And on to the list:
10. It Could Happen To You
A cop doesn't have enough money to leave a tip so promises to return and split his winnings with the waitress. Amazing he wills the jackpot and then returns to actually split the earnings. Sounds far fetched but the movie is based on a true story. The movie shows how money can change some people and make you open your eyes to possibilities. The growing relationship between Charlie and Yvonne in the film is sweet to watch.
9. Cruel Intentions
I like watching people fall in love. I'm a sap in that way (one of many ways I'm a sap). It's a great story of making a bet to change someone and then falling in love who they are. This was also done in She's All That but it's done so much better in this film.
8. Jim and Michelle from American Pie
What's better then two geeks falling in love. I liked this story because they grew over the three films and am interested to see where they are in the fourth film. You got to see them grow from awkwardly having sex to getting married.
7. Percy and Joey from Dawson`s Creek
A great example of not being able to get over one of your first loves. You get to see then go from a mutual "hatred" to budding friendship to being a couple. I liked that they ended the show together because I always felt Pacey was better for her then Dawson.
6. Katness and Peeta from The Hunger Games Trilogy
First of all I couldn't find a video I liked to showcase Katness and Peeta. Besides that one of the reasons I rushed through the trilogy so fast was to see what would happen between then. I really enjoyed the way their relationship grew in the trilogy.
5. JD and Elliot from Scrubs
I loved this one because from the start you just knew they were supposed to be together and then rest of the series you watched their ups and downs just wanting them to be together.
4. Nathan and Haley from One Tree Hill
When I first started watching One Tree Hill I expected Haley to go for Lucas. It just seemed the obvious thing that would happen. What I liked is that she fall for Nathan and in a rarity for TV shows they actually stayed together for the entire series (other then that horrible storyline in season 2 but everyone knew they'd eventually get back together). As nice as it is to watch people fall in love it's just a nice watching them struggle sometimes to stay in love.
3. Beauty and The Beast
Has there actually ever been a better love story then this one. The idea of getting to know someone for who they are and what they can be rather then just thinking they look good. I admit that first instinct is to go for someone attractive but I like the idea of getting to know someone and then slowing falling in love with them.
2. The Notebook 1. A Walk To Remember
I'm writing these two together because overall the idea of romance in them is similar. Both are based on Nicolas Sparks books and while The Notebook may be the more romantic of the two I enjoyed the story in A Walk to Remember better. Both show how people of different backgrounds can fall in love. It's somethings is a lot in entertainment but it is done really well in these two films.
To all the lovers out there ... Happy Valentine's Day.
I've always loved Whitney's voice. My older sister had her cassettes and I remember her music being played a lot from her bedroom. Music has always been a big part of my life. I don't really do anything without music and growing up some of the music I loved but hide the fact was her music.
As I got older I stopped hiding it because I didn't really care what people thought. I had an eclectic taste in music and you couldn't deny she was an amazing singer.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Oh I wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat with somebody
Yeah I wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me
I remember making my own dance routines to this song. I absolutely loved the song and remember being annoyed that I had to rewind the cassette. Sadly cassettes didn't have a repeat option.
Greatest Love Of All
I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all
My father left our family when I was young and I quickly had to become the man of the house. I worked at helping my mom make ends meet. This song always inspired me. I loved the message of believing and loving yourself. It's easy when you are young to blame yourself for a parent abandoning you. It's something I think my sisters had a hard time with but I never blamed myself. I knew it was simply a matter of my father being an asshole and choosing a life of alcohol and drugs over being a family man. I learned at a young age that I cannot control what other people do. I can only control myself and make my own choices. I made the decision to be my own person and be better then my father.
One Moment In Time
I want one moment in time
When I'm more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I'm racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will feel
I will feel eternity
I just simply love this song. When I played soccer this was one of the songs I played from my walkman to pump myself up. It was the first song I played while I put on my cleats and shin pads before I listened to the more uptempo stuff.
I Will Always Love You
I hope
life treats you kind
And I hope
you have all you've dreamed of
And I wish you joy
and happiness
But above all this
I wish you love
The go to song to end any Junior High dance. When you awkwardly ask a girl to dance and then awkwardly place your hands on her hips and move around in a circle. The entire song you are wondering if you should make the move to try moving her hands downwards but most of the time you chicken out. I have to
whenever I hear the song cause I'd properly still be to chicken to move my hands down.
Heartbreak Hotel
All I really wanted was some of your time
Instead you told me lies when someone else was on your mind
What'd you do to me? Look what you did to me
I thought that you were someone who would do me right
Until you played with my emotions and you made me cry
What'd you do to me? Can't take what you did to me
Arguably one of the greatest R&B songs ever. Whitney's voice blends so well with Kelly Price and Faith Evans. It's a good song to sit back and chill to.
My Love Is Your Love
As the years they pass us by
(Years they, years they, years they)
We stay young through each other's eyes
(Each other's eyes)
And no matter how old we get
It's okay as long as I got you babe
The last really good Whitney song. Her music never seemed as special after this album but the song is beautiful. Her voice is still beautiful on this track even if she doesn't let out any big notes. It's a wonderful and mellow song that is fun to sing along with.
Count On Me
Count on me through thick and thin
A friendship that will never end
When you are weak, I will be strong
Helping you to carry on
Call on me, I will be there
Don't be afraid
Please believe me when I say
Count on....
I Believe In You And Me
I believe in miracles
And Our love's a miracle
And yes, baby you're my dream come true
I was lost, now I'm free (oOh Baby)
Cuz I believe
I believe in you and me
See I was lost, now I'm free
I believe in you and me
I added these last two because they are songs my mother loves. My mom never really expressed a deep love for any particular songs. But when she did hear a song she liked she made sure I put them on CDs for her. She also loved the two movies these song from, Waiting to Exhale and The Preacher's Wife.
I do not care how corny it is I absolutely love this film. The acting, the dialogue, that Aerosmith song that was played way to much in 1998. It's all cheese and I love it all. The move makes absolutely no sense and I hope that if a giant asteroid was going to crash into earth we would do more then just send oil drillers up to drill a whole to hopefully blow it up with seconds to spare.
Regardless of how flimsy the plot of the movie was the movie delivers solid action and emotion. One of my favorite scenes is the one with Ben Affleck and a few other cast members singing "Leaving On A Jet Plane." It's such a serious moment with everyone worrying about taking off for space and it the singing allowed for a little comedic relief.
It's not the greatest movie ever but it's worth the time to watch if you are looking for an enjoyable film that requires little to no thought.
The Day After Tomorrow
This is definitely the lamest "End of the World" movie ever. I know the effects of Global Warning are not good for the world. My wife is taking Environmental Studies and she's always reminding me to recycle and place food in the compost. She also has to well at me for leaving the water running.
But to use Global Warming in a movie is kinda lame. Other then crazy storms nothing really happens. There's a poor attempt at including romance between two of the kids but even that storyline is weak at best. I just don't think the world's climates would switch that quickly so it feels unrealistic.
The movie did make a wise decision to be released in the early part of the decade when little was actually known about Global Warming by the average movie watcher.
Even with everything that is wrong with the film it is still one of my favorite "so bad it's good" movies.
Independence Day
I remember waiting in a really long line to see this film on opening day. It felt like I waited forever (thank God for the invention of the internet where you can purchase movies online early and skip the lines to purchase tickets.) but the movie ended up being worth the wait.
From the moment I saw the first trailer it was my must see movie of 1996.
I was 15 when the movie was released so it seemed like the greatest thing ever and it was all I talked about that entire summer. I was a huge Fresh Prince fan so I was excited to see Will Smith in a movie (I hadn't seen Bad Boys or the really good Six Degrees of Separation yet).
There was so much action in the film right from the start and I loved every second of it. It was the first movie I went to see multiple times in theaters just because I was that impressed with it. Now that Titanic is getting a 3D release this movie should get one as well. If any 90's movie deserves to be released in 3D it's Independence Day.
The movie made great choices with casting. Everyone in the movie owned there roles. Besides Will Smith other actors delivering solid roles are Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, and Randy Quaid.
Here's hoping I can stand in line for the 3D release.
Dogma
In my opinion the best of the Kevin Smith films. The film has great dialogue and the cast delivers the lines with ease.
The cast makes the film. Alan Rickman is great as Metatron. He delivers his lines with such dryness that is hilarious and is also seen in his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films. The film also includes great acting from Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Chris Rock, and Selma Hayak. Even Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith hold their own in the film. Plus Alanis Morrisette as God is a great cameo.
Like any Kevin Smith movie the film is filled with plenty of stupid humor but it comes across as a better film due to the higher quality of actor in the film. Where his earlier films were just as funny, Dogma delivered superior acting.
The movie was seen as controversial when it was released with like 20 Catholics protesting the film. These protesters including Kevin Smith himself which proves that the protesters actually had no clue what they were actually protesting.
If they had watched the film they would have seen that God wins in the end. Plus it's obvious that the film should not be taken seriously mostly because it is a Kevin Smith film.
The fact is it's a funny movie and that's enough to make it worth watching.
There are some songs that transcend. Songs that it means that no one can ruin because the lyrics have so much meaning. These songs can be spun around to sound good with any musical style. They are some of my all time favorite songs because they can be re imagined and sung in so many ways.
10. Yesterday
Favorite versions by: The Beatles, Boys II Men
9. Tracks of My Tears
Favorite versions by: Smoky Robinson and the Miracles, Mary Beth Mariaz, Gavin DeGraw
8. Suspicious Minds
Favorite versions by: Elvis, Dwight Yoakam, Fine Young Cannibals
7. Heartless
Favorite versions by: Kris Allen, Kanye West, The Fray, Dia Frampton
6. Man in the Mirror
Favorite versions by: Michael Jackson, Kris Allen, James Morrison, Glee Cast
5. Ain’t No Sunshine
Favorite versions by: Bill Withers, Michael Jackson, Eva Cassidy, Kris Allen, Me First and The Gimme Gimmes
4. Time After Time
Favorite versions by: Eva Cassidy, Tuck and Patti, Matchbox 20, Cyndi Lauper
3. The Way You Look Tonight
Favorite versions by: Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr., James Taylor, Ella Fitzgerald
2. To Make You Feel My Love
Favorite versions by: Trisha Yearwood, Bob Dylan, Garth Brooks, Jewel, Adele, Kris Allen, Kelly Clarkson
1. Have A Little Faith in Me
Favorite versions by: John Hiatt, Jewel, Bon Jovi, Joe Cocker, Mandy Moore, Chaka Chan
Super Bowl Sunday means that during every commercial break companies will spend over 3 million dollars for a 30 second spot to try to impress 80-100 million people. Every year companies bend over backwards to have the most talked about commercial. Of course here in Canada we'll have to wait an extra day for most commercials although Budweiser was cool and smart enough to know Canadians drink too much and made a commercial that will only be viewed in Canada during the Superbowl. I have included that commercial plus my top ten below.
10. Pepsi Stuff – JT
I'm a fan of Justin Timberlake and really enjoyed the other celebrity cameos through the commercial.
9. McDonald’s: Play for a Big Mac
I grew up eating a lot of McDonald's and loving basketball so watching two of the greatest players ever take ridiculous shots always amused me.
8. Volkswagon: Darth Vader
I just thought this commercial was really cute and showed the imagination of kids.
7. Diet Pepsi Max: What is Love?
As many friends will remember, from many different parties, Troy and I loved forcing people to "dance" to this song. When I hear the song I can't stop myself from nodding my head. It's just ingrained into my sub-conscious. The commercial plays into this so well especially with Chris Kattan at the end of the commercial.
6. Budweiser: Wassup
Sure it's annoying now but for at least a year you couldn't call a buddy without saying wassup.
5. NFL Network: Tomorrow
I love this commercial. Every few weeks the song just gets stuck in my head and I like watching other people who can't sing.
4. Nike: Basketball
This commercial use to fascinate me. The stuff they pull off was cool when the commercial was released.
3. Terry Tate Office Linebacker
Every office should have a Terry Tate. I still crack up every time I watched these on YouTube.
2. Google: Parisian Love
I'm a sentimental fool so this commercial is right up my alley.
1. Gatorade: Be Like Mike
I always wanted to be like Mike when I was younger. I remember seeing the commercial and then bugging my family by singing it all the time. I truly believe this commercial is the reason I drank Gatorade rather then Powerade.
Everybody sing it now:
Sometimes I dream
That he is me
You've got to see that's how I dream to be
I dream I move, I dream I groove
Like Mike
If I could Be Like Mike
Like Mike
Oh, if I could Be Like Mike
Be Like Mike, Be Like Mike
Again I try
Just need to fly
For just one day if I could
Be that way
I dream I move
I dream I groove
Like Mike
If I could Be Like Mike
I wanna be, I wanna be
Like Mike
Oh, if I could Be Like Mike
I have recently joined the gym. Nessa wanted to join and it was only $24 extra to add me so we both got memberships.
I went for the first time this week and then remembered how out of shape I am. I use to be able to swim laps without having to use the doggie paddle as I struggled to reach the edge of the pool (I'm pretty sure the lifeguard had an extra eye in me as I struggled from side to side). I also use to be able to run a mile without wanting to lay down and die.
As I struggled to finish a mile I was trying to run I wondered how I reached this point. It all goes back to my first semester of university.
I was on my own for the first time (if you can call sharing a dorm with 80-100 people on my own). I grew up a skinny kid never over eating. Now I had access to a full cafeteria that was always all you can eat. I was also walking distance from McDonald's and a really good pizza place and had money to spare. I also discovered a love for rum and cokes. Since I had nothing to spend my money on (other the VHS movies and CDs ... God I'm old) I spent a lot of money on eating and drinking.
I knew what I was doing was unhealthy. I told myself to just have fun and enjoy myself. I'd get back in shape at some point. I convinced myself that I'd turn it around. That was over 12 years ago. Now I'm an out of shape 30 year old who is finally really trying to turn it around.
The thing I wish someone would have pointed out to me was to not overdue the food and drink. To make sure you fit physical activity into your life. To be careful what you do now that you are on your own. No one wants to be overweight and out of shape at 30. Or maybe they do but I don't.
That's way I decided that I'll post weight loss updates online. I know only like 3 people regularly look at this blog (3 people is a slightly optimistic number) but at least it'll be out there for anyone to see. It'll hopefully keep me pushing toward my goal of losing 30-40 pounds this year.
