Tuesday Top Ten: Favorite Duets

I was listening to some duets last week when I decided to make this the top ten for the week. I've always enjoyed listening to people collaborating together to create a good song. In the spirit of Duets I asked Lisa to work on a Top Ten of her own so we can post together. You can see her blog here:

A Pop Culture Affair

Coming up with this list was harder then I expected. There has been a lot of duets that I've loved or at least enjoyed over the years.

I started by eliminating three newer duets that I really love but either didn't seem as good as overs that I have loved for longer. If I redid the list in a few years they might sneak in then.

B.O.B and Taylor Swift – Both of Us

Kris Allen and Meiko – Loves Me Not

Tyler Hilton and Elizabeth Huett – Jenny

There were other Honorable Mentions that just didn't make my final ten:

Diana Ross and Lionel Richie - Endless Love

John Travolta and Olivia Newton John - You're The One That I Love

Bethany Joy Lenz and Tyler Hilton - When The Stars Go Blue

and this Classic

 

A Few Other songs that I eliminated because although I love the songs they are a gathering of multiple rappers rather then duets.

Northern Touch

Shake Ya Tailfeather

Welcome to Atlanta Remix

Where the Party At So So Def Remix

Bad Boy For Life

And finally this gem from Space Jam

And now the Top Ten: 

The first three sections made the list because I just felt the two voices worked so well together and I really like the lyrics. "Good For You" has two versions but I prefer the Kate Voegele version because I find her voice to be amazing.

10.  Mandy Moore and Jon Foreman - Someday We'll Know

9. Mariana’s Trench and Kate Voegele – Good For You

8. Matt Nathanson and Sugarland – Run

7. Nelly and Tim McGraw – Over and Over Again

 Similar to B.O.B. and Taylor Swift above this next one just surprised me with how much I liked the duo singing. It's not a duo that would jump to the top of my head but the song ended up being a really good song.

6.  Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley – (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life

I am a big fan of the movie Dirty Dancing and I've heard this song so many times in my life that I am constantly singing it in my heard along with quoting lines from the movie like "Nobody puts Baby in the corner."

5. Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson – Scream

In my opinion one of the best songs done by Michael Jackson since the Thriller album. Michael and Janet sound so well together and I loved the dance from the video.

4. Mariah Carey and Boys II Men – One Sweet Day

For so many school dances this song was played while we awkwardly slow danced. I actually realy liked Mariah's Daydream album and this song was one of the better songs on the album.

3. Temple of The Dog – Hunger Strike

I'm going to cheat on this song because it isn't really a duet since it was a band that was made in tribute to Andrew Wood and the band included members of Pearl Jam and Sound Garden. I'm counting it because it is one of my favorite rock songs and includes two of my favorite singers: Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell.

2.   Joe Budden and Busta Rhymes – Fire

 For anyone who partied at Al's house knows how much Al and I loved this song and would play it constantly at parties. No matter how drunk we were it would get us up and dancing like fools. 

E&A Was in the House!

1. Duets from Animated Films

I'm going to cheat again and include all duets in from animated films as the number 1 spot. When I was working on the list I had songs from Beauty and the Beast (Beauty and The Beast) , Aladdin (A Whole New World), American Tail (Somewhere Out There), Tangled (I See The Light) amongst other great duets from animated classics. I couldn't decide which to drop and didn't want to drop any of the ones in the top ten so I included all the songs as number one.

 I can do that since it is my list!

Tuesday Top Ten: Summer TV

Since it's summer and in recent years there have been just as many good Summer TV shows as during the Fall I thought I'd use this weeks blog to list my top ten current Summer TV shows. I'll be sharing this weeks list with my friend Lisa who I have discovered from GetGlue has similar tastes in Pop Culture as myself. 

You can find her Blog here: 

A Pop Culture Affair 

I'm going to start with a few Honorable Mentions of shows that I've recently started enjoying but have not watched them enough to include them in the top ten. 

Eureka

Covert Affairs

Franklin and Bash

Warehouse 13

Falling Skies
Suits

 

10. Wilfred

I wasn't sure about the show when I first started watching but I have grown to love the show. I talk to my dog all the time so it's nice to see a show where the dog actually talks back.

9. Episodes

I had mixed feelings about this because I have never been a big fan of Matt LeBlanc but he is actually really funny playing a caricature of himself. This weeks in the same way that James Van Der Beek works in Don't Trust The B- in Apt 23 except this show has more going for it overall. 

8. True Blood

This show is hit or miss for me. There are seasons I love (Seasons 1 and 3) and seasons I hated (Seasons 2 and last season) but I always still get around to watching the show although I don't ever really feel like re-watching the earlier seasons.


7.  America’s Got Talent

I enjoy this show because you can see so many amazing things that people can do. Of course you also get the stupid talents like guys who can take kicks to the balls. When you can see someone you looks like a train wreck come out and blow you away. Like this summer with the Goth kid belting out opera music. It was unexpected and wonderful. Likeing this show also gives me a reason to post this video:

 

6. Big Brother

This one always depends on the cast but if you get the right mix of sane and insane housemates then it is great for guilty Summer TV. I do always wish they would replace Julie Chen with another host but the show is usually a good time killer regardless.

5. Teen Wolf   

This show is better when watching many episodes at once. When I first started watching the show last summer I lost interest watching it weekly and just stopped watching. I gave it another try and really enjoyed the show but now I am experiencing the same thing where if I watch it weekly I loss interest so I just decided to let the episodes build up on the DVR and then watch all at once.

4. Awkward

I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this show. The main characters can get annoying at times but the supporting characters are great. It definately feels like it should be a hour long show rather then half hour because 22 minutes of airtime flies by. The show did a good job and establishing a love triangle that people can easily choose sides in similar to Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill. 

3. So You Think You Can Dance

  
The show gets so much better once the audition episodes are done because by then you have favorites but people with lack of screen time have the chance to steal the show. It's produced so much like American Idol where you can tell who the producer favorites are and I like to cheer on the underdogs.  The show also does a great job of showcasing so many different styles of dance that are fun to watch like Bollywood which I've gained a love for since I've been with my wife. 
 

 2. Rookie Blue

I love the fact that this show is filmed in Canada and they don't try to make it seem like America. They even show our colored money which is awesome. While the show often lacks the season long storylines I like in most TV shows it does a great job with the relationships between characters and the acting is actually good for a Summer show on Broadcast TV.

1. Hell’s Kitchen / MasterChef

My wife got me into watching Gordon Ramsey shows and I quickly fell in love with ever insult he tosses out during Kitchen Service. I always find it amazing how poorly most of the career chefs  do early in the season, at this point chefs should know that they better make sure they can properly cook a scallop or beef wellington. It's like the people who go on Survivor who can't use a flint.

I actually just started watching MasterChef this Summer but I actually like it better then Hell's Kitchen this summer but I think it's because I don't really like any of the cast on Hell's. Like any reality competition show it really comes down to having a good cast.

Top Ten: Love Stories

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.

Tuesday Top Ten: Holiday Movies

I love Christmas. It's the only time watching poorly acted movies are not only acceptable but the movies are mostly loved by all. The movies are filled with so much cheesy dialogue and heartfelt moments . I love cheesy movies all hour long but Christmas makes my love acceptable.

There were a lot of movies that didn't make the list. Honorable Mentions to:

A Christmas Story

Polar Express

The many versions of A Christmas Carol

Unaccompanied Minors
Jingle All The Way
The Santa Clause

Four Christmas

And two movies that I love watching during the holidays but aren't exactly holiday movies:
 

Serendipity

Edward Scissorhands 

10. I’ll Be Home for Christmas

My family rented this movie one Christmas from Midnight Video. One of my sister's loved JTT and this was her choice. I didn't want to watch the film but I ended up loving the movie. It showcases the material side of Christmas (He only goes home cause is dad promises him a car) as well as the warm, family side (He discovers he misses his family and promises to start going home every year.) Since that first time I seen the movie I started a tradition of the movie being the first Holiday Film I watch every year,

9. Muppet Family Christmas

I don't understand how anyone could not like The Muppets. The are just so much fun. And a Christmas special that gathers characters from The Muppets, Sesame Street, and Fraggle Rock is triple the fun.
 
8. Eight Crazy Nights

  
I'm not Jewish but I enjoy this film anyways. Like any Adam Sandler film it's stupid humor and some of the jokes are grosser then the ones in his live action films (I'm thinking of the scenes including a Port-a-Potty and Reindeer) but the movie showcases a nice story of redemption and forgiveness.
 

7. It’s a Wonderful Life

A heartwarming story that shows that success is measured not just by the money you make but by the lives you touch. The idea that the world would be different had you never existed has been tackled in other movies and TV shows but it is done so well in this film.
 
6. Claymation/ Charlie Brown Christmas/ Frosty the Snowman

I remember the first time I watched the claymation Christmas specials. I was amazed at how cool they looked and even through the technology doesn't impress me as much as it did as a kid I still love these films.

Rudolf was always my favorite but I also laughed Santa Clause is Coming to Town and Little Drummer Boy. I included Charlie Brown and Frosty in this section because I ran out of room and did not want to not leave them out. Expecially Charlie Brown Christmas which has a storyline that still rings true.


5. Gremlins

Any movie that can be a Christmas or a Halloween movie must be included. As a kid I wanted a buddy like Gizmo and I promised my mother if I ever got Gizmo I would not feed it at night or get it wet. He's still one of the cutest movie creations ever.


4. How The Grinch Stole Christmas

I have always been a fan of Dr. Seuss books and loved the cartoon as a child. I even enjoy the live action remake even through it loses most of the emotion of the cartoon. 

3. Elf

I remember working at Wal-Mart with Moose and Cory and rewatching this movie over and over again. As much as we had to watch it I never got sick of it and spent most of my shift either quoting the movie or watching the movie and ignoring customers. 
 
2. Christmas Vacation

I love all of the Vacation films but Christmas Vacation was always my favorite. I think it's the funniest thing Chevy Chase has ever done and loved. It showcases so many levels of what Christmas is. Dealing with relatives, shopping, christmas dinner, stress of not having money for everything, and the joy of decorating. The movie does everything right and makes you laugh because it reminds of your own Christmas experiences. 

1. Home Alone 1&2

 

The ultimate Christmas movie. At least the first two movies were (the are basically the same film) great. After that the movies just got sad. But those first two films did everything right. I love how the film shows the emotions of wanting you family to disappear and then realizing that Christmas is nothing without your family. Sure the movie is farfetched (The robbers would never have walked away from being nailed in the face with a pipe or falling into a wall. Regardless the movie is fun and good for multiple viewings ever Christmas.

Tuesday Top Ten: Bad Candy

This week I am doing the Top Ten Bad Candy with my wife. She will be posting her own list which you can find at her blog here:

Vanswisdom

Those who know me know that I have always loved candy. One of my favorite stores in Halifax is Freak Lunchbox which is an amazing candy store and has bulk Jelly Belly jelly beans which is one of my favorite candy.

But when you love something so much there is bound to be things that are gross. That is where this list goes. The candy I just can't stand to eat. Here we go:

10. Skittles Fizzle

 

 One of the mistakes in the Skittles brand. The powder used for the fizzle tastes gross and ruins one of my favorite candies.

9. Cookies and Cream Bar

 I love cookies and I love white chocolate so it mystifies me that I hate Cookies and Cream bars.
 

8. Hot Tamales

 I have grown a better taste to cinnamon now so I may need to try this candy again but as a kid I hated the taste of this stuff. 

7. Bit-o-Honey

The taste does not match the name of the candy. I can think of other ways to describe this candy that do not include the word honey.

6. Jones Soda Carbonated Candy

I love carbonated drinks so this candy should have been good but they fell far short of tasting good.
 

5. Coffee Crisp

 I hate coffee so obviously I'd hate it in a chocolate bar.
 

4. Turkish Delight

This stuff is deceivingly bad. It looks all tasty and chewy and then shocks you with how disgusting it is. 

3. Raisinets/Raisels

No matter how much they try I will never consider raisins to be good inside of candy. 
 

2. Thrills

I always found it amusing that they advertised that it tasted like soap. Do people really want to chew soap?

1. Black Licorice junk (especially Good and Plenty and Black Jelly Belly)

I've never understood people who like the way this stuff taste. When I get the black jelly beans in my packages they are the only ones I share with my dog unless I drop another color by accident.

Tuesday Top Twenty: Favorite Drinks

I am going to be very honest. I stole this blog idea from my wife. Just the other day she made a top ten list of her favorite drinks and since I couldn't think of anything to write about I stole her idea. 

10. Clearly Canadian

 When I was younger and living on the reserve I use to always stop at the convenience store and grab a few bottles of this stuff and walk across the bridge to hang out with friends on the New Brunswick side. Since I spent most of my time on Dover Street I bought a lot of this stuff. 

 

9. Mountain Dew Code Red 

One of the many things I loved that not many other people appreciated. Hence why it went the way of so many other things I loved like the Arch Deluxe. 

 

8. Eggnog

Even though it is available all year now I still only drink it in November and December. It is a Christmas season tradition to drink as much of this stuff as possible. 

 

7.  McDonald’s Chocolate Milkshake

How can you not love a drink that is can also serve as a dessert. 

 

6. Fruitopia

When I was in high school I drank very little alcohol. What I did drink was a lot of Fruitopia. I remember at this one party I was dared to try to drink 48 cans of the stuff. I made it to 33 before getting sick.

5. David’s Tea Gogi Pop

Nessa found this great Tea Shop called David's Tea. They have tons of great flavors but Gogi Pop is by far my favorite tea from there.

4. Barq’s Root Beer

When Barq's was trying to launch the product I remember the Irving in Campbellton was selling the bottles for $0.75. And being the sugar and pop freak I am I drank a lot of it. Of course I got hooked and they jacked the price up. I still love it. 

 

3. Raspberry Ginger Ale

For a long time I would drink Ginger Ale. It was always what my mom made me drink when I was sick so I always associated it with being sick. Then I saw the Raspberry flavor and decided to try it out. I loved it and slowly tried Ginger Ale again. It's hard to find now but there is a Pizza place in Dartmouth that sells it in the can. 

 

2. Hot Chocolate

Some people love coffee. Give me Hot chocolate any day. I'm not picky. I'll drink almost any brand of Hot Chocolate. Nessa made me love it more when made with milk. As a kid my mom would only make it with water. How I make it now depends on how lazy I feel. 

1. Pepsi (All Types)

I was raised on Pepsi. Thinking about it now giving Pepsi to a kid is a horrible idea. I was addicted to the stuff and when I gave up pop later in life I had a headache with a week without the stuff. I still drink it now and when I do I drink it fast but I can live without it now. I use to have to have it all the time.

There isn't really a Pepsi brand I didn't like. I loved Crystal Pepsi before they pulled it and I love Pepsi Throwback now. Give me Pepsi over Coke any day.

Tuesday Top Ten: Bands that I am surprised to learn that Nessa enjoys

I received a text just last week from Nessa. She had informed me that she now liked rock music and listened to it while she studied. This was a new development. Previously she liked select rock songs/bands but never really committed to liking Rock Music. She grew up in Ontario where apparently kids were more into Hip Hop then Grunge.

That on it's own isn't totally surprising but when combined with her new liking for Country music and it's like a whole new Nessa.

Anyways here are ten bands that she has recent;y expressed interest in from listening to local radio or the Galaxy Rock station on cable. 

Matt Nathanson

Stars

Luke Bryan

Blake Shelton

Drums

Foster The People

Theory of the Deadman

Young The Giant

Pearl Jam

Metallica