So, I present my second podcast, complete with music, and randomness up the ass. This podcast clocks in at just over 30 minutes, and it took me about two hours to go through and edit it and remove all the um’s and uh’s that I say when I loose my train of thought. Also, I didn’t realize I breathed very loud, and I tried to cut that out as well.

Randomness is the name of the game, and I cover a bad idea (as in, I’m not genius when it comes to Math), questions people think but never ask, and a retelling of how I annoy the guys in class with me. Also, the obligatory digression is included, and I even noted it when it happened.

I’m feeling a little iffy with the sound, I’m not sure if it’s too loud or not, because everyone’s systems are different. I would appreciate it if people would comment, and let me know how I did, and whether it should be louder or quieter.

Music Included

• Ocean Alexander – Mad World, from the album Belmont.
• Ocean Alexander – Intro to Psyche, from the album Belmont.
• Ocean Alexander – Kid Icarus, from the album This Island Life.
• Ocean Alexander – Drinking Heart, from the album Tricked Out.
• Podsafe Audio – where I found Ocean Alexander.

Other Links

• Naked photos of Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy (see, sometimes I will do the searching for you. Not that I wanted to see these.)

So, that’s what’s up for today. As always, you can leave me a comment through Odeo, and let me know how useless this whole endeavor is.

Also, I’ve received confirmation from You that he and I will be producing a podcast together as soon and we work out the semantics. Mostly, whether or not Skype will work with my crap dial-up. Look forward to a podcast all about sex coming soon. Should be interesting.

—”The Only Difference Between Matyrdom and Suicide is Press Coverage,” A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out: Panic! At the Disco

This album came out in 1997, when I was a Freshman / Sophomore in high school. I don’t know what it is, but this album is just one that I (and my sister) have to have in our collection. I can sing every song without thinking about it. You used to quote song lyrics from the album, and I could finish off the song. It’s very strange that their second album never even touched the greatness that this first one did.

K and I were talking about the album, and how her favorite songs are 11, 12 & 13, while my favorites are 2, 3, 6 & 10. And the fact that we know the track numbers is amazing, because we don’t know track numbers on most CDs. Also, it turns out that both of our first websites were Third Eye Blind fan sites. I will admit that my fan site was a 3EB slash Everclear site, but that’s because I loved them both at 15.

I used to sing “Semi-Charmed Life” to myself when I did dishes at Taco Bell. I still sing it to myself when I’m walking home from the bus stop. I can sing “Jumper” with out any prompting, and “How’s it Going to Be” is the best break-up song, ever. Period.

I know everyone has a short list of CDs they can’t live without, and this one is definitely at the top of mine. If you haven’t heard it (and how could you not have, if you listen to alternative? They released practically every song as a single), you should definitely check it out.

Listening to this album just takes me back to high school, and that time in my life when I didn’t really have anything to worry about. But every time I listen to it, it still feels new and relevant and important. And I find another reason to love it all over again.

Just so you know. And Villains by The Verve Pipe is up there on the list. I suppose one day, I should actually write the list out…

— “Thanks a Lot,” Third Eye Blind: Third Eye Blind

I of course entered, but it made me wonder, a bit, at the variety of answers that popped into my mind. I suppose I had never really given it much thought before, but the things that leave me breathless are as different from each other as a flower is from a computer. (Please forgive the analogy, I’m still a bit under the weather.) The definition I’m using for the word breathless would be something that incites a strong, pleasurable, emotional response. And yes, that is my definition, so it won’t be found in any dictionary anywhere.

The thing that leaves me most breathless would be Fall Out Boy. Or, more precisely, it’s standing in crowd of 1000+ people when FOB plays the first notes of “Sophomore Slump or Comeback of the Year.” Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. There is something magical about listening to your favorite song live, while being crushed by strangers all singing the same song, knowing that a few of them feel the same way about it that you do. If you’ve never had that experience, I highly recommend it. It will be something you never forget.

I’ve heard FOB play “Sophomore Slump” live twice now, and the second time was that much sweeter, because I had traveled the length of the state (yay San Diego!) to see them, and particularly just to hear that song. If it had been the only song they played, it would have been worth it. It makes hearing it on the stereo that much more meaningful, because each time I am pulled back into the crush of people singing my favorite song at the top of their lungs along with me.

These aren’t the only things that leave me breathless, but they are the first that come to mind. Maybe they aren’t the most awesome, but they are the things that I will look back on and say “thank god for that.” I can’t imagine a world where I’m not left breathless regularly.

So, while I’m not running a nifty contest like Paperback Writer, I’m interested too…. What leaves you breathless?

—”Beautiful Disaster,” 311: 311

Anyway, since I get here so early, I tend to go back to sleep on the couch, and pretend to not notice people coming in and out of the office. Good thing I normally have my head covered, to block out the light and the sound.

So this morning, I made sure to bring my laptop so that I could waste my time instead. Currently I’m surfing through podsafe music, so I think it’s safe to say I’ll probably throw something into the next podcast. I feel sorry though, because I’ll likely add things that I like, not that anyone else likes.

For example, I’ve run across a blue grass (what, you don’t like blue grass?) song that I absolutely love, and is just waiting for the right topic to make it’s way into a podcast. And at the moment, I’m listening to an Indie band named Ocean Alexander, who are decently good. After a few discussions with Matt Matt about music, I figured out that I’d probably like Indie music, since that’s where all my favorite main-stream bands seemed to start.

I can’t really do this without being at work. We only have dial-up at home, and it’s so slow for downloads. I don’t really mind if it takes awhile for a page to load, but I’m not waiting 20 minutes for a song. I feel for K, who downloaded the entire Panic At the Disco album from iTunes on dial-up. I think it took her three hours.

So, this is where my morning will be lost. Listening to free music, and thinking to myself, “hey, I like that… but K won’t.” It will be weird having music tastes that alter from her. But still, nothing will replace my Fall Out Boy… If only they had some free music listed on podsafe.

Yeah, so I keep finding new things. I’ll let you know if I think I come up with anything good.

—”We Are So Last Year,” If Only You Were Lonely: Hawthorne Heights

Ah, after a weekend of breaking promises left and right, I do finally present to you my very first podcast.

Warning: It’s rather crappy. I had a sore throat while recording it, so it’s rather raspy. Which I suppose is an improvement over being overly nasally, which is my natural range. I decided just to go forward with it, or I’d never get it done. Also, minimal edits, or again, it would never get done.The podcast is about 25–30 minutes long, wherein I ramble on about nothing. At the moment, I can hardly remember what I talked about. I think I made vague mentions to other podcasts, and probably school, but other than that, it’s a big blank.

When I get home tonight, I’ll try to listen to it again, and figure out what linkage I should be throwing up here.

As always, leave me a comment, either here or through Odeo, and it will probably help me figure out what I’ll be doing next time.

And yes, there will be a next time. Even if no one ever listens, I’ll still be here, rambling on about stuff no one wants to listen too.

—”I’ve Got a Dark Alley and a Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth (Summer Song),” From Under the Cork Tree: Fall Out Boy

Now, that isn’t to say I haven’t found some bands I love on my own. Such as Oasis, Barenaked Ladies, and Coldplay. But the latest favorites, Fall Out Boy and Dashboard Confessional, are entirely her fault. And it doesn’t help that my iPod is full of emo bands that I wish existed when I was in high school.

I think I’m in love with these two bands. These are the boys I would have wanted to date in high school, if I dated boys in high school. There’s just something about emo that just… describes the everyday emotions that plague me. I live so much inside my head, that when someone puts in words what I’m feeling, I can’t help but fall for them.

For example, my favorite Fall Out Boy song, “Sophmore Slump or Comeback of the Year” from their album From Under the Cork Tree express completely the way I feel about words and songs.

We’re the therapists pumping through your speakers
Delivering just what you need
We’re well read and poised
We’re the best boys
We’re the chemists who’ve found the formula
To make your heart swell and burst
No matter what they say, don’t believe a word
…
We’re the kids you used to love
But then we grew old
We’re the lifers here till the bitter end
Condemned from the start
Ashamed of the way
The songs and the words own the beating of our hearts

This song always gives me the chills every time I hear it. When I heard it in concert, I think I very nearly wanted to cry. Because, you just have this feeling that they mean it. That this is their life, and they wouldn’t have it any other way, even if girls just keep breaking their hearts.

Dashboard Confessional came before Fall Out Boy, or, at least my love for them did. I have learned with emo music that the pauses in the music are sometimes contrary to the way they write out the lyrics. It’s like reading a poem with different punctuation than was intended. So, the geek in me loves lyrics that can have different meanings, depending on where the comma is placed. For example, in Dashboard’s song “So Beautiful” off of “A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar,” they are either praising a girl or deriding her. The difference between

Careful now
You’re so beautiful, when you’ve convinced yourself
No one else is quite as beautiful

and

Careful now
You’re so beautiful, when you’ve convinced yourself.
No one else is quite as beautiful

Both interpretations fit in the song, and it is up to the listener to determine what the song means. Like poetry, really. And perhaps that’s why I love these bands so much. Lyrics mean a great deal to me, and it almost seems like these songs are poems set to music.

And now, I believe I have a new band to adore. K just introduced me to Reliant K, and while I sit here going on and on about FOB and DC, I’ve been listening to Reliant K’s album “Mmhmm.” And K is right, as always. They are a blending of Fall Out Boy and Dashboard Confessional, and I love them too. I predict I’ll have this album memorized by the end of the week.

Thanks K, you’re the best.

- “Sophmore Slump or Comeback of the Year,” From Under the Cork Tree: Fall Out Boy