My grandparents library is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas (as you can see in the picture). That tree has the perfect glow of warmth and the ornaments, some of which may or may not be wine glass charms because my grandma insisted on us putting them on the tree. Sheer Christmas perfection.
It was probably my last Christmas in this place, but this room where I have spent so much of my time and read so many books will not be forgotten soon.
As a flannel wearing, indie-movie-watching, Young-Life-leading, 20-year-old college student, it's pretty much required of me to be in love with Mumford & Sons. Thankfully, their folk-rocking British selves give me a lot to love. I think Mumford, along with the Avett Brothers, are the only quasi-mainstream band that everyone is allowed to love. No matter how big they get or how many Grammys they win, it's still totally acceptable to constantly have them on repeat in your car, home or headphones.
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I got the chance to spend this Valentine's Day with them and 7,000 of my closest friends. One of my housemates had gotten us tickets, which we came to realize were separate because all of the seats together were sold out. I don't know if you've ever been to a concert by yourself, but I was pretty skeptical about it. Did I mention it was Valentine's Day? Somehow we had managed to get one ticket that was directly next to the stage, and one that... wasn't. After a lot of shuffling around between seats and people, Mumford came on around 10:00 and being by myself wasn't really a problem any more.
If you've ever seen videos of the band playing, you know that they play with everything they have. With a fairly plain set consisting mostly of lights, they opened with their sophomore album title track, Babel, and from then on I was pretty much mesmerized.
I don't understand how Marcus Mumford, the band's frontman, can sing and play with as much power and energy as he does and be able to do that multiple nights in a row. Their passion was tangible and their joy overtook the arena. I've never seen a band who seemed to actually like each other more and who completely loved what they were playing.
The set list included favorites from both of their albums; strangely though, the set didn't include "Sigh No More," the title track from their first album. I keep trying to pick highlights but then I remember another one and I add that to the list too. Regardless, "The Cave" and "Roll Away Your Stone" were amazing; it felt as if the whole crowd was being swept away by the hopeful strains of guitar and banjo. Hopeful. I don't think that's a word often used to describe Mumford's music, but that's exactly how it sounds. I can't think of an instrumental break that gives me more hope than the one in the middle of "Lover of the Light."A good band is one that can make you feel something, anything.
After a quieter acoustic and a capella section, Ben Howard, the second opener of the night, joined them for the last song of the night, a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Atlantic City." Jake Clemons, sax player in the E Street Band, happened to be there as well. It felt like I was just sitting in on a jam session, and it was awesome, and I never wanted it to end.
If at any point in your life you're wondering if its worth it to see Mumford live... it is.
Watching American Idol became pretty much unbearable once Simon left, but occasionally there will be one or two people who make it worth your while. Case in point: Haley Reinhart. Full of sass, jazz and nonchalance, Haley won over pretty much everyone but the (completely insane, ridiculous) judges in 2011. I've sung my praises of her before, but she has prompted this post with the release of her awesome debut album, 'Listen Up!'.
I love everything about this from its' old school vibe to B.O.Bs guest appearance. Her voice is so extensive and there isn't much she can't do with it. I am all for the reviving of female artists who can actually sing well, and Haley is absolutely helping make advances in that field with her music. Another revival that I'm totally digging is the retro sound that people are moving more towards. This album has a whole lot of that, and a whole lot of tambourine, which is awesome. 'Keep Coming Back' is a sweet 70s throwback while the track 'Wonderland' sounds very 60s Supremes-esque and relies heavily on horns. She has a voice that is awesome for sad songs and showcases that quality on 'Undone' and 'Free' which is one of my favorites. I'm so glad that Haley wasn't another Idol castoff to fall off the radar, and I'm so glad that she's proving J.Lo wrong.
If you like Haley Reinhart then check out: The Supremes, Adele, Casey Abrams (another AI contestant and awesome duet partner of Haley)
here are three things i'm still obsessing over in this past week of London 2012 coverage...
USA vs. Canada Women's Soccer match. This was one of the best games I've
ever seen, and I was relegated to watching it on my phone (NBC Olympics
app, I love you.) but it was absolutely worth it. This picture is from
after Alex Morgan's 122nd minute goal, they really know how to make
something nerve-wracking don't they? But it all culminated earlier this
afternoon when they got redemption over Japan from last year's World Cup
final (I got to watch this game on a giant HD TV!).
Michael Phelps swam what he says was his final Olympic race, and I for
sure cried. I loved Michael during these games especially because he
seemed so much happier and relaxed, and still managed to rack up the
golds for the red, white and blue! I'm sad to see him go but am really
glad that I get to say that I watched the reign of the greatest Olympian
of all time. Also, this. You're welcome.
EPKE ZONDERLAND. This high bar routine is the absolute most ridiculously awesome thing I've ever seen. I love him. This was nuts. I don't even care that the US didn't medal here (I still love you Johnathan Horton and Danell!) if he didn't get the gold, I would have boycotted the Olympics from now on (yeah right).
okay, so it's friday... but let's pretend. here are three moments from London 2012 so far that I can't stop replaying in my mind.
Jordyn Wieber's floor routine during the team finals. She was so happy and it completely showed during that routine. I so hope that people will show this picture (or a video which isn't readily online yet) of this when speaking of her Olympic journey from now on instead of one of her crying. I am still so beyond happy about them winning, and a shoutout to Gabby Douglas (a Virginia native) for totally beasting in the All Around! And to Aly who I know has the bronze in all of America's eyes!
Ruta Meiluyte from Lithuania winning gold in the women's 100 breast. She's 15 and she won the first medal ever in swimming for Lithuania, and it was gold! Her face was awesome when she realized she won and she was crying from the moment she stepped out for her medal ceremony.
Missy Franklin, pretty much anytime she comes on the screen. She's 17, still in high school and has been training with the same coach since she was little. She is constantly smiling and so positive towards her teammates and opponents. She swam (will soon have swam) 7 races in her first Olympics and has won her fair share of medals already. My favorite was when she finaled in a 200 semi and came back 10 minutes later to completely dominate and win a gold medal.
I can't wait to see what epic moments next week will bring!
There are very few things in life that I enjoy more than the Olympics; every time the olympic torch makes a new stop I am glued to my couch for the next two weeks. During which I am more of a sap than I ever am the other 50 week of the year. Seriously, I cry like a baby whenever 1) an athlete's parents are interviewed 2) an American wins and the national anthem starts playing 3) a story of overcoming obstacles is told. I love the triumph and pride that comes with simply competing, don't even get me started on people winning.
When my mom and I visited the Olympic Training Center in CO Springs last year, where I might or might not have seen John Orozco training!
Being the Anglophile that I am, London being the host city only makes me even more pumped. I was supposed to be in London right now soaking up the awesomeness that is a country hosting the games and I guess taking some classes, but sadly (really sadly, I cried for like a week when I found out I wasn't going) the program was cancelled due to some scheduling conflict. So instead I'll be back on my couch, as per usual, which is fine I'm not still bitter about it. Kind of. I won't let my intermittent pangs of sadness damper my Olympic spirit though! I will yell and cry and survive heart palpitations along with the rest of the country.
Rumor has it that the opening ceremony will include a 40-foot Voldemort battling an army of Mary Poppins, James Bond, and of course ending with a sing-along to 'Hey Jude'. And the Spice Girls are reuniting for a closing ceremony performance. Be still my platform loving, girl powering, 90s heart. Oh yeah, and Rupert Grint carried the torch today. SO GREAT.
Here are some of my favorite Olympic Moments:
Beijing (2008) Men's 4x100 Freestyle Relay
a.k.a- the day Jason Lezak became a beast. remember sitting on my grandparents' couch freaking out while watching this. I'm not sure I've every been more excited about something that I was in no way involved in.
Athens (2004) Paul Hamm Horizontal Bar Routine
Comebacks seem to be a theme... If you don't know what happened, Paul had fallen on a vault attempt and landed in 12th place. After the next rotation of parallel bars he had made his way back to 4th but the chances of a gold seemed out of reach. He scored a 9.837 on this routine, nabbing the gold and also my love.
Beijing (2008) Men's 100m Final
INSANE. Just like I don't believe the Chinese gymnasts are over the age of 7, I don't believe that this being is a human.
Atlanta (1996) Kerri Strug Vault
Duh, does it get any better or more tissue-worthy than this?
2008 Beijing Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony is an awesome way to integrate culture and creativity into the games, and Beijing complete upped the ante with this one. It was so cool. Danny Boyle is going to bring it this year.
This is but a smattering of the Olympic moments that take up valuable space in my mind, and I am so looking forward to see what London will bring me. Phelps-Lochte showdown. Misty May and Kerri Walsh spiking the competition. Gabby Douglas dougie-ing all the way to the podium. Voldemort trying to figure out how a muggle like Usain Bolt is using magic to run that fast.
Don't miss anything, keep this schedule open at all times!
