Nicked from Ian and Myutopia

Ian had this on his blog a while back and I liked it. I also got nuthin else today. I added a couple of things to it too.

Name a song that helps you wake up Jingo by Santana

A song you associate with hot balmy weather Caribbean Party by David Rudder

A song that makes you happy to be alive Love Shack by the B52s or 59th St. Bridge Song by Simon and Garfunkel

A song that makes you want to cry Don't Know Why I Didn't Come by Norah Jones

A song that makes you smile to yourself You Make Me So Very Happy by Blood, Sweat and Tears or Radar Love by Golden Earring.

A song that makes your ears bleed Roseanne Barr's rendition of the Star Spangled Banner or anything by either of the Simpson sisters.

A song where you think 'god, she's got an amazing voice' The rendition of Ain't No Sunshine that Calypso gave at her school talent show when she was 11. The kid sings all over the house all day so I know she can carry a tune but that's very different than standing on a bare stage in front of an auditorium full of people and blowing their socks off with an a capella version to the extent where the audience falls silent and then erupts into wild applause and a standing ovation. (How was that for a run-on sentence? Diagram that, I dare ya.)

A song where you think 'god, he's got an amazing voice Harry Connick, Jr.'s cover of Cry Me a River

A song that you could be very intimate with someone to or that you could fantasise about being intimate to Baby, I Love Your Way by Peter Frampton or Satisfied by Prince

A favourite song from the 50's Unforgettable by Nat King Cole (this was a close runner for 'god, what a voice')

A favourite song from the 60's Dream a Little Dream of Me by the Mamas & the Papas

A favourite song from the 70's Dust in the Wind by Kansas

A favourite song from the 80's Only one??? No way. Gees, I can't even narrow down to one group/artist.

A favourite song that is longer than 7 minutes in length Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf

A song that is so hypnotic and mesmerising you would commit a crime to it if it told you to I dunno, but there are a few that make me nearly homicidal. The Teletubbies theme song comes to mind. (Sorry, Lisa)

A favourite instrumental Snakecharmer by Ottmar Liebert

Favourite Scottish song Uuummm... Does KT Tunstall's Black Horse and a Cherry Tree count? Because it's either that or something bagpipey, sadly I'm not up on Scottish tunes.

Favourite cover version Killing Me Softly by the Fugees or Dancing in the Streets by Van Halen



This one I ripped from My Utopia. Again, I modified it some.

1. One book that changed your life: Well, the Bible would be an obvious one. I was scared and intimidated by it as a kid, partly due to a complete lack of exposure to it. As a college student, I was amazed and changed by it. Antoine de St Exupery's The Little Prince has also had a profound effect on me.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once: See above. Otherwise, I can't think of too many books meant for adults that I've read and reread aside from various books of poetry. Among children's books the list is just huge. Dr. Seuss's ABCs is committed to memory. The Kissing Hand, Guess How Much I Love You, several books by Kevin Henkes and Jon Sciezka(These guys are wonderful! They soooo get the way a kid's mind works, Scieska in terms of humor, Henkes in terms of relationships.)

3. One book you’d want on a desert island: Only one???? Ok, I'd say an atlas that included maps of the currents and shipping lanes in the area as well as a how-to-guide on shipbuilding.

4. One book that made you laugh: Well, several people at the beach looked askance at me as I giggled my way through Bill Bryson's In a Sunburned Land.

5. One book that made you cry: Haing S. Ngor's autobiography. He was the actor who portrayed Dith Pran in the movie The Killing Fields. His story is so utterly tragic and heart rending it makes the story from the movie look like a cakewalk. He prefaces certain chapters by saying sensitive readers may want to skip ahead.

6. One book that you wish had been written: Hhhmm, how about wishing that Thomas Cahill's Hinges of History Series (How the Irish Saved Civilization, The Gift of the Jews, Sailing the Wine Dark Sea) had been WELL written. The premise of the books fascinated me and I thought he had many good points. His style and chronology were just so convoluted it drove me insane. I was so excited when I received them all as a gift and so disappointed when I read them.

7. One book that you wish had never been written: It is regrettable that Danielle Steele is so wealthy when talented writers can't even find agents. We'll just leave it at that.

8. The book you are currently reading: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. I highly recommend it.

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: This list is extensive...Night by Elie Wiesel is on top of my 'to read' pile though.

10. The most recently acquired book: Anonymous Lawyer by Jeremy Blachman. A great big 'thank you' goes to James who had a drawing for this book. I was fortunate enough to have my name leap out of the fishbowl and into his hand. It just arrived in the mail yesterday. Yippeee!

11. One book you'd recommend that people might be reluctant to read: Go read The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. It's about the first publication of the Oxford English Dictionary. Yes, I know that sounds dreadfully dull, but the relationship between the main editor and one of the most prolific contributor of entries is one of those 'truth is stranger than fiction' things. It really will amaze you. Also, you will come away with a deeper respect for the writers who labored prior to OED, an appreciation for words, and awe at the massive undertaking of the project itself. Go. Now. Go on...go check it out of the library. Now! Why are you still here?


Ok, wait...tell me what other music and books do you folks recommend I check out? Some of my favorites were suggested by other people. One never knows....

Have a great weekend. And stop at the library.