Throwback Thursday, Watch This: “The Parent Trap” (LiLo version)

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Last night at the gym, “L-O-V-E” came on my Maroon 5 Pandora station. (Great mix right? I know!) It was a track from the epic 1998 version of Disney’s The Parent Trap. If this film doesn’t hold dear childhood memories for you, I suggest you go watch it as soon as possible. Lindssy Lohan was impressive, playing twins Hallie and Annie. Long lost sisters, one from California and one from England who meet at summer camp and realize that the one photograph they each have of the missing parent in their lives, are a perfect match “right down the middle.” Each sister has always longed to know the parent that they don’t live with, so the girls decide to switch places and pretend to be the other one. In the meantime, they also scheme to get their parents back together, so they can be one big happy family. It would be impossible for me to tell you how many times I’ve seen this film. It was somewhat of a ritual for my friend Beth and I to watch it together. Over and over. We knew the awesome handshake, we could recite the words by heart, and the fabulous soundtrack weaved its way through the rest of our awesome tween tunes (we had good taste – so this was sandwiched between The Talking Heads, The Beatles, Crowded House – etc.) Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson, (as well as Lisa Ann Walter, Simon Kunz and because she made me dislike her so much – Elaine Hendrix) were all fantastic in their respected roles. Even though this film debuted fifteen years ago (holy cow! I know!) there’s this timeless aspect to it, and every time it comes on TV I can’t help but watch it, it’s too compelling for me to change the channel. This is one of those movies that immediately takes me down memory lane, but also it just makes my heart swell with happiness – there are touching parts, and the humor is good no matter how old you are. It’s safe to say this is one of my favorite movies.

Wordy Wednesday, Read This: Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour

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I’m not gonna lie, this is not a recent read for me. I read Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour a while ago. By that I mean before I started keeping a log on my Tumblr, so like spring of 2011 I think. When I first read it, I didn’t even know how to blog about it because I knew no amount of enthusiasm in a blog post would do this beautiful story justice. Look, it’s May of 2013 and this book still gives me butterflies when I think about its awesomeness. Morgan Matson is a master of her craft. It seems that every time I go to write a post for Top Ten Tuesday on The Life of Mugs, I find myself wanting to include this title. It almost doesn’t matter the topic, I seem to find a way to work it in. I guess you could say it’s one of my favorites, and I have a really hard time showing favoritism for books like that – but it just seems to come naturally with this story. So much time has passed, so obviously my recounting the story won’t be as clear as it would’ve been in 2011, but I can’t not share it with you any longer or hold back from urging you to read this one as soon as you can. I own two copies of this book, which means if you want and you’re anywhere near me I’ll totally let you borrow one so we can gab about it afterwards.

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour appeals to me through so many different aspects: self-discovery, music loving, ROADTRIPPING, romance, summer, navigating grief, spontaneity, adventure…

When the book begins, Amy Curry is not in one of the greatest seasons of life. Tragedy has stricken her family, her heart is still aching, and now her mom has decided to uproot them across the country just in time for her senior year of high school. Amy’s mom is pretty protective, so in order to get from California to Connecticut, she’s enlisted an old friend’s son as a companion of sorts. Enter Roger. Of course, spending hours upon hours in a car with someone you’re going to get to know them – thus the opportunity for readers to see a friendship develop between Amy and Roger. What about more than a friendship? You’ll have to read it to find out! Where would the fun be in a road trip if you didn’t ditch the itinerary a little? And what about travelin’ songs? Any author who includes playlists in the chapters with artists such as Jack’s Mannequin, Band of Horses, Vampire Weekend, Nekko Case, Elliott Smith, Matt Pond PA, Damien Rice, Elvis, Broadway Tunes, – I could go on and on, but the point is she has phenomenal music taste and instantly scored a million cool points in my mind. Plus there are little tid bits of mementos like you’re viewing a scrapbook from pit stops along the way. There are so many layers to this story, as we watch Amy delve into emotional territory and baggage she’s shoved aside for a while, and we see her and Roger gain trust in one another. Just blogging about this story makes me want to go ahead and read it again.

It seemed that the more I read, the more overwhelmed I was with just how wonderful each aspect of the book was. Like if people could be books, than I had found my match. I hate to label things but really with it being May and all, this is a great “summer read.” (But if you see this entry later or you know, you’re in Australia or something, read it regardless of the season.) Be prepared because even if you’re like “ohh! Summer, adventure, roadtrips! yada yada” this story has some depth to it, as well. It’s one of the greatest character transformations I’d seen in a while. Even still, and look how many books I’ve read since then? Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour will always hold a special place in my heart, so do yourself a favor and go check it out.

Also, after you’ve read it go check out the incredible playlists from the book!

Turn It Up Tuesday, Listen to This: “Things That We Should Say”

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“Things That We Should Say” by Future of Forestry. I heard this song when I was driving to Orlando a few weeks ago. It immediately caught my attention because the vocals were, different. The sound reminded me of a song I’d hear in a movie that I really love (something indie-ish like Garden State.) After going to their website, I found out it’s a new song so it’s not like I’m completely behind the times. I did see though that one of their songs (“Someone”) was used in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy. (I still watch GA sometimes, and that’s always been one of my favorite parts – the music selection tends to be pretty awesome regardless of what’s going on with the story lines.) This is a pretty mellow song, maybe even a little sad – but the sound is smooth, so sweet that I don’t really feel that way when I’m listening. So! If you’re looking for a new song today, check it out:

“A thousand ways for souls to touch, the things that we should say…”

Throwback Thursday: “Take a Chance On Me”

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If you’re a TODAY show fan than you might’ve noticed yesterday when Natalie Morales (DREAM JOB, Hmmm?!) did the feature on the new ABBA Museum that opened in Sweden. I for one am a huge ABBA fan. Love. Them. I’ll even let you in on a secret that should make me embarrassed, but I’m kind of over it now. When I was in elementary school I called them “A-B-B-A” out loud. No lie. (I of course being born in 1987 had the lovely experience of also falling for the “new ABBA generation” pop band A*Teens, as well.) They’re connected to plenty of fabulous memories. The summer my mom had a class reunion and we stayed in a beach house and her best friend babysat. She let me blast ABBA in the living room and we danced around and then went out on the beach twirling and star gazing. Or the number of times me and my silly girlfriends belted out “Dancing Queen” over the summers, or the nights they were our soundtrack to hottub soaking and whispering secrets. Yeah, we were strange birds. (Why did I use past tense there? Nothing has changed.) Then when I was in college and Lizzi and I roomed together in London, ABBA’s greatest hits album became the soundtrack to our mornings. (Occasionally rotated with the Across the Universe soundtrack.) Then…we had the divine experience of attending MAMA MIA! I was on…well, I’d say cloud nine but it was more like cloud 9,000. Most of the summer we spent our nights gallivanting on escalators singing along to all the ABBA songs stuck in our head. (Especially at the Waterloo station.) Then I came back to Florida just in time for my mom and I to go see Mama Mia in theatres. There was this scene from that great show on The WB called Young Americans and they used “Fernando” and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Anyway. I am a big fan. I love all of their songs. Every time I try to narrow it down, I start off with like three and then the list just gets out of control.

I mean, talk about throwback! This video is from 1977. Seriously. Let’s not mention how I decided what song to share with you today, but you really can’t go wrong with any choice so I’ll give you “Take a Chance On Me.”

“If you change your mind, I’m the first in line…”

Wordy Wednesday, Read This: “My Life Next Door”

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I’ll be honest with you, a lot of times I judge books by their covers. I know this is a shameful secret, but I can’t help it. If you put some pretty beach scene, or some over exposed sunlight photo it immediately grabs my attention! I’m like ohh I bet there’s a good deal of summer romance or something in here. This can work in both negative and positive ways. While I had seen several good reviews for Huntley Fitzpatrick’s My Life Next Door every time I passed it at the library I kept thinking, “I’m not in the mood for that kind of book right now.” What does that even mean?! Shame on me! Anyway, I checked it out recently and I was slow to start reading it, I paused about twenty pages in but then when I decided to take a couple baths last week I decided it was a perfect tub read! So I dove back in, and boy was I glad.  It didn’t take me long to be hooked and I finished it over the weekend. It took turns I wasn’t expecting, and I love when that happens!

At the start of summer Samantha Reed is not a risk taker. She’s a good girl who obeys her crazy mother, and does everything to try and please her (whether that means working two pointless summer jobs, sticking to an 11 o’clock curfew no matter what) and essentially living a pretty boring life. Her one reprieve from all of this is that most days she climbs out on the roof to watch the chaotic adventures of the next door neighbors (who her mother has always openly looked down upon) the Garrets, as their lives unfold. There’s a lot a person can learn from seeing scenes of everyday life splayed out, but there’s a lot behind all of that, which can’t be picked up on solely based on sight. Lucky for Samantha this all changes when a new connection with one of the Garretts (a boy!) develops. This relationship doesn’t just change her summer, it changes her life.

While I thought I was going to be reading a young-adult fiction summer romance, I found myself in the middle of a story so much bigger. My Life Next Door covers a LOT of topics. From matters of the heart, to matters of the gut. Doing what’s right. Loyalty. Friendship. Love. Strength. And how all of these are intertwined in ways we can’t even begin to imagine until we have to. This story isn’t all fun and games with a little forbidden love affair. There’s trouble brewing with Sam’s best friend. Her mom, the politician is in a relationship with a guy who’s not all that trustworthy, and a “little” snaky, actually. Sam is challenged several times throughout the story. Someone she loves is battling substance abuse, the Garretts have their own struggles, her mother is dangerously swept up in her own summer romance, she’s coming to terms with getting to know herself as she really is – now that she’s starting to crawl out from under her mom’s thumb.

There are some extremely lovable characters in this book. It’s hard to not to smile (or giggle) at the antics of the Garrett siblings, sweet George’s inquisitiveness, and I’ll admit there are scenes that almost made me a little teary. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of this novel and would definitely recommend you give it a chance if you haven’t read it yet! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Turn It Up Tuesday, Listen to This: “Beautiful Goodbye”

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OK, it’s a surprise to no one I am sure that I’m on a big Maroon 5 kick right now. I go in phases with stuff. No worries I’m just alternating between them and my hoard of country music at the moment. (Except that because I am a major slacker and failed to keep my Mac software updated Spotify is no longer compilable with my computer until the disc arrives in the mail SO I can’t blare my “country jammms” playlist in the kitchen!) Anyway, my relationship to music has changed somewhat lately. Well, my relationship with life has been different lately. I am in a good place. I’m content. I’m happy. I feel “OK” with the way things are, and all that means I’m a little less (read: a LOT less) high strung, a little less emotional, and I really enjoy listening to music that makes me happy and doesn’t drag me down.

You’d think with a name like “Beautiful Goodbye” this wouldn’t be the case, but I’m telling you it has quite the opposite effect for me. I love to just turn it up (hence the choice for the day,) sun roof open, roll the windows down and belt it out. It’s the final track on Maroon 5′s latest album, Overexposed. If you’re not familiar with this song, (or the album) I definitely recommend you give it a listen. You might think I’m a little crazy because the song doesn’t make me sad, but I promise it’s a good one!
“I count the ways I let you down
On my fingers and toes but I’m running out
Clever words can’t help me now
I grip you tight but you’re slipping out
And I remember your eyes were so bright
When I first met you, so in love that night“

 

Turn It Up Tuesday, Listen to This: “Synesthesia”

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This is a big week for some fun releases! Today, Andrew McMahon’s solo EP album comes out, The Pop Underground. I had the privilege of hearing him play some of the new songs live, at his show at The Beacham two weekends ago, and let me tell you – you will not be disappointed. You know, during his set he had a few moments of some real talk where he just explained how that whole transitioning into something new, away from the familiar, into the unknown – it can be scary. You don’t know who’s gonna be there on the other side. And he thanked the audience, for our continued support of what he does, for showing up, for listening. I just wanna be like “hey, man! You could sit there at that piano reading poetry, or just stomp on it for twenty minutes, or even tell jokes and we would still love you. We’d smile and clap and cheer and consider it a gift to be there.” So yeah. This is the next step in his new journey and it’s an exciting one. As you know my love for this guys work goes back, wayyy back to his Something Corporate days when I was in middle school, then with Jack’s Mannequin. This isn’t the first mention of him here on Meg Says and it most definitely won’t be the last.

Yesterday Andrew answered fan questions on a reddit chat. I love stuff like that, he was really open and candid and he always seems to sincerely appreciate the kind words fans pass on. Anyway if you haven’t listened yet, jump on it!

I see colors when I hear your voice…

Here’s a youtube video my friend Keri took at the show:

Listen to This: “Highway Don’t Care”

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Happy, Happy Friday everyone! I know, it’s been a little bit since I blogged. Life got a little crazy, and things are finally “settling down” (whatever that’s worth) for the most part, plus I didn’t want to just be spitting out posts about my favorite music or movies when I hadn’t gotten any feelings down about Boston. (Read Believe in the Good on The Life of Mugs.) Anyway, now I’m back. And this is a song I’ve been wanting to share for serveral posts now, but before I just couldn’t decide and hello! As I’m wandering around my kitchen singing it in the morning I’m thinking to myself, it’s time to put it up on the blog!

Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Taylor Swift had one of the best performances of a song I’d seen during an award show in ages when they played “Highway Don’t Care.” I mean, it was honestly like stop you in your tracks awesome. Now it’s gotten plenty of radio play, and why the heck not?! It’s packed with superstar fabulousness, and it’s just a WONDERFUL song.  Tim McGraw and Keith Urban have always been two of my favorite country artists. To be perfectly honest I go through phases with Taylor Swift. When I heard her sing this on stage that night though? Yep! She’s still got it.

I mean, I don’t even think there’s much I could say about this song that would do it justice, other than you need to just stop whatever you’re doing right now, and give it a listen:

Listen to This: “Crash My Party”

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I know, you might be thinking “why so much country music?” But hey, next week I’ll have that Andrew McMahon show on my mind and it’ll be all switched up again. You’ll get over it So, Luke Bryan was named Entertainer of the Year on Sunday night, which was actually pretty refreshing. He humbly accepted his award. (He and Blake Shelton were hosts of the evening, so pause from that to collect such a mega award – wow.) Tears were shed. I was so excited for him watching from my bedroom. I’m kind of a sucker for most of the award shows. From movies to music, I don’t care I just love to see people who have been striving to achieve their dreams for a long time, reach this point where they feel like “woah! I made it this far…” or “wow, I remember being a little kid looking up to these people I’m in the same room with right now!” or “Man, this is a crazy road…” the people who are full of gratitude and awe over these moments. The people who are really dang good at what they do and deserve some recognition. (I also love seeing people in the same industry super excited for each other – like Miranda Lambert fist pumping in the audience as she jumped up so excited for Luke Bryan!) I mean this guy has had a long road to the fame that he’s reached right now. He’s been playing music for years, but it was awhile before he made it out to Nashville. Tragedy struck his family multiple times. Luke was actually literally all set to move to Nashville after he graduated high school, but the day before he was set to move his brother was killed in a car accident. He held off on the  move, and went to college at Georgia Southern, (while continue to play music) and then later he ended up working with his dad (a peanut farmer) for awhile. It sounds like he loved the hard work, but his dad just couldn’t let him not pursue a music career so he basically made him move! (Unfortunately, his family suffered another huge loss in 2007 when his older sister was killed in a car accident.) (GAC Artist Page.) The cool thing about all of this? These kind of experiences really shape you as a person, they’re the stories of our lives – so you know when he’s singing about something, he means it – it’s heartfelt. I think Entertainer of the Year is a well deserved award for Luke Bryan, he can definitely get a room moving, and he’s so talented. He’s toured with Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins and more and now it’s his time to shine. Luke Bryan has had some great hits over the years (including but not limited to: “Country Girl,” “Drunk On You,” “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” “Take My Drunk Ass Home,” “All My Friends Say,” “Rain Is a Good Thing,” and HELLO SORORITY GIRL THEME SONG “Sorority Girl” (there’s a Phi Mu shout out in there, yeahhh!) so you’re probably no stranger to his voice!

Anyway, with all that being said I definitely enjoyed the debut of his new song “Crash My Party.” So do yourself a favor, and check it out!

Ain’t a bar that can make me buzz the way that you do

Listen to This: “I Want Crazy”

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You know how I told you to be prepared for a few more country music posts this week? Well, here we go. I know I can’t be the only one out here who was watching the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday night? So, then I assume I also wasn’t the only one who saw Hunter Hayes debut his new single “I Want Crazy.” Oh my gosh. That boy. Every single song. A friend and I were texting about him, and he was like well, “what’s your favorite?” How do you have a favorite HH song?! When “Storm Warning” came out, I couldn’t get enough. I remember I was driving back to Tallahassee from Inverness just cruising along that long  open stretch of 19, and I looked down to turn it up and was like WHO IS THIS?! I grabbed my phone so fast to Shazaam it!

“She rolled in from the west in a summer sun dress
Hotter than the heat in July
With her wind blown hair it just wasn’t fair
The way she was blowin’ my mind”

Yeah, then there was “Wanted”

Anyone can tell you you’re pretty, yeah
And you get that all the time, I know you do
But your beauty’s deeper than the make-up

Then, “Somebody’s Heartbreak”:

“I guess that all I’m tryin’ to tell ya
Is a minute with you is better than two without”

I mean, for twenty-one? That boy sure is a sweet talker. He just gets me with every song! And have you seen him? He’s adorable. And that voice – so steady and strong. He’s a great artist, if you ask me. So I for one loved hearing his new song “I Want Crazy.”

I mean, SO GOOD. My favorite lines from this one are

I want can’t sleep, can’t breathe without your love
Front porch and one more kiss, it doesn’t make sense to anybody else

and

The world makes all kinds of rules for love
I say you gotta let it do what it does

He’s worked with Victoria Justice. He’s opened for TSwift, Rascal Flatts, and even The Flaming Lips. I hope he’s got years and years of music making ahead because every single he puts out, I find myself listening to on repeat. If you don’t know Hunter Hayes yet, I say check him out because you don’t wanna miss out! Who knows why I haven’t spotlighted any of his songs yet?!