My Report for August (Borrowed from TCM)

I’ve done this type of post before where I write about what I am listening to, reading, and watching in hopes that it might inspire you to share what you’re absorbing these days. Plus, if you’re stuck on ideas, these might be worth checking out at some point in the future.

Musicwise, I am obsessed with the songwriting of Lori McKenna. I’ve trekked home for two days successively with her albums Massachusetts and The Bird & The Rifle. Both are worth picking up if you happen to run across them in a record store. Both are filled with songs that remind me of why I fell in love with music in the first place.

Bookwise, I am about to embark on the latest in the Harry Potter universe with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I’m curious to see how this entry matches the tone and feel of the other books in the series (seeing as how it’s actually a stage play authored by someone other than J. K. Rowling).  I’m also extremely stoked to finally have my hands on a little devotional book entitled Seven Sacred Pauses by Macrina Wiederkehr (which I am fully expecting to rock my world).

I’m revisiting the strange and wonderful world of Twin Peaks, the short-lived, quirky, sometimes bizarre series that is slated to finally get around to its third season 26 years after the last episode aired way back in 1991. Maybe this means that Firefly will have a much-belated second season at some point in the near future? A brown-coat can dream.

Moviewise, I seem to be stuck on a Ingmar Bergman kick. Lately, I’ve watched both Through a Glass Darkly and Winter Light, two out of a trilogy based on Bergman’s struggle with God and faith. I don’t necessarily agree with some of his conclusions, but I have to admire that he was a brilliant filmmaker who was much more interested in creating art with a message than mass-producing eye candy that sells a lot of movie tickets.

That wraps up my report for August. Stay tuned for the next time I get around to writing about all the media I’m consuming. As always, I’d love to hear what you’re listening to/reading/watching these days. I just may add it to my ever-growing list.

 

What’s on Your MP3 Player?

I have a Zune MP3 player. I think they’ll be the next big thing and eventully rule the competition. Of course, people said the same thing about Beta-Max and HD-DVDs. Not to mention New Coke, which I actually liked back in the day.

I have my Zune set on random, so I get a very interesting variety of music on any given day. For example, I listed 20 songs that came up in order:

1. Heaven’s My Home- Sam & Ruby

2. Low- Coldplay

3. The World’s Not Falling Apart- Dar Williams

4. Coconuts- Widespread Panic

5. Boom Boppa Boom- Jimmy Vaughn

6. Easy to Love – Ella Fitzgerald

7. You Ain’t Going Nowhere- Bob Dylan

8. All I Can Do Is Write About It- Lynyrd Skynyrd

9. Jigsaw Falling Into Place- Radiohead

10. In God’s Country- U2

11. The Night Time Is the Right Time- Creedence Clearwater Revival

12. Only a Memory- The Smithereens

13. Stone in Love- Journey

14. Eight Days a Week- The Beatles

15. Thriller- Michael Jackson

16. Let the Mystery Be- 10,000 Maniacs

17. 10 Rocks-Shelby Lynne

18. Able- Needtobreathe

19. Better Days- Robbie Seay Band

20. Journey into the Morn- Iona

I have an eclectic mix of classic rock, oldies, Christian, and Americana music. I also have 40’s big band, easy listening, country, rap, folk, disco, pop, and a few other styles of music represented.

What are you listening to on your iPod or other MP3 of choice? If you selected random mode and hit play, what would be the first 10 songs that would come up?

Inquiring ears want to know.

20. ion