Prince and Passover: Connecting The Two

This week I have been listening to Prince on replay.

You'd have to be under a rock and in hiding to not have heard of his passing.

It was the most heartbreaking news. I couldn't believe it. None of my friends could. Facebook blew up and the ache was instant.

Me. A minute (if that) after I heard that he might be gone.

The entertainment world has taken many hits in 2016. Many lives ended way too soon. Many ended as they neared their later years. Many people who represented so much of our youth. Prince among them. Taken way too soon.

Prince's passing leaves us raw and thinking of Michael and Whitney and how we felt when we heard they were gone. Prince's passing leaves us thinking of the way we used to sing his songs into our old tape recorders with our best friends and always get the words wrong. His passing makes us think of performers like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper and hope they're around for a long time to come.

Prince's passing stirs up emotions and grief. Grief for the loss of someone I never knew - someone I never even came to be in the same room with - and someone I and many others adored just the same.

But the timing isn't lost on me.

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Sit Down And Write, Even When You Have Nothing To Say.

I've been missing.

I have not posted in a week and I realized that just now when I went to look at my own blog. And coming off of a November full of posts? That kind of sucks.

But ...

I've been working and editing and writing and whatnot.

But ...

I've been sick with a damned cold that is making me crazy because you guys?

THE COUGH.

THE COUGH IS GOING TO DRIVE ME TO DRINK.

Or something like that.

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November is Winding Down: Where I Am.

I'm not doing very well with NaBloPoMo this year.

My November has been filled with lack of inspiration, a need to read and catch up on some television, and not enough writing.

My fitspiration has been lacking some, as well.

I've gotten myself on track this past week, minimally. Baby steps. Let's just say my MOVEmber isn't a success. Dang it. But I thank my mom for supporting my efforts, anyway. The money goes to a great and important cause, ya know? And VISA Checkout matched my donation, which is kind of awesome. So I feel a little good about it. Not A LOT good, but a little.

Also - last week I had no Thankful Thursdays post. No guest post and I should have written my own post and instead I got lazy and that was that. Le sigh.

This post isn't exactly inspiring, is it?

I'll tell you the best thing to happen this week. Are you ready?

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Music Always Moves Me.

Looking for some beautiful music to listen to this Valentine's weekend?

I've got it for you. Here. Now. Go. Listen. Dance. Do both!

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The Laurie Berkner Band Visits the Triangle!

* The Laurie Berkner Band has sponsored this giveaway to enable me to invite one of my readers to attend this event in Raleigh, NC on February 28th. Full disclaimer is posted below. *

If you're a parent anywhere you have to know who Laurie Berkner is.

And if you don't? I'm going to introduce you right now. Watch.

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I have no post title.

I've tried to title this post like ten times.

Happiness.

What makes me happy?

Finding the positives.

Meh. They all kind of suck.

I figure y'all like me better if I'm honest and true to myself. So - I have no post title today. Have at it. If you have one? Send it my way. Maybe I'll change it to your idea. Maybe I'll reward you with never-ending gratitude. Or somethin'. *wink*

Seems these days that there is so much flying around Facebook that prompts me to write blog posts. I've been nominated a handful of times (okay, fine, maybe two?) to do the positivity challenge aka things I'm grateful for and although I have not written a blog post in - oh - say a week or so - I'm thinking about the things in my life I'm happy about.

I usually write things that make me pour my heart out in a way that covers sadness.

And these last few days I've been missing my dad like a son-of-a-gun, so a few happy thoughts thrown in would be for very good measure, I think. Don't you?

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Stuck.

I'm stuck.

Last week I was in sponsored post mode. This week and then some? Nada. Nothing.

I've got the emotions. I've got the anxieties. I've got the thoughts but I just don't have the words.

I've watched a few recent episodes of Glee lately and cried every.single.time. I'm about to catch up on the New York episode and then I have last night's episode and I'll be caught up.

Why is it that emotional for me to watch these damned episodes?

I can blame it on PMS. It would be easy to.

But I think it's a combination of real life emotions and "TV" related emotions all smushed up together. Do you know what that's like?

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Sing into Spring with Disney Records!

* As an influencer of The Entertainment New Media Network I received these CDs to facilitate my review of them and was not compensated for this post in any way. Walt Disney Records will be providing both, a gift set of the four CDs I received along with a 4-pack of preschool CDs to two winners picked by me randomly. All expressed opinions are strictly my own (and that of my 7yo daughter!). There are affiliate links throughout this post. *

It's time to SING INTO SPRING with Walt Disney Records!!!

Join me today as I invite you to learn about the four CDs I received to review for you all. Take a look!

My daughter and I have been bopping around my kitchen to the soundtrack of Teen Beach Movie all morning. It helps that she has seen the movie a good handful of times and we have it on our DVR as I write this. I'm pretty sure we'll be watching it again tonight now that she's motivated into the mood with the music in the background of our day.

Our second CD in this gift-pack is Disney's Play It Loud. With music by Zendaya (of Shake It Up), Debby Ryan (Jessie) and China Anne McClain (ANT Farm), your kids are going to love this. Seriously. It might be on repeat wayyyy too many times - but hey, at least it's kid-friendly lyrics, right?

We've also got a copy of Austin and Ally: Turn it Up for you. With thirteen songs the cast kicks it up a notch and I have to admit, the music is pretty catchy. It's the kind you find yourself singing along with after a while and forget it's a "kids' CD" ... for a little while, at least.

And then of course, let's talk FROZEN.

I mean, what is there to say? If you haven't seen the movie yet - well - you really must. But if you haven't heard any of the songs yet, I must ask you - where have you been hiding?

This CD is one of the top selling CDs right now. The music won an Academy Award for goodness' sake. Or maybe two. Who knows? But really - if you and your kids don't know pretty much every song by heart you need to enter this giveaway. STAT.

I'm also lucky enough to give away the Preschool Sing into Spring 4-pack to one lucky reader. This bundle consists of the Doc McStuffins Soundtrack, Jake and the Neverland Pirates - Yo Ho Matey CD, DJ Shuffle (which I kind of want for myself because it's got a mix of Sofia the First, Jake, Doc, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and more) and last, but never least, FROZEN.

YES. This means that BOTH winners will be receiving a copy of the FROZEN soundtrack. What more could you want?

Click through my Rafflecopter below and find yourself a way to enter. I promise to make it as easy as possible for you.

And if you want to purchase any of these CDs on your own, I've got the links throughout the post for you to go shopping. Happy listening!

a Rafflecopter giveaway * As an influencer of The Entertainment New Media Network I received these CDs to facilitate my review of them and was not compensated for this post in any way. Walt Disney Records will be providing both, a gift set of the four CDs I received along with a 4-pack of preschool CDs to two winners picked by me randomly. All expressed opinions are strictly my own (and that of my 7yo daughter!). There are affiliate links throughout this post. *

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Dance with me!

Yesterday my daughter had her first school dance.

Not the kind of will you dance with me kind of dance we all remember loathing so much.

But the kind where parents attended and it was actually okay that they danced.

Ehem. WE danced.

I might have to admit that I danced more than my daughter did. My seven-year-old daughter. Have I mentioned yet that she's seven now? Probably not. I hold off on that sort of stuff these days.

Sometimes I look at her and see that face that's still the baby I held in my arms.

And then she puts scarves on us both and asks for her fancy shoes (with a request for high heels, but we're not there yet) and is ready to go to the "ball" at her school.

But then we get there and she's running around and sliding across the floor and laughing and crying over a ridiculous little plastic ball-pit type of ball.

It's amazing how she changes in the blink of an eye. Literally.

I know - that word - using that word - she's not really CHANGING as I blink my eyes. But at the dance? One blink meant she went from dancing next to me, all fancy-ish to running around like a little girl playing.  It was as close to literal as possible, so I'm going with it.

Anyway, it was so much fun. I lost track of what I was saying because I am sitting here listening to Pitbull and dancing in my chair. Honest. Dancing. In. My. Chair.

And this morning my daughter was singing about "$20 in my pocket ..." so it's all good.

Isn't it?

Because sometimes you just have to put the rest of your life on hold and DANCE.

Enjoy it. Feel it. Listen to the music. Sing along. Whatever it takes.

Just dance. Do it.

Even if you're sitting in your chair. It's all good.

Dance with me?*

*It's a video with the lyrics and no half-naked Ke$ha, promise. I needed it to be safe for my kiddo to watch with me when I show it to her later!



p.s. I'm linking up today with Tanya for her Small Victories Sunday link-up! Come on over and join me there.

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I think of you.

It's been three months now.

Three months since you've been gone.

I'm shocked that that much time has gone by. I feel the loss fresh as if it were yesterday.

I am triggered so frequently by the most random of things.

Walking through the grocery store I stop to pick up cantaloupe. I have no idea how to know if it's good or not. Fresh? Ripe? I want to call you but I can't.

I'm still in the produce section. Last time I was here I picked up parsley and couldn't find the dill. This time I grabbed celery and asked where the dill was. I found the real regular parsley. I wasn't sure what else I was missing. Where are you when I need you? Why can't I just call?

I walked yesterday. Hit the almost two-mile point of my stroll around the neighborhood. It was a gorgeous day. Absolutely beautiful. I checked my phone quickly and there you were. A beautiful shot of the girls and you from the last time they saw you together.

My heart cracked and I started to cry. As I walked.

I cried. I walked. I cried and walked.

I felt the need to push on. To show you I could do it. And so I did. Two miles.

Today I changed into clothes to work out. The sky is crying. It feels my pain. I tossed on my Bite Me tee from Joe's Crab Shack. I wanted to take you there but it's so far away. This summer, I thought maybe, but we didn't get to go.

Cotton Eye Joe. They play it. The servers dance in the aisles of the restaurant.

You needed to see it.

I'm not sure I'll ever be able to go back.

I'm pretty sure I won't want to.

It's a random sense of guilt. The things you'll be missing. I wish I could rewind time and bring you back so you could do them all. Each and every little thing.

But time doesn't work that way.

We're not allowed.

And it sucks. Royally.

The pain doesn't go away. The hurt and the ache.

The heart is broken. It will always be a little bit broken.

Some days I see you. I imagine you. Picture your smile. Hear your laugh. G-d, how much I loved it when you really and truly laughed. It's one thing that can make me smile. Now. Months without you. Without hearing your voice. I hear your laugh ... still.

I love you, Daddy. I miss you. Come visit me in my dreams when you can.

p.s. I finally watched this video. All these years and we never saw it.

Here is is, Pops, just for you. Enjoy.




* I'll be linking this post up with Shell's Pour Your Heart Out over at Things I Can't Say. 

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It's Christmastime.

Christmas time?

Christmastime?

Spellcheck isn't saying that there are requirements for two words there, but it's seemingly odd to have it that way. I don't know what it is, technically. But hey, whatever works.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

You know, if you know me by now, that I'm Jewish. I didn't celebrate Christmas with my family growing up. Extended family, for sure. But immediate? Nope.

And yet.

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Amazing Reads Gone Visual!

So this week's Amazing Reads has a switch to it. I'm slacking in the reading department this week, but I have loads of videos I've watched and loved to pieces.

So I figured I'd share some of them here.

It gives me an easy post, too. Heh.

What? It's the holiday season. I'm busy baking eating cookies and whatnot.

A friend shared this this morning and I was crying. Thank you, Conan. Warning, loads of language. NOT child-friendly OR safe for work.



I'm absolutely loving Kellie Pickler's new CD right now. Unfortunately the video has been removed ... ah, well!

Have you seen the WestJet video yet? If you haven't, please watch it. You'll believe in Santa Claus again if you do. Or at the very least in miracles.


Lastly, I shared this on Facebook earlier today. It touched me so. It's so beautiful. You don't have to understand a single word to appreciate it and find yourself moved.



* As I started wrapping up this post it reminded me of my friend Alissa over at Clever Compass who did something similar with her Best of YouTube posts this summer. So thanks, Alissa - for the inspiration to switch up from reads when you're not really reading... much.

Catch you all next week - and be sure to share your favorite reads with me - whether they're your own or someone else's - I love good content!

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When did you graduate high school?

And what were you listening to back then?

I have to thank The Dose Girls this morning. They alerted me to the Monday Listicles topic that has me flashing back to my senior year of high school, the senior prom, senior trip ... good LORDY so many flashbacks there.

And the top ten songs from that timeframe. Top ten songs I remember from senior year. EEK.

I graduated high school in 1990, my friends. That was QUITE some time ago.

And yet ... some memories last forever, don't they?

I can picture myself, me, my friends, up at the crack of dawn, boarding buses for our senior trip to Virginia Beach. Saying goodbye to our parents as we went off on our "own" for one of the first times ever. Sort of. One song that I won't forget from that weekend? Maybe it was a popular roller coaster song (who am I kidding, it totally WAS):



Oh my G-d! I just searched for some songs from 1990 and found a list of the Top 100. And? HOLD ON IS NUMBER ONE!!! Bwahahaha. That's crazy. Seriously. And now it's in my head.

Forever.

You're welcome.

OMG. I just found another song I SO remember. What did we even know about this crap at that age? Really. And yet ... (I remember every word!) And look at the hair! Ahhh!! The hair!!!



I think we had a routine for this one in my slimnastics class.

Yes. I did just say slimnastics.



Another one I really know way too many words of. Even now. Oh-so-many years later.



You have to know this one. It's the kind of song everyone dances to and sings when it comes on. No matter when or where you are.



And a classic:



And yet another:



And no 90s list would be complete without these guys ... who I can't watch without giggling. Look at the hair. The outfits. Oy.



This video kind of freaks me out a little bit until the singing starts. And I have to admit, I knew their music better when I was a college freshman. Obviously my tastes had - uhm - grown.



I need one more. I can't decide. Can you pick for me? Think back to 1990. What would your favorite song have been? And all you youngins - go away.

I'm kidding [no, really, go away]. Really. Just kidding.

Hope you enjoyed this trip down my memory lane.

Catch ya on the flipside!

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Imagination Movers #BackinBlue

* I am writing this post as on behalf of the Entertainment New Media Network. I am not receiving any form of compensation for this post but am a participating member of ENMN and working with them to help share this information. 

If you have a child under the age of - say eight, maybe? - you're sure to know who the Imagination Movers are. I mean, as soon as I mention them the theme song starts running through my head.

Imagination Movers, you got to think about it.
Imagination Movers, you got to talk about it.

Imagination Movers, you got to sing about it.
I think what this situation needs is some imagination!

Between that and Warehouse Mouse, I'm stuck in Movers land straight away. 

And there's good news ... the Imagination Movers have just released a new CD! They're back with Back in Blue. And they (and we) are jumping for joy! 

Back in Blue is available right now, so head on over to get yourself a copy!

Back in Blue on iTunes!

Back in Blue on Amazon!

This new album consists of 26 songs from season three (last season) of the Imagination Movers series as seen on The Disney Channel. These amazing and entertaining guys have written all of the songs and are so excited to get back into the entertainment scene for our kids! (Personally, I miss Nina. I would really like to be friends with her, too!)

If you'd like to hear more music from the Movers and find your kiddos entertained by them for years to come, please spread the word about their new CD. Download it today! Share it with your friends! Head onto your social media channels and offer them whatever support you can. The Movers are back and can't wait to head to your town to entertain you (and your kids ... of course your KIDS!). Enjoy!

* Disclaimer reminder: This is a NON-PAID POST. I am writing this post as on behalf of the Entertainment New Media Network. I am not receiving any form of compensation for this post but am a participating member of ENMN and working with them to help share this information. 

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In 400 words.

I'm forty. Forty years old. A mom. Wife. Daughter. Sister. Sister-in-law. Aunt. Cousin. Social worker. Writer. Dresser of a six-year-old. Launderer of clothes. Non-folder. Friend. Puppy and kitty momma. Animal lover. 

I’m an almond eater. Kale chips fan. Broccoli lover. Anything with melted cheese. Tomatoes with an ‘e’ and mozzarella make me happy. No balsamic required.

I’m an avid reader. I have 900 books on my to-read shelves. Or folders. I’m a recent Kindle user who loves paper in my hands. I have a pen and paper calendar and more journals and notebooks than you could count.

But I live by my laptop and phone. It’s that kind of world I live in these days.

I love to walk, I try to run, I love to dance. Zumba is fun but I don’t do it enough.

I’m recently on this I must go to all the concerts high and trying to do just that. Blake. Miranda. Adam. JT. All.

My allergies suck. I almost always cannot breathe and think that no matter what I try to do nothing will work as I will never get rid of the cats and dogs that are a part of our family. So there.

I’m a native NYer who lives in NC. I wear flip flops all the time. I try to ensure that my toes are always polished. I do them myself.

I’m addicted to reality television, but only when it includes singing, dancing or cooking. I won’t watch someone else eat bugs or worms, as I couldn’t imagine doing it.

I love riding in our boat and going super fast. Wind blowing through my hair, or my daughter’s. Moments of memories. I’ve come to love Go Karts even though I’m a non-driver.

Sparklers and fireworks make me smile. As do cotton candy and Italian ices. I miss NYC pizza so much I wish I could will it here. Not as much as I wish I could do the same with my family. Or my friends. And their families.

Some days I wish I could have everyone that means a lot to me living in one community. Or close enough that we could walk. And we’d have doors open and music playing and our kids would call each other’s mothers mom. Or mama. Momma. Mamacita. Kind of how we did growing up.

I want that, I miss it, I wish it.

Maybe someday.

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I let my mind race and I write.

Random factoids that are on my mind today.

* My nails are growing like crazy. I finally took my polish off and am letting them breathe. They're doing well. I probably just jinxed myself, but still. Growth is good.

* My very favorite ice cream place is now open for the summer and we went last night. I'm a huge vanilla fan, but I love love love their chocolate shakes. I had one, and it was in a red Solo cup.

* Which is a song I enjoy now and then.

* And makes me think of Glee.

* Which I am a few episodes behind in watching, but I will get there. Eventually. That's what summer is for, right? And the DVR.

* I'm a non-closeted pop-country song fan. I like some old school country, but the newer stuff? Yep.

* Blake Shelton, for one. I'm so excited to go see him in concert in August. Yahoo!

* I watched the tribute to Oklahoma the other night. Lots of country stuff. Hootie was on! He sang one of his new-ish country songs. And then yesterday I heard him on the radio and he was a blowfish again. And singing 'Let Her Cry,' which I love and flashed me back to when I saw them in concert, back in 1996, maybe ...? Wow. Long long time ago.

* American Pie is an earworm that will stick with you for a longggg time.

* As is Maroon 5's Payphone.

* Is factoid a word? It seems like it is or should be. I like it. So I'm using it.

* We went out on the lake every day of the weekend. Friday evening, Saturday, and today. Today was a daytime cruise. We had breakfast on the boat. Yesterday we had some friends join us and the kiddo loved hanging with one of her best buds.

* Sunscreen needs to be applied on the backs of one shoulders, especially near the edges of tank tops.

* Pringles makes a honey mustard chip. It's interestingly yummy.

* We went for BBQ today, but I just realized that they didn't have hush puppies. They did have awesome mac-n-cheese, though. And I got fried okra, but dang, it was salty.

* I started reading Inferno yesterday. Dan Brown's latest. I hope I find myself sucked into it. I need that kind of read right now.

* I owe you all a bunch of reviews. I'm trying to catch up but I do this to myself every year at this time. It's that pre-summer I want to read ALL.THE.BOOKS and then I start trying to and it just sneaks up on me and I'm not done with all I want to be done!

* I'm addicted to taking pictures. Did you not guess that already? I took a bunch out on the lake this weekend, trying to capture that perfect moment ... or two ... or ten.

* Here are a few of what I got so far. We'll see how the summer goes. I've got plenty of time.

* Getting outside is critical. It exhausts you in a way that not many people get otherwise. It even works on six-year-olds. Kinda' sorta'.

* And Vitamin D is a good thing. For you. Your kids. Your spouse. Everyone. Just be sure to use your sunscreen.

* It's amazing how beautiful Mother Nature can be, and yet, how terrifying. We got home the other night after the most still and peaceful boat ride and I turned on the TV to find out about pending tornadoes on Oklahoma. Again. I wish for safer days for those in the area, and wish for Mama Nature to go take a nap. A good one. A calm one. An uninterrupted one.

I hope your weekend was a great one, my friends. And I'll catch you later in the week. Hopefully with one or two of those book reviews ...

Off to figure out if we actually need to eat dinner or if our late lunch was enough. Hey - there's always Pringles!

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Have you heard about Time? ~ #spon #review

* I received a free copy of Rod Stewart's new CD Time by participating in this campaign via the One2One Network. I have not been compensated for this post, but did receive the CD for free. Upon completion of this post I am entered into a giveaway, but there is no guarantee I will win. At all. But it'd be kind of cool if I did! *

Time is the name of Rod Stewart's new album.

Album. Does anyone use that word anymore?

They use lingo (hee!) like, dropped. When is your new record dropping?

Record!?! Kids today don't even know what a record IS.

But Rod Stewart does.

He's been around in the music industry for four decades. FOUR DECADES. That's as long as I've been alive!!!

He hasn't released new music in twenty years. And here he is. Back with a vengeance. Okay, maybe a little bit softer than a vengeance. But he's back!

When I started to listen in, I heard the pure yet raspy tones of his voice. He sounds (and looks!) exactly the same. He really does.

She Makes Me Happy is such an upbeat song. And I like it a lot. It's catchy, and I promise I'm not just saying that because it's the first song on the album. Promise.

 *Oh, wait! I just realized that I have the video link! Here, watch!*



Now because the first song does have such a good feel to it, you expect that from the rest. And I believe you get it. There are the ballads interspersed throughout, but the power of his voice and the feelings he stirs up are constant and strong. Take It's Over, for example. Whew. I haven't even had the experience he is singing about and it's strong enough to impact me. Some of the ballads might feel a little droopy, or they did for me, but the songs that are good? They more than make up for it.

I have to admit that I have a ton of Rod Stewart related memories. I've danced around my parents' living room to his music with my aunt and cousins. And because of that, when I saw the opportunity to listen to his new stuff and talk about it with my readers I figured why not?

So, if Rod Stewart brings up some fun memories for you, consider picking up a copy of Time. It might be your kind of music, it might not, but test it out online if you want. Listen to a few clips and see if you're interested. Worth a shot, right? Someone like Rod who has been around for forty years has to have SOME kind of talent, right?

 I mean, how much TSwizzle and that Bieber kid can you listen to? Amiright? /guilty as charged/

I'm linking you up (non-affiliate) with Amazon's MP3 version of the Time, by Rod Stewart because I know that y'all don't buy CDs anymore. It's all about digital media these days, isn't it?

And if you decide to give it a try - let me know what you think. I'm curious to see if he meets your expectations or standards.

Disclaimer reminder: * I received a free copy of Rod Stewart's new CD Time by participating in this campaign via the One2One Network. I have not been compensated for this post, but did receive the CD for free. Upon completion of this post I am entered into a giveaway, but there is no guarantee I will win. At all. But it'd be kind of cool if I did! *

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The one where I can't stop talking ... #vlog

When it comes to entertainment you have to know by now how addicted I am to my shows. Whether it's General Hospital every.single.day (on DVR, so I absolutely need to catch up!) or NCIS every week, when I'm a fan I stick with a show as long as possible.

I've honestly watched GH since I was a kid. Seriously. A kid! I'd head home after school and watch with my mom or my childhood best friends. Sounds crazy, right? But I plan on getting my own child addicted, too. She's already there. She heard that theme song enough times in utero that she knew it by heart when she joined the world outside of my belly!

Anyway, I haven't vlogged in a while so I figured I'd give you a taste of what I'm watching now. So, here's my latest vlog chatter. I hope you'll stick around and watch the entire almost six minutes of it. Is that too long? Tell me the truth, I can take it. I might not change my vlogging style or lose my need or tendency to ramble, but at least I'll know - right? Enjoy!

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iTunes on my Windows 8x phone. #VZWA

I learned a while ago that I could load up my iTunes music to my Windows 8x phone, I just got lazy, worried I'd screw it up and - well - lazy, and so I never checked it out.

But man, it is SO easy to do.

And now I can run my Couch to 5K workouts to Britney Spears whenever I like!

So, let me show you how easy it was to do this.

I'll share the direct link for you via Windows here: Copy iTunes music to your Windows 8x phone

But hopefully my wording will be just as clear.

Basically it's this simple. Download yourself a Windows Phone app on your Mac.

Follow the step-by-step instructions once you've hooked up your phone to the Mac and you're golden. Seriously. It was crazy simple, I promise. And that link shows you nothing more.

So now, if you're like me, you're all about your music. Whether that includes Taylor Swift and/or Carly Rae Jepsen, or ranges all the way to Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton, you're going to want to get it onto this phone.

Oh, and you're totally entitled to opt for the teeny bopper pop stuff. Even if you've learned that you're older than Justin Bieber's MOTHER!

So, this Windows 8x Phone has Beats Audio. Have you heard of it? Yeah, I hadn't either. But it's pretty cool. It's clear, even on a windy day when I'm running (or trying to).

From the HTC website:

Exclusive built in amplifier for Beats Audio™.

Enjoy high-def, uncompromised sound for all you do. 
Boost sound with less distortion than other phones for the ultimate entertainment experience.

Beats Audio gives you an incredible music experience. The sound is clear, the music isn't painfully pulling on your brain or making you flinch, and you will enjoy a complete rhythmic experience. Rich sound and pure tone are just what you want. To the point that you won't need to use an iPod for your music anymore, and can keep everything on one device you carry with you all the time.

This article re: the best smartphone for music lovers over at Verizon is an excellent read when you're wanting to learn more about Beats Audio.

So, if you're looking to combine your MP3 Player of choice with your cell phone, this might be the way to go for you. Check it out.

For more info on my observations with this device, feel free to click on over to my initial post where I am testing out the new Windows 8x phone! And let me know if you have any questions. I'd love to help you answer them as I'm figuring the phone out for myself.

*I am participating in the Verizon Wireless Ambassador Program. Verizon Wireless has provided me with a wireless device and three months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product. 

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Things I learned this week ...

Let's start off with I am still watching the AMAs. Yes. From Sunday night. It's Tuesday.

What of it? I can learn things over time. It's a good way to remember them better.

* I'm old.

That should be enough, shouldn't it? I suppose. But I can't help but add more to it.

* I'm not just old. I'm older than Justin Bieber's mother. (Thanks, Jamie! SO very much!)

* Pink still rocks. She doesn't just rock. She totally kicks ass. She's Pink, after all.

* Ryan Seacrest continues to be every.freakin.where. I stopped watching AI after Simon left, but it doesn't mean I don't get my fill of Ryan. I wonder how he has any time to spend with Julianne. After all, she's a rising star, is she not? or she was. I don't know anymore.

Switch to other entertaining news stories.

* Rico whatever-his-name-is who plays Manny on Modern Family? Has written a book. Like a book you can buy. My life has no meaning, really. I've been writing since I could hold a pencil in my hand and this kid has a book. A published book?

Let's go back to the AMAs for a sec, shall we? The Backstreet Boys are handing out an award!

BWAHAHAHAHAH! They're old. And I'm older. So, yeah. I shouldn't laugh.

* Did you hear that Biebs and Selena broke up? How could I only just find this out? They're the perfect couple, are they not? I mean, my daughter knows the girl from Wizards is Justin Beever's girlfriend. This is gonna break her tiny little five-year-old heart. Poor thing.

* People,  I could seriously be Justin Bieber's mother. For real.

* Maybe he's dating Carly Rae now? She just won her first AMA. Good for her. That song that shall not be named is still one of my ringtones. Actually, it's my "go get your kid off the bus" alarm tone, but that counts, too, right?

I should just have titled this the Bieber post. He's on the awards now. Singing. I still say he's twelve, but whatever.

OK, where was I?

The thing is, his music isn't THAT bad. And as much as I want to dislike him, he's a good kid. Or at least that's what Ellen tells me ... but she also loves JT, and now that he's Mr. Jessica Biel we don't see much of him anymore either. Who thinks THAT's going to last, eh? Right. Me, too. Sure.

Did you know that I am an entertainment news junkie? I totally am. I think in all the years I've been blogging I've mostly kept it out of my stuff, but today I'm stuck. Truly stuck in it.

Hey, did you vote for your fave DWTS couple yet? Time's running out. If you don't want your favorite couples to go home you need to vote. They make it crazy easy, there's even a facebook app, cause who doesn't have fb these days, right?

I find myself voting against the professionals I don't like, honestly. I'm not a Karina fan. So as much as I try to root for Apollo, I'm not sure I can. Besides, Kelly aka Sam and ValC? They're SO a couple in real life, aren't they? I mean, you can tell, right? How they look at each other? And she's SAM. So #GH represent!

Bieber is still singing, people. This is the longest performance of all time.

Today I entertained myself for a bit while reading/skimming Suri's Burn Book. I laughed so hard a few times tears slipped out. I might have even peed a little. I'm old, remember?

Who the heck is he singing with now? She looks like Nicki Minaj with dark hair, so I know that can't be her, right?

Oh, and back to useless reality show people, somebody really needs to boot Mario Lopez and that Kardashian sister off of The X Factor. Come on, Simon, you HAVE to know what a waste of airtime that is. We could be enjoying the performances. And speaking of, Demi, sweet, sweet Demi. Please stop. Whatever you are doing to your contestants is just awful. Britney is lucky her kids have so much freakin' talent, or you both would be booted off so quickly, for realz.

OK, I'm done. I'm waiting to go all Gangnam Style since I saw a clip earlier and MC Hammer is cameo-ing. Rock on, my friends. Rock on.

omg - WAIT! STOP THE PRESSES!!!

XTINA IS PERFORMING! What the what? She looks kind of beautiful. Who is this girl? I mean, yeah, there are the infamous boobs we see 2x/week on The Voice, but her hair (I'm sure it's fake, but it's the effort that counts here, friends) is blonde, without a variety of dipped colors. She was totally channeling Demi for a while there. Oh, wait, never you mind. She changed her clothes. Now we see the fake tan. Ah. Sigh. Peace out friends. Also? Her voice still kind of rocks. I just wish she would stop calling herself Xtina. Team Xtina is for Twitter. Not for real words. CeeLo, Adam (yum, Adam) or Blake should tell you that if they consider themselves true friends. *smh*

p.s. If you missed me yesterday you can totally catch up on my life anyway. I was over at my friend Tricia's place. She can be found at Southern Spark and I was chatting about blogging, buns and boogers ... so to speak. So go check it out, wouldja?

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