On Being Comfortable With Yourself

It's not that easy being green,

Having to spend each day the color of the leaves,

When I think it could be nicer,

Being red or yellow or gold,

Or something much more colorful like that.

It's not that easy being green,

It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things,

And people tend to pass you over,

Cause you're not standing out like flashy sparkles on the water,

Or stars in the sky.

But green's the color of spring, 

And green can be cool and friendly-like,

And green can be big, like an ocean,

Or important, like a mountain,

Or tall like a tree.

When green is all there is to be,

It could make you wonder why,

But why wonder? Why wonder?
I am green, and it'll do fine. It's beautiful,

And I think it's what I want to be.

It's Not Easy Being Green - Kermit the Frog

This is my last September music post, even though it's technically October now. I'm feeling vaguely sentimental about this; it's been kind of fun. Anyway, this song is particularly dear to my heart, which is why it's the last one I'm posting. It's also why I have a Kermit the Frog pillow pet on my bed right now, but that's besides the point.

Finding the good things in other people is usually easy. Not always, of course. There will always be those people that are harder to get along with than others. But generally speaking, it's a pretty straightforward thing. Finding the good in ourselves, on the other hand, seems to be something of a lifelong quest. Or at least it is for me. I am more prone to forget my strengths and talents than I am to forget about other people's. I tend to be more brutal to myself than I would ever be to anyone else. I'm not always comfortable in my own skin--I tend to focus on the bad qualities more than the good. It's moments like these that I remember Kermit, or at least I try to. 

Sometimes, I think we all feel like it could be nicer being red or yellow or gold, or something much more colorful like that. Or that we feel that people tend to pass us over, 'cause we're not standing out like flashy sparkles on the water or stars in the sky. Maybe you're not smart enough, skinny enough, pretty enough, tall enough, rich enough, strong enough, witty enough, popular enough, etc. etc. And maybe you wonder why you were given your traits or your trials. But why wonder? You need to realize--whatever you are is beautiful, and when you start to love who you are and stop fantasizing about how happy you'd be if you were someone else, you can see that beauty.

So I'll allow you two verses to muse about why you're not good enough, but the rest of the song needs to be devoted to realizing that you're just right the way you are and loving you for who you are.

Happy October, my friends. You're all lovely.

-Kate

Michael.

Oh, Michael Jackson. I love you forever.

Say Say Say- Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney

I don't know if I'm the only one who has those days where they go off to get stuff done and accidentally spend 3 hours watching Michael Jackson music videos. He was revolutionary. Extraordinary. Fabulous. Absolutely unprecedented. One of the most incredible entertainers the world has ever seen. Michael Jackson is my love.

Thriller

Beat It

Smooth Criminal

They Don't Really Care About Us

Black or White

I want to keep posting them forever, but I'll refrain.

Also, Marina? Wanna play MJ Just Dance....please? :)

Kate

Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes

In case you were unaware, Paul Simon is one of my most favorite songwriters ever. Of all time. Him, Marcus Mumford, Sting, and Billy Joel are probably my favorite lyricists. Gee whiz, they write good music. So here's a nice Friday song for you. :)

Paul Simon - Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes

Happy Friday to you. Go do something you enjoy!

Kate

Gasoline, Milk, Country Music, and Home Depot

Judging from the title, you'd assume this post is a lot more exciting than it really is. I could tell you an extravagant story involving those things, but instead you're going to get two random facts, a story, and a song. The song first.

Just Fishin' - Trace Adkins

Working at a barn does things to your taste in music. So, secretly, I love country music. Plus this song reminds me how much I love fishing with my dad, and it makes me cry a lot.

Now, on to business.

1. I love 2% milk. 2% milk is my one and only, besides BYU chocolate milk. Dang it, I just love milk.

2. I like the smell of gasoline. I forgot about that until today. Do you want to know why? Good, I'll tell you. I like it because the towboats at Tom & Woods smelled like gasoline, and I had the best times of my childhood at Tom & Woods, catching frogs and swimming in the lake and fishing on the dock where the towboats were tied off. So...gasoline smells like childhood?

3. And now for Home Depot. I feel like I may have actually written about this event before, but it's good enough to be told again.
Once upon a golden summer, I went to Home Depot with my family to get paint. We were buying a lot of paint, and the guy at the counter told us it would take a while to mix it all, or whatever they do when they're getting paint ready. So we wandered off, looking for entertainment. I found mine in the form of paint can boxes, and the models thereupon. You know those boxes that all the cans come in? And they always have a picture on the front of some happy person sitting in a well-furnished room? Yeah, you can probably see where this is going. So I borrowed a pen from my mom and went from box to box, embellishing the boxes and happy people as I saw fit. I was transforming an especially cheerful man into a pirate when, in the middle of his fantastic mustache, my pen ran out of ink. I shook it and scribbled on the box, but to no avail. Right at that moment, I felt a tap on my shoulder and I knew I was in trouble. I turned around slowly to face the giant, burly, marine-like Home Depot employee that was standing behind me. I smiled in what I imagine was a slightly apologetic way, and he looked over my shoulder at the paint-can pirate, complete with earring and eyepatch. He raised one eyebrow and looked down at me. I felt completely ashamed and was about to offer a frantic apology when he reached into his apron and pulled out a ballpoint pen. "I just thought you might like to try this pen; I noticed yours stopped working," he said. I felt my jaw drop, and he chuckled a bit. I accepted the pen and mumbled a dumbfounded, "Thanks." He smiled and walked away, and over his shoulder he said, "Keep up the good work!"

Kate

Words to Live By, Part 2

Some days, all you can do is think about dancing chimney sweeps and post the rest of the quotes you started posting yesterday. Because some days are happy. Because some days Marcus Mumford's doppelganger is in your Book of Mormon class and there's a really cute trumpet player that smiles at you during rehearsal. Happy Tuesday to me! :)

Step in Time - Mary Poppins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu23HHmOG48

And the quotes.

"How are you even supposed to know if you're pregnant? Do you just wait 'til you get fat?"
-Steve

"I will NOT stand for this...woo hoo hoo, I WILL stand for it!"
-Jozi

"This is far too graceful for a man-hula." -Uncle Brian

"Even though I won't know, I will know! And I'll be mad!"
-Mrs. Van Orden

"Hey. Hey you. I can dress as gay as I want to while I'm making rap music!"
-Jozi

"Nuts in chocolate chip cookies are the end of innocence."
-Nick G.

"I dig possessed women..." -Jon-Michael

"Selling drugs...is okay!" -Caleb

"Just imagine the Easter Bunny and the Trix Rabbit greased up in a cage fight. That's always a good comfort for me." -John W.

"You speak Russian? Say something in Russian."

*drops to one knee and grabs my hand*

".........Stalin." -Me & Matthew

"If you're going to jump, you'd better do it and decrease the surplus population."

"Why are grown-ups always mourning for their lost youth?"
-Liam

"I have the type of low cheekbones that inspire that kind of faith in people."
-Andy

"How many thighs does she HAVE?" -Melody

"Why hast thou taken my scarf, woman? Returneth my scarf before the morrow or get thee down to hell and burneth in the infernal pit." -John W.

"What if Jon-Michael ruled the world?"

"Well, we'd all be up the creek without a paddle. And we wouldn't have any clothes." 

-Jozi & Jon-Michael

"I dunno, they're not exactly the type of friends I'd make people with."
-Emily

"I like my tea strong...and my women stronger." -Riley

"Well gosh, the government has been fighting pirates for years!"
-Henry

"I call him McDonald. Mick for short, Donald for long." -Mikey

"Guys, my waterbottle sounds like a flock of penguins." -Mary

"I'd kiss him all day and marry him my whole life." -Lauren

"I'm still feeling John's legs!" -Rebecca

"Those were my lips!" -Rebecca

"I didn't realize what it was...until I turned it sideways." -Mary

"Children tend to look a little winded when they hit adolescence."
-Rebecca

"I wish we were all wearing cute underwear." -Lauren

"Fine fellows--cannibals--in their place. That's what I always say."
-Mr. Davis

"Everyone calls him something different. Sometimes I call him Boat."
-Matt P.

"Look guys, this isn't rocket surgery." -Dr. T

"Culinary...does that mean food?" -John W.

"Wow, you guys are athletes with your faces." -Dr. T

"The world needs more humbability." -Marcus

"Little midget redheads. That's what I'm looking for in a man."
-Caroline

"Yesterday, I drowned. Luckily I didn't drown to death." -Tim

"I just want to grasp your Adam's apple. Is that so much to ask?"
-Jakey

"Nothing says love like a moose." -Wendy

"My fashion senses are tingling!" -Jakey

"Don't you come to California to take your pants off with the window open?"

"Actually, I go to Disneyland. With my pants on." -Miriam & Me

"Excuse me, my dress just exploded. I'm going to leave." 

"I bet I could kill you with my bare hands. Oh wait, I totally can."

"Nuns in a teacup: it's the new planking."

"Your coughdrop smells like the doctor."

"Yeah, it tastes like my doctor too." -Wendy & Me

"Since when have I been the enemy? I'm the fruit of your womb!"

"Is this ethical?"

"...meh." -Me & Riley

"You sound like I walked into heaven...and all the angels are drunk."
-Hipster Tipster

"Good morning. Why do you sound like a man?" -Dad

"Facundo Gilberto Rigazonni Lydamond!" -Kat

"I'm actually Presbyterian. We celebrate Easter, right?" -Lauren P.

"We are getting lectured about musical intuition by a person who only writes in parallel fifths."

-Lauren P.

"I want a beard so bad." -Catie

"If you ever need to borrow my outer layer of clothing, just ask!"
-Michael

"Okay, here's your pen. Now act like you're slitting my throat."
-Riley

"You need more seduction. Lose the shirt." -Jozi

"Just kidding, I don't have multiple husbands." -Eli

"It's time to plant your foot squarely on the path to manhood! Plant it right...*stomp* HERE."
-DF

"I am a barbershop quartet!" -Mr. Larson

"Hello, naked." -Jake

"I was actually seduced by a man." -Ree

"You know those people from Holland? The Hollish?" -Catie

"What are you doing?"

"Listen to this horse noise, okay?" -Me & Oliver

"Moses split the sea, but somebody else seems to have split Moses."
-Oliver

"I love this shirt. It has adjustable modesty." -Maren

"Sometimes I say silly things when my mind goes for a walk. And then I'm like, 'Well, mouth, it's just you and me.'" -Eli

"Riley's thighs." 

"Oh my gosh, I KNOW." -Jozi & Me

"Wow, I wish I had girth." -Justin

"Hail, yourself...." -Kat

"You think I don't know a buttload of crap about the Gospel? I DO."
-Andy

"Her mom's straight outta Compton. And by Compton, I mean Sweden."
-Andy

"I'll trade you phones if I can have your social life." -Catie

"You're like a teddy bear."

"...oh."

"With huge muscles."

"THAT'S what I like to hear." -Me & Christian

"Once saw a shahk eat an entah rockin' chah." -Paul

"Oh look: 'Enter Polonius with his man'."

"No way, can I be your man?" -Michael & Henry

"You are a keen theatrical goatherd." -Kat

*In his best Gollum impression* "Master carries heavy burdens..."
-Matthew

"I am paying attention...to you..." -Bao

"And what do we do with our food before we eat it...?"

"We...smell it!" -Bro. Dykstra and a random seminary kid

"Let's play, 'If I Were in a Coma.' Ready, go!" -Daniel

"A life condemned to wearing nothing but an XXL plaid shirt...that would be a good life."
-Henry

"I think I'll wear tights. They'd go really well with..."

"...your legs?" -Riley & Katelyn

"I held a pig yesterday and my maternal instincts were going CRAZY."
-Tayla

"You are gay, except for the gay part." -Kat

"I want to go to Senior Ball with Kent." -John W.

"My brain is a room full of beards."

"'What if Hamlet met the Mormons?' Somebody in here said that, and it wasn't me!"
-Mr. Davis

"Hey, did you bring a printer?" -Kendall

"Wow, you smell like a girl." -Jared

"Hey Uncle Dennis, I need something to help me fly. Do you have a jet pack?"
-Wyatt

"This toast feels raw. Is it safe to eat raw toast?" -Kat & Jos

"Thessadermicle? What's that?"

"...I have no clue." -Jos & Me

"But driving 100 mph is against the law."

"Really??" -Kat & Lizzie

"This makes me feel like a wizard spy." -Mama Moulton

"We sit at meals, we sit in class, and we sit at home. We sit in the Testing Center too, but we don't want to think about that right now, do we? No. We don't."
-Professor R.

"Well, how about we steal the White House and replace it with an exact replica?"

*mumbles of thoughtful consent*

-Some kids I walked past on campus

"I'm sorry, I was ovulating."

"He doesn't even know I have a blog. And I'd prefer it stayed that way."

"So, I heard you were pregnant. Whore." -Jared

"NO! We can't have Nutella for dinner and Taco Bell for dessert."
-Kat

"What on earth is creepy about an old man polishing his nails?"
-Michael

"You can't just leave pee sitting around the kitchen. I've made that mistake before."
-Andy

"You are toothpaste." -John W.

"Brevity is the soul of wit."

"Your mom." -Michael & Me

"Don't be late. You need that five dollars for Pokemon cards."
-Professor R.

"You must kiss the oboe note. But please don't kiss the oboe player."
-Dr. Saville

What rapture is mine--my life is hilarious.

(This is a note to me: Remember to post the Home Depot story next time you blog. The people deserve to know.)

-Kate

Words to Live By, Part 1

This isn't going to be at all serious, so if you're looking for inspiration, you might consider going elsewhere. Here we go.

"You're not as funny as you think you are."

"Hush, we are one." -Me & Clint

"We should handcuff them to the seats."

"And duct-tape their mouths."

"And kill their families!" -Me, Wendy, & John

"What is this? Do you hate God? Do you hate seminary?"

"I hate you." -Nick & Said

"The space between my eyes and my cheekbones could be filled with secrets." -Andy

"I'm sorry, when I get scared I make loud screams." -Jozi

"So what happens when I look in the mirror? What do I see?"

"....yourself, unfortunately." -Mr. Mac & Nick W.

"I'm like a bolt of lightning covered with skin." -Andy

"You have pig flesh on your shirt." -Michael

"Pass, O Thou Devourer of Unworthy Spleens!" -Andy

"You practically gave birth to sanity." -Yon Soo

"I can't take my eyes off your shoes. They're like a drug."

"You just don't have an evil-tron sense of humor." -Dad

"I have a fancy on Katelyn." -Jozi

"If you are repulsed by the idea of plural marriage, that is wonderful! Good for you! For crying out loud, you should be!"
-Bro. Pearce

"My bare calves were quivering in anticipation." -Andy

"I'm gonna come to your party and make ALL of your friends."
-Andy

"You smell good. Like fruit...and girl." -Matthew

"Are you wearing your lifejacket as a diaper?"

"Ha! No. I'm wearing your lifejacket as a diaper." -Mom & Darin 

"You have a speedo?! Josh just told me the news!" -Ivan

"How do we get this makeup off?"

"Baby oil."

"And how does one obtain this....baby oil?"

"By squeezing a ripe baby?" -Michael, Kat, Henry, Michael

"I just came over to remind you how effing good-looking I am."
-Jozi

"Good! Understanding him is the first step to seducing him!"
 -Katelyn

"Guys, I am SO mildly irritated." -Whitney

"Shh, I'm trying to taste this cave."

"Ah, it's the underpants!" -Henry

"Dang it! I just unbuttoned my shirt all the way for nothing!"
-Isaac

"Hey, a good fine forehead can make all the difference." -Jacob

"I feel like some people could be fooled into thinking Mountain Rush is like...vogue or something." 

-Henry

"There are hieroglyphics on this bread. I think I just ate the history of a civilization."

"I never know when it might be socially acceptable to suddenly sprout a mustache. I think it would make things awkward." -Michael

"He probably dressed up for villain day. As the Master of Crimes Against Fashion." -Kat

"What are you looking at?"

"Christian Garrett. 'Cause he's hot." -Kat & John W.

"Yes, I've been blessed with loose skin." -Matthew B.

"Guys, Kate and I are getting married to Vegas." -Romain

"No, no. You never get used to Bigfoot." -Chauncey

"Don't go to your meeting, Luke. I am your father!"

"Get thee behind me, Darth." -Mom & Dad

"That can't be one of the three Nephites. His biceps are only about a third of the size they'd need to be." -Chauncey

"What do you call your facial hair?"

"Roscoe." -Jozi & Mr. Davis

"Why won't you trust me with the gavel?"
-Michael

"I need a nap so hard right now." -Wendy

"Why do you only ever think about seduction and babies?" -Jozi

"No, he comes to teach us art! R-A-T, art!" -Isaac

"I can't get this jacket onto my legs! They're so cold!"

"You know, some people wear pants."

"...oh."

-Isaac & Dad

"You know those days when you start talking and then you start crying? Why am I crying?! Somebody tell me!"

"I only joined Little League for the apple juice." -Jozi

"I'm making a smoke-ship. Mast! Fffff! The ship itself! Pfffft! And the mermaid! Pshhhhhh!" -Riley

"Okay, I have a good story. So. Never mind."

"Well what if I just have an avant-garde approach to punctuation?" -Jozi

"Funnel cakes. They're like sexy waffles." -Christian

"Not like we're doing anything out here, just rollin' doobies!"
-Caroline

"Oh my gosh, I love your hair! It looks like the sunset!" -Macy

"I'm not comfortable with my butt tumor." -Clint

"So what explanation can you offer?"

"I dunno...I'm just like Fred Astaire!" -Tayla & Jon

"That is not appropriate."

"Kiss me." -Tayla & Clint

"Can you tell that this is a comb-over?" -Michael

"How do you like your bananas?"

"Chilled."

"Room temperature."

"I prefer mine lukewarm." -Me, Miriam, & Katelyn

"Joseph Conrad was a hipster."

"Oh, everyone has their inner hipster." -Jozi & Me

"You guys like loincloths, right? Isn't that the new 'thing'?"
-Seminary substitute

"Oh, I get it. This is about babies, isn't it?" -Isaac

"I was disturbed...but I wanted to be even MORE disturbed."
-Fletcher

"I speak giggle. I'm actually quite fluent." -Aubrey

"You're worthless. You're worthless like a blob of oatmeal." 

"She actually went by Valborg instead of Helga." -Kat

"If rape were a serious crime...stop it, why are you laughing?"
-Jared

Sorry that was so excessively long--part two is coming tomorrow or Wednesday. I just live a charmed life...me and my merry band of comrades.

-Kate

I Will Wait

I'm sorry if I've already posted this song. But I don't think I have. In any case, it's been stuck in my head for the past two and a half weeks, and I love it.

Mumford & Sons- I Will Wait
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDOoCUKCDJg

Mumford & Sons are inspirational. I love the poop out of them.

-Kate