Duets

NOT my family... but a great picture. :)



Some of you may know this--I sing. It's something of a passion for me. My dad taught us all how to sing, and I intend to pass the lessons right on long to my kids.


Being in a musical family has it's challenges--someone always has to be the 'lead' singer, and that causes hurt feeling sometimes. However, I think that having the experience of growing up around music and always having someone singing SOMETHING in the home made me a better person. It's made me a "people" person as well. Singing shares with a very special part of you with an audience. I know that when I sing, I can show the most beautiful parts of myself to the people around me. Is it any wonder that we have shows like "American Idol" around? Singing lifts us up where we belong... all we need is love. Oh, I mean singing. lol. (what movie??? the love part...anyway.)


When I was in Hawaii I sang a lot more than I do here. I think it's because I like to sing with my dad, and he's in Hawaii. Singing with my dad feels like how I imagine trying to play basketball with Michael Jordan would feel. You know that he is AMAZINGLY and INCREDIBLY talented, but he just wants to play the game--just like you. :)

The most interesting thing to me is how my little brother has developed over the years. He used to hate singing. He never really felt like he was included when we practiced. But now, he is so AWESOME! The wonders of what young people learn on missions never ceases to amaze me. He is so talented. All my brothers are. Adam, I think, could sing us all under the table if he wanted to, and Josh is good at EVERYTHING.

It's so awesome to think that it all came from my mom and dad, sitting with us and teaching us to sing scales. We would sing "I wish I were a fish" and hymnals ALL the time. I would get so sick of it, but we sounded good in the end. I think that's where I got my mania for practice. Practice makes better! ;)

Anyway--duets.Aside from being an AMAZING movie (if you haven't watched it before--it is well worth the time and money to purchase or rent a copy and watch. I HIGHLY recommend it) I love me a good duet. I was reading my friend Latu's blog, and she mentioned her time in Hawaii. I got to sing a beautiful duet with her called "Another's Burden." I love singing duets. It gives you the chance to harmonize with and complement two voices. Good times. :)

Of course, I do like me a good accapella group as well--but I was watching an exerpt of the movie "Duets" and I found two of my favorite clips. If you know anything about the movie, you'll know that it is about competitive karaoke singing. The first link is not a duet but it is a GREAT example of sharing a piece of yourself with an audience. The second one is a duet. AMAZING! :)

Clip 1

Clip 2

The first song--an accapella version of Lynard Skynard's "Free Bird" is so beautiful. It's sort of a sad part of the movie, but I love it. The second version is also today's song lyrics. :)

WATCH THEM!!!

It's awesome, and well worth the time. And now for lyrics. :)

Try A Little Tenderness
As performed by: Paul Giamatti & Andre Braugher (Vocals: Arnold McCuller)

(Verse 1)
Ohhh she may be weary
Young girls, they do get weary
Wearing that same old shaggy dress
[Yeaaaaahhh]
But when she gets weary
[She gets weary]
Try a little tenderness
[Tenderness, Yeaaaaah]

(Verse 2)
You know she's waiting
Just anticipating
The things that she'll never [never ever]
Never ever possess
While she's there waiting
[Ooohhh she's waiting]
Try a little tenderness
That's all you gotta do

(Verse 3)
It's not, just setimental, no (x3)
[No, No, No]
She has her grief & cares
[Yeaaaaahhh]
But the soft word, [soft words]
They are spoke so gentle
Makes it easier, [easier]
Easier to bear

(Verse 4)
Ohhhh now, you wont regret it [nooo, noooo]
Young girls, they don't forget it
Love is their only happiness
[Yeaaaah, Yeaaaah, Yeaaaah]
But it's all so easy [Ohh so easy]
All you got to do is
Try a little tenderness
[Try a little tenderness]

[Chorus]
You got to squeeze her
Don't tease her
Never leave her
Got to (x6)
Try a little tenderness
Hey! Hey! (x4)
Yeah! Yeah (x4)
Hey! Hey!
It's all you gotta do now

[Repeat Verse 4]

Peanut Butter Month

So, I've noticed that when I blog about serious stuff---aka rant about serious stuff--that no one really comments to me, and when I write silly stuff, they do. A subtle hint, perhaps???

Anywho... not to chastise anyone that is reading. Thank you for reading! I'm just making an observation. On to the blog!

March--referred to many as the wonderful month in which Karyn was born--is also known as peanut butter month. :)

I think to myself--how appropriate as I have had an unnatural craving for peanut butter lately. I can't explain it, but I go out of my way to get some of that creamy deliciousness.

I CAN'T GET ENOUGH!!!

Seriously. If I wasn't worried about weighing 500 lbs, I would keep a permanent stash with me at all times. It's so divine. You just have to know that there is a heaven and that peanut butter is a major staple there... well, it better be. If it isn't, I'm not going! ;) lol. JK... But seriously. Peanut Butter is delectable.

You may wonder, as I often do-- who first thought of this culinary wonder??? Well, I looked it up, and interestingly enough, peanut butter has been around for a long time! According to about.com,

"Peanut butter has been invented and reinvented many times during history. Peanuts were known as early as 950 B.C. and originated in South America. The ancient Incas used peanuts and were known to have made it into a paste-like substance.

As a crop peanuts emigrated from South America to Africa by early explorers and then traveled by trade into Spain who then traded the product to the American colonies. The first commercial peanut crop was grown in Virginia in the early to mid 1840's and in North Carolina beginning around 1818.

According to the Corn Products Company, Dr. Ambrose Straub of St. Louis patented a peanut butter-making machine in 1903 and some unknown doctor invented peanut butter in 1890. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patented a "Process of Preparing Nut Meal" in 1895 and used peanuts. Kellogg served the patients at his Battle Creek Sanitarium peanut butter.

Also--a fun tidbit: One-half of all edible peanuts produced in the United States are used to make peanut butter and peanut spreads." (For the full article, Click Here).

Anyway, it looks like I am not the only one that loves peanut butter. I looked up the I Love Peanut Butter website, and I only have a mild obsession compared to some. :D

OH! I, and the best part... I went to my friend Stacey;'s house and they had HONEY PEANUT BUTTER! Really??? Honey and Peanut Butter???

Oh man. The goodness thereof is mind boggling. I promptly went to my local grocer and procured an ambrosial jar of the sweet and salty concoction for myself, and it has been exquisite perfection.

Can life get better?

 I submit that it can NOT!

 Wait... maybe it CAN!!!!

AHHH... >drool<

Okay. Enough of peanut butter. I'm getting hungry.

Also fun this week: I've been having mini "Medium"-a-thons with my friend Andrew. I was if-y about the whole deal at first, but I LOVE that show! It's a great story line and the show overall is intriguing. That, and his family is so AMAZING!!! Totally love hanging out with them. (Don't forget the Medium Salsa!!! lol.) Anywho--Medium. You should go check it out. You won't be disappointed!


Okay. Last but not least, the song for the day. Susi recommended this one, and she's right. The words are super awesome. :)


Tik Tok
by: Ke$ha

Wake up in the morning feeling like P Diddy
Grab my glasses, I'm out the door, I'm gonna hit this city
Before I leave, brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack
'Cause when I leave for the night, I ain't coming back

I'm talking pedicure on our toes, toes
Trying on all our clothes, clothes
Boys blowing up our phones, phones
Drop-topping, playing our favorite CDs
Pulling up to the parties
Trying to get a little bit tipsy

Don't stop, make it pop
DJ, blow my speakers up
Tonight, I'mma fight
'Til we see the sunlight
Tik tok on the clock
But the party don't stop, no

Don't stop, make it pop
DJ, blow my speakers up
Tonight, I'mma fight
'Til we see the sunlight
Tik tok, on the clock
But the party don't stop, no

Ain't got a care in world, but got plenty of beer
Ain't got no money in my pocket, but I'm already here
And now, the dudes are lining up cause they hear we got swagger
But we kick em to the curb unless they look like Mick Jagger

I'm talking about everybody getting crunk, crunk
Boys tryin' to touch my junk, junk
Gonna smack him if he getting too drunk, drunk

Now, now, we go until they kick us out, out
Or the police shut us down, down
Police shut us down, down
Po-po shut us

Don't stop, make it pop
DJ, blow my speakers up
Tonight, I'mma fight
'Til we see the sunlight
Tik tok on the clock
But the party don't stop, no

Don't stop, make it pop
DJ, blow my speakers up
Tonight, I'mma fight
'Til we see the sunlight
Tik tok on the clock
But the party don't stop, no

DJ, you build me up
You break me down
My heart, it pounds
Yeah, you got me

With my hands up
You got me now
You got that sound
Yeah, you got me

DJ, you build me up
You break me down
My heart, it pounds
Yeah, you got me

With my hands up
Put your hands up
Put your hands up

Now, the party don't start 'til I walk in

Don't stop, make it pop
DJ, blow my speakers up
Tonight, I'mma fight
'Til we see the sunlight
Tik tok on the clock
But the party don't stop, no

Don't stop, make it pop
DJ, blow my speakers up
Tonight, I'mma fight
'Til we see the sunlight
Tik tok on the clock
But the party don't stop, no

Political Affiliation

<-- Just a silly picture for you! :)













Okay.

This is my first and possible last political post. I recommend that if you don't want to read about my political views, that you wait to update on Karyn until the next posting. :)

I have to confess to all of you.

I have never affiliated myself with any political party. I honestly can say that I didn't even know what political party I would want to affiliate myself with because basically I don't think the government should have a lot to do with my life.

I have voted for Nader for the past two presidential elections because I refused to vote for men who would not uphold the constitutional rights that Americans are entitled to.

We are entirely too dependent upon our government. We should not allow the government to dictate our lives. We are born to certain unalienable rights, and the government is encroaching on those rights.

So, I have stayed away from political parties because I couldn't find a group with whom I agreed on at least half of their views with. That's the way it has been for the past... wow. Eight years.

So, I'm checking out my Google buzz, and my friend Carol posted a political affiliation test called the Nolan Chart Survey. I took it, and it said that  I am a libertarian.

What is that??? You don't know what a libertarian is??? Well, neither did I. So, I Googled it, and I came across this website.

I am a libertarian. I don't support anarchy or anything, but I agree with a majority of the views supported my many libertarians. Wow. I feel so... categorized. lol.

And Music for the day. I can't tell you in words how much I love the Eagles. This song seemed appropriate for my current mood. Listen to it, Love it, and Share it. :)

The Last Resort
by: The Eagles

She came from Providence,
the one in Rhode Island
Where the old world shadows hang
heavy in the air
She packed her hopes and dreams
like a refugee
Just as her father came across the sea

She heard about a place people were smilin'
They spoke about the red man's way,
and how they loved the land
And they came from everywhere
to the Great Divide
Seeking a place to stand
or a place to hide

Down in the crowded bars,
out for a good time,
Can't wait to tell you all,
what it's like up there
And they called it paradise
I don't know why
Somebody laid the mountains low
while the town got high

Then the chilly winds blew down
Across the desert
through the canyons of the coast, to
the Malibu
Where the pretty people play,
hungry for power
to light their neon way
and give them things to do

Some rich men came and raped the land,
Nobody caught 'em
Put up a bunch of ugly boxes, and Jesus,
people bought 'em
And they called it paradise
The place to be
They watched the hazy sun, sink in the sea

You can leave it all behind
and sail to Lahaina
just like the missionaries did, so many years ago
They even brought a neon sign: "Jesus is coming"
Brought the white man's burden down
Brought the white man's reign

Who will provide the grand design?
What is yours and what is mine?
'Cause there is no more new frontier
We have got to make it here

We satisfy our endless needs and
justify our bloody deeds,
in the name of destiny and the name of God

And you can see them there,
On Sunday morning
They stand up and sing about
what it's like up there
They call it paradise
I don't know why
You call someplace paradise,
kiss it goodbye.

Aloha!

Life is so weird. I seem to be floating along without a purpose. It's actually pretty nice. Nothing really to stress about other than work and school... but that's become sort of second nature. lol. Anywho...

I sprained my ankle. I went bull-riding and was thrown off. I'll be fine, but the bull got the worst of it I think. lol. Actually... the real story is sort of boring. I was walking down the stairs and slipped. Luckily I didn't roll my ankle or anything, so there aren't any broken bones... not that there would be. I have strong "Polynesian woman" bones that are impervious to injury. ;) Or as my mom calls them--big bones. They really are pretty big. I know I'm "overweight" but my bone structure is large and sturdy. I'm like an oak tree... lol. Have you ever seen the newest Hairspray? My favorite line is:

"Who wants a twig, when you can climb a whole tree?"

Ha ha ha ha!!! So classic.

I DJ-ed my first dance here in St. George. Aside from the irritating and incessant requests for slow songs (which I DETEST playing at dances...) it was super good and fun. I had a great crowd of dancers, and even got one of Susi's famous interpretive dances in there. It was way fun.

Not much else to report. I'm going to Page this weekend (hopefully) to see my grandma. Other than that, life is GOOD! :)

I leave you with the lyrics for a song that I all but forgot about. It's an oldie but goodie...

Love You Down - INOJ

It never really mattered too much to me.
That you were just too damned old for me.
All that really mattered was you were my boyfriend.
And babe, that's all that mattered to me.

Let me love you down, even if it takes all night.
Let me love you down, you know it's gonna be so right.

Remember when you drove me home from work.
I love the way you kiss me bye. Mmmm....
All of your friends think I'm just too young for you.
So tell em I can do what girls their age can do. Oh babe ...

Let me love you down, even if it takes all night.
Let me love you down, you know it's gonna be so right.
Let me love you down, even if it takes all night.
Let me love you down, you know it's gonna be so right. Oh....

It never really mattered too much to me.
That they were just too damn blind to see .
As long as I could love you down, baby just be my man.
That's all that mattered to me.

Let me love you down, even if it takes all night.
Let me love you down, you know it's got to be so right.
Let me love you down, Ooooooo
Let me love you down, I know, I know, I could.
Love you, down, down, Ooooooo
Love you down, down,Know,Know,Know,Know,Know,Know,Know,
Let me love you, I wanna love you, Down.
Let me love you, I wanna love you, Down babe.

Just be Honest.

Do you ever just feel under appreciated? or I guess the word I'm looking for is USED.

Holy crap! It has been happening to me for the past two years. I thought that I could put up with it, but when I look at people smiling at me lately, all I see is a baring of teeth.

I hate feeling like...well, like I'm being used. It feels almost like people only keep me around because no one else is willing to do anything, or that people are telling me (especially lately)... "We keep you around because you fill up space."

This is why I want to move away from St. George. I feel like everyone is so phony all the time. All I'm asking for is a little genuine emotion. ANYTHING genuine will do... anger, spite, happiness, friendliness... I don't care what it is. I'm just tired of feeling like I live in a town of mannequins. No one is real. It's so irritating.

I have NEVER felt so...ARGH! I don't even know the word. Insulted? IDK. (which is making me more irritated.) I'm tired of people 'tolerating' me. STOP PATRONIZING ME. I don't need your pity or your "good will."

If you hate me, tell me. If you want me to leave, tell me. I'm so tired of pretending to care.

Top 100 of 2009

So, I was inspired by my friend Andrew... and thought I'd do a Top 100. :)

This is a list of the Top 100 songs that I listened to in 2009. Enjoy, and if possible... educate yourselves. ;)

Karyn's Top 100 for 2009

1. Hotel California [Live]- The Eagles
2. Tom Sawyer- Rush
3. Let the Good Times Roll- The Cars
4. Soy Callejero- Los Mocosos
5. Rhiannon- Fleetwood Mac
6. Blue Skies- Noah and the Whale
7. Stay Gold- Utada Hikaru
8. Sunflower- Cecilio & Kapono
9. Pride (In the Name of Love- U2
10. Passion- Utada Hikaru
11. Pua Lililehua- Daniel Ho & Herb Ohta, Jr.
12. Long Train Runnin'- The Doobie Brothers
13. Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard- Paul Simon
14. Reelin' in the Years- Steely Dan
15. Doesn't Remind Me- Audioslave
16. Waterslide- The Bonedaddys
17. Have You Ever Had That Feelin'- Cecilio & Kapono
18. Takin' It to the Streets- The Doobie Brothers
19. Serpentine Fire- Earth, Wind & Fire
20. Walk Like a Man- Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
21. You Make My Dreams- Hall & Oates
22. Crazy On You- Heart
23. I Want You Back (Single)- Jackson 5
24. Tell Me 'Bout It- Joss Stone
25. Dangerous- Kardinal Offishall
26. Ooh Baby, Baby- Linda Ronstadt
27. Lost Without U- Robin Thicke
28. Let's Wait Awhile (Remix)- Janet Jackson
29. More Than a Feeling- Boston
30. It's so Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday- Boyz II Men
31. Here With You- Cecilio & Kapono
32. Friday I'm In Love- The Cure
33. One of These Nights- Eagles    One of These Nights
34. Bailamos (Van's Song)- Enrique Iglesias
35. Sherry- Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
36. Killing Me Softly With His Song- Fugees (Refugee Camp)
37. Steppin' (Out)- The Gap Band
38. Alone (Glee Cast Version) [feat. Kristin Chenoweth]- Glee Cast
39. Rythym of the Ocean- Hawaiian Style Band
40. Jesus Was a Crossmaker- The Hollies
41. The Trooper- Iron Maiden
42. Where the Party At- Jagged Edge
43. While My Guitar Gently Weeps- Jake Shimabukuro
44. Here, There and Everywhere- Jake Shimabukuro
45. Feelin' Alright- Joe Cocker
46. How Can I Get Over- Jon Yamasato
47. Back to Yesterday- Kanalo
48. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine- Lou Rawls
49. Dance with Me- Orleans
50. Neon Moon- Pound 4 Pound
51. Safe and Sound- Rebelution
52. Limelight- Rush
53. Smoke from a Distant Fire- Sanford & Townsend
54. You Belong With Me- Taylor Swift
55. Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)- Erykah Badu
56. Tin Man- America
57. Palehua- Amy Hanaiali`i
58. Silvery Sleds- Army Navy
59. Secret Lovers- Atlantic Starr
60. Pick Up the Pieces- Average White Band
61. Cloudy- Average White Band
62. Soul of a Man- Beck
63. And So It Goes- Billy Joel
64. One Drop- Bob Marley
65. Three Little Birds- Bob Marley
66. Feeling Just the Way I Do (Over You)- Cecilio & Kapono
67. The Nightmusic- Cecilio & Kapono
68. Love By the Numbers- Cecilio & Kapono
69. Come On Over- Fiji
70. Defying Gravity (Glee Cast Version)- Glee Cast
71. 21 Guns- Green Day
72. Need Me (Every Night)- Ho'okoa
73. Pop, Lock & Drop It- Huey
74. Bad Is Bad- Huey Lewis & The News
75. Perfect Beat- Pseudo Slang
76. Crush On You- The Jets
77. Cry Me a River- Julie London
78. The Middle- Jimmy Eat World
79. Mondo Bongo- Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros
80. Nightbird- Kalapana
81. Touch the Sky- Kanye West & Lupe Fiasco
82. Colour Me Life- Katchafire
83. Lahaina Grown- Lahaina Grown
84. All Night Long (All Night)- Lionel Richie
85. Rose Garden- Lynn Anderson
86. Bob- Macka B
87. Ain't Nothing Wrong With That- Robert Randolph & The Family Band
88. We Run This- Missy Elliott
89. Mississippi Queen- Mountain
90. Coffin Factory- The Mumlers
91. Sweet Caroline (Live)- Neil Diamond
92. Heartache- One Groove
93. Hellfire- Ooklah The Moc
94. How to Say Goodbye- Paul Tiernan
95. Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo- Rick Derringer
96. Best I Ever Had- Drake
97. Sensual Seduction- Snoop Dogg
98. Come Sail Away- Styx
99. Rapper's Deligh- The Sugarhill Gang
100. The Way You Look Tonight- Tony Bennett

A great bunch of songs. In retrospect, I listen to a lot of "oldies." Hmm... I guess you can't mess with the classics! ;)

2010!

HAPPY (belated) NEW YEAR!!!!

Wow. It has been FOREVER since I last blogged. I apologize for my busy-ness... and for my laziness. lol.

So, 2010. So far this year has had a lot of action. There are a lot of changes happening, and I have to say that I feel positive about all of them. I'm pretty excited for what's in store for this year. I feel like I actually fit into St. George for the first time since I moved here almost 4 years ago. I am also coming up on 4 years working at the Chamber of Commerce here, and that would make it the longest tenure I've had at any workplace. :)

A lot of you may wonder why I moved to St. George from Hawaii. I mean, it's HAWAII. But, I think that sometimes you get "stuck" in a  given situation when there are limited amounts of people and inspiration. Add that to my grandpa and the fact that I didn't want to be in the same town as my ex, and we have a winning combination.

But, regardless... I'm grateful for my time here. It's been awesome, and I have met a lot of amazing people.

So, just to cap off past posts...

The rest of Hawaii was great! I got to spend time with my brother Josh and his fam.

Aren't they CUTE?!

That is Lilia and Peter-boy. Gotta love their cute faces! Anyway.

As for copyright laws, I think they need to be re-considered.

I know it's sort of a let-down, but that's all I have right now. :) I'm in too good of a mood to rant, and I haven't downloaded the rest of the photos I took in Hawaii. Look at my facebook page in the near future for a photo album. :)

So, on to lyrics. I have been thinking about what song would be good to kick off the new year. Do I go new or old school? Folksy or hard edge? It has been a hard decision. I finally had to depend on iTunes' shuffling capabilities to pick one off my play-list simply entitled: "awesome." So, here it is. Another classic favorite of mine... and can I say that Neil Pearth is one of the best drummers of all time???

Tom Sawyer
--Rush

A modern-day warrior

Mean, mean stride.
Today's Tom Sawyer
Mean, mean pride.

Though his mind is not for rent,
Don't put him down as arrogant.
His reserve, a quiet defense,
Riding out the day's events
The river!

And what you say about his company
is what you say about society.
Catch the mist, catch the myth
Catch the mystery, catch the drift.

The world as the world is.
Love and life are deep...
Maybe as his eyes are wide.

Today's Tom Sawyer,
He gets high on you
And the space he invades
He gets by on you.

No, his mind is not for rent
To any god or government.
Always hopeful, yet discontent.
He knows changes aren't permanent,
But change is.

And what you say about his company
Is what you say about society.
Catch the witness, catch the wit.
Catch the spirit, catch the spit.

The world as the world is.
Love and life are deep...
Maybe as his eyes are wide.

Exit the warrior
Today's Tom Sawyer
He get's high on you
And the energy your trade,
He gets right on you
The friction of the day.