Daily Theme Songs ?

Less than one month into the new year and I'm already failing at many of my "Two Word Resolutions" ... sigh ... oh well.

I am, however, doing well with at least one of them, although you might not believe it.  I actually have been Blogging ... just not here ...

As you might have guessed (if you read my blog in 2011), daily blogging became quite a challenge.  It's not a "difficult" task, but it is not easy to justify taking time away from other activities to sit at a computer and type out some thoughts.

Introducing my "Daily Theme Song" blog!

Ta da!

Each day, I will be selecting a song that fits two criteria:
 - First, I like it ... ALOT!  The song has to be a "favorite" on some level.  I'm not sharing "bad" music, but you are free to not like the music I pick.
 - Second, it summarizes that day ... or an event from that day that I want to remember.  I think music creates stronger links to memories in our lives.

So check out my new blog by clicking on the link above.  I've already put about a month's worth of "Daily Theme Songs" out there so you can get a taste of the kinds of music I'll be sharing.

Feel free to "follow" that blog too ... if you like music and/or want a daily song to consider as a possible theme.

I will still write some posts for this blog, but probably only once every 1-2 weeks.  As always, thanks for your support and comments!  :)

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Two Word Resolutions ?

To make them easier to remember and accomplish,
herewith are my 2012 Two-Word Resolutions:

- Read more.
- Keep blogging.
- Yell less.
- Temple Attendance.
- Reguler exercise.
- Give thanks.
- Strengthen friendships.
- Eat healthier.
- Hug kids.
- Kiss Karen. :)

Feels like a reasonable and really fun list (especially that last one!)

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You have HOW MANY kids ?!

I felt that it would be appropriate to make my last set of SIX "mini" blog posts all related to the same subject, while also being something I had a personal goal to write about this past year.  I found just such a topic about a week ago and have conducted enough research and observation to complete this "last leg" of my 2011 blog journey.

The subject: My 6 unique children

Blog # 360 - Who is Joshua Robert Case, Jr ?
Josh Jr (or Jah Coonah, according to Catalina) is my oldest son.  He is brilliant, and I'm not just saying that as a parent ... he really is!  Unfortunately, he faces the same challenges with his intellect that I once faced when I was younger and filled with such potential: he gets bored very easily.  I feel for him because, at 12 years old, he is beginning that journey from child to adolescent to adult ... and it is awkward!  He is handling it so much better than I did!  I am so proud of him and I need to tell him this more often.  He has been doing some baby-sitting (and not just for his siblings), which is not easy when you're in charge of people just a few years younger than you.  He has a very giving nature, even if it is masked by the desire to pull pranks on his siblings.  His skill at musical instruments is most impressive and is an inspiration for his younger siblings.  I guarantee that Josh Case 2.0 is a much better version (already) than Josh Case 1.0 ... and he has plenty of time for even better upgrades!

Blog # 361 - Have you seen my Benjamin Jerdon Case ?
Ben is awesome!  He has such a fun personality and desire to make everyone around him happy.  He is also a whole lot of emotion wrapped up in one medium-sized package.  When he does something wrong (even a tiny, innocent mistake) his head droops and his heart breaks.  I'd be very worried if not for the fact that a gentle hug or some rough-and-tumble wrestling and tickling completely reverses his mood.  Ben is also very smart, but he got my ADD and (bless his heart) his attention span is mind-bogglingly short.  I know I am too hard on him, with my expectations so high because I know what I've overcome with almost the same lack of ability to focus for very long.  He is going to be a tremendous young man!  He also has awesome hair!  :)

Blog # 362 - Brooklyn Rose Case, is she 8 or 16 ?
Oh my beautiful oldest princess!  She's called "Brook" by many of her friends and she is a heart-breaker already.  She is also already very mature for her age, but then she did start school much earlier than her older brothers because she made the cut-off for D-49.  Brooklyn is passionate and very emotional, but in a good way sometimes.  I love all of my kids' laughter, but it is when Brooklyn laughs herself almost sick that I feel like I have found a little piece of heaven.  I just hope she still loves me and listens to me in another 5-10 years.

Blog # 363 - Have you ever heard Savannah Joy Case ?
Odds are great that you haven't really ever heard Savannah ... for she is the very epitome of the word meek.  That is, unless you cross her.  She has a fiery temper, but it is almost never in defense of herself.  More often than not, she will "rise up" in defense of her siblings.  Of my four girls, Savannah is the one I think is most like her mother (my beautiful wife Karen).  She absolutely loves babies and playing house.  She is quick to go along with whatever anyone else wants to play and is painfully aware of how others are reacting to her.  She is quick to cry, but equally quick to smile.  She loves hugs and I love the way she wants to be near me whenever I am around.  She is an excellent example of unconditional love ... just like her mom!

Blog # 364 - Think you can keep up with Catalina Jacquelle Case ?
Well, you're wrong if you think that because no one can keep up with her.  She is a "speed demon" of ideas, and games to be invented, and pictures to be taken with the camera, and candy to be eaten, and tricks to be played, and books to be read, and on and on.  Cat is super smart, in the logical sort of way.  She is also the master of all facial expressions.  The best comedians can convey a message with just a raising of one eyebrow or crinkling of the nose ... they have nothing on Cat!  If creativity and curiousity and cuteness had one combined name, it would be Cat!

Blog # 365 - Is Myra Jasmine Case the last one ?
Immediately upon reading that Blog Post Title I know about a dozen people who are going to mistake this post as some sort of "announcement" about another kid being "on the way."  IT IS NOT!!  Consider the fact that she is the topic of this last post for me for 2011 and you'll get what I mean when I ask that question!
Myra is a little too young to define, but she is one thing for sure: fearless!  She climbs like a monkey, even after a few not-so-fun falls from places she should not have been able to get to.  She is also a momma's girl, which I know makes Karen very happy (especially if she ends up being our last child).  Myra is a redhead and her cheesy grin is already wrapping me around her little finger.  We're just not such good friends at 2:30am!  :)

So there you have it.  365 blog posts this year, albeit not exactly one-a-day as I had initially hoped for.  This was fun.  2012 will probably be closer to 52 posts (one a week) although my goal is more.  I will be posting a Daily Theme Song blog each day so be on the lookout for that if you love music like I do.  Thanks for reading along (even if it was only here and there).

Happy New Year !!!

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A "Six-Pack" of Blog Posts ?

That's right.  Here comes the second set of SIX blog posts.  You are indeed welcome for my decision to make them mini-blogs, and to put them in such an easy-to-read format.  :)

Blog # 354 - Do you like "Quotes" ?
Almost every day I send a "Quote of the Day" to my team at work.  I've used a variety of sources over the years and most in the team have enjoyed receiving them.  This got me to thinking about things that I have said often, which could eventually be quotes attributed to me.  I think that would be very cool ... to be "quoted" by other people.  What an awesome experience to be able to say "Yeah, I said that.  It was pretty profound wasn't it?!"  So here are three of my own "quotes" ... feel free to use them (and give me credit of course).  :)
 - Conflict never ends, but it can be resolved.
 - You can't do anything with nothing, but you can do a lot with a little.
 - Hope and despair are opposite sides of the same coin.

Blog # 355 - Well, What did you Expect ?
People sometimes misunderstand things, even when you are very clear about them.  White Elephant gifts around Christmastime are one of those commonly misconstrued situations.  In two recent settings (where the standard explanation of "White Elephant Gifts" had been clearly explained prior to the exchange) I saw people walk away from the experience feeling hurt, sad, upset, cheated, etc.  I am not intending to put those people down.  I understand what they are feeling and I genuinely feel sorrow for them ... but the logical side of my brain has to wonder what they were expecting?  If it was your first time, then I understand.  If not, despite my compassion toward you, ultimately you have no one to blame but yourself.  Sorry.

Blog # 356 - What's your Communication Style ?
I won't go into the specific details (because it might be an unknown and unintended copyright infringement), but at work we're beginning to use some software to help us assess our own (and our customer's) communication styles.  There are SIX categories, but only FOUR of them are predominant styles (the other two only make up about 2% of the population).  The FOUR predominant styles are: Emotions, Thoughts, Reactions, and Opinions.  The TWO less dominant styles are: Reflections and Actions.
I happen to be Thoughts, although I used to be Opinions (based on this survey you complete).  That makes a lot of sense to me because logic runs my life and I prefer to think things through before acting.  I also communicate in terms of "thoughts" much more than any of the other styles.

Blog # 357 - What is that in the Road ?
My wife will laugh at this but only because she has experienced it hundreds of times.  I love to run over things in the road!  Not animals or other living things mind you, but soda cans, tumbleweeds, paper bags, and especially snow and rain!  There's just something satisfying (to me personally anyway) about aiming your car at something in the road and hearing that "pffftt" as you crush it beneath the wheel.  My wife thinks I'm crazy (and she's probably at least partially right), but it is one of life's simple pleasures for me.

Blog # 358 - Wait, There's A Sportscenter App for the iPad ?
This post could have easily been called "Where have you been all my life?" because I have fallen in love with this app!  I stumbled across the app while checking out espn.com for some game scores.  The app allows you to select any number of sports teams that you want to "follow" and then it will capture Sportcenter videos and/or written recaps for anything related to those teams.  That alone is super cool, but it also has this alert feature which drops down a Final Score (or periodic updates if you want them more often) at the top of your iPad screen once the game has ended).
For years we've gone without cable or satellite TV and I always felt like I was missing out .. but NO MORE !!!  :)



Present wrapped by me
do NOT look like this!

 Blog # 359 - Who does the Wrapping at your house ?
Every year (especially around the holidays) there is always a crucial decision to be made about presents.  No, not what to get ... I'm talking about Who Wraps The Gifts ?!  In my house, it has almost always been me.  That's because I just love wrapping gifts!  There is something satisfying about covering a gift in wrapping paper.  I hate to have to use the "fancy" gift bag sort of wrapping.  I know some people love that, and it does have it's place.  But for me, I love the challenge of figuring out what sort of paper to use (we have at least a dozen different types for all occasions) and how to make it look the best (images on the paper centered on the gift, etc.)  I also get all too excited when the item to be wrapped is an odd shape and size, which will require some serious creativity to wrap properly.  I am still the undefeated champion!  :)

The last round of blog posts for the year is coming up ... see you soon ...

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A Novel Concept ?

Haters unite!  You win!  I lose!  You defeated me!  I have failed!  You are smart.  I am dumb.  You're the king of everything.  I am the steward of nothing.  Blah, blah.

PHOOEY !!!

Herewith are 6 of my final 18 blogs of the year, all rolled into one!  I will be posting THREE blogs, each covering one-third of the total posts I need to reach my 365 Posts in 2011 goal.  You say I'm "cheating" or "changing the rules" ... to which I reply ... so what?!  It's not your blog now is it?!  (See, those are two more questions since this is a question-based blog!)  :)

Blog # 348 - A Christmas Mystery ?
Every year for at least the last 5 years, my not-so-little family has enjoyed the same Christmas Story tradition.  My wife bought this book several years ago.  It is an advent calendar book, so there is a chapter of the story to be read every day until Christmas Eve.  The premise of the story is that a pilgrimage of people travel back in time to the birth of the Christ Child.  I do different voices for the different characters and we have added in all sorts of other fun traditions as we read it almost every day.  The kids' favorite part is to shout "To Bethlehem!  To Bethlehem!" along with Joshua the first shepherd (which happens at least once in every chapter).

Blog # 349 - 8 Days a Week ?
We've recently because just the best of buddies with our friends the Amsdens.  I've blogged about them before (she used to be our church choir director and he is a high-falutin' military man!) but we just love their family and it is so much fun to hang out with them.  In one recent stretch, we actually got together with Amy and Kevin 8 evenings in a row!  Most of these were after we had both put our respective kids in bed, but at least one of them included a "family" get together.  I am now convinced that our strengthening friendship with them is at least one of the primary reasons we were inspired to move into our current house (almost two years ago now).  You see, the Amsdens live just a few hundred yards down the street from us and we'd likely never have been blessed by their friendship if we hadn't moved to where we did.

Blog # 350 - It's a Calendar!  Who Cares ?
Well, I do!  Since I became a Supervisor at Progressive a little over 5 years ago, I have created a monthly calendar for my team.  They have changed greatly over the years, but each month I am quite proud of the finished result.  I have found complementary colors to use for each months theme and have slowly begun to add a more diverse listing of holidays and other cultural events on them.  It is also fun to look back on them as a sort of "Journal" because I always list my vacations and training classes (so my team knows where I am).

Blog # 351 - Isn't That Our Waitress ?
While sitting at our table at Applebee's a few weeks ago (we had taken Josh Jr out for a special dinner to celebrate his birthday - which was way back in October) a strange thing happened.  I looked to the left toward the bar area and saw an odd sight: our waitress appeared to be sitting at a table with some other people and just laughing and having a good time.  I was about to be offended when I realized ... the tables in the bar area were elevated and she was actually standing right next to the table and getting orders from those customers.  I wonder if that has happened to anyone else?

Blog # 352 - Am I addicted to WWF ?
My cousin Matt might think I mean the World Wrestling Federation, but I am actually talking about that Zynga Game which is very popular right now on Facebook and iEverything ... Words With Friends.  A friend of mine (he dated my sister for a while a long time ago) invited me to play and I hated the game on Facebook ... but on the iPad ... it's a whole different story!  I love this game!  The board is colorful and it is clearly built for iUsers because everything is touch screen and drag-and-drop.  I even signed up on WWFStats so Mike and I can track our scores against each other (we are pretty evenly matched).  On the iPad this is the first place I go ... I may need help!  :)

Blog # 353 - Ever had Del Taco ?
One day, several months ago, a friend of mine at work offered to pick up some tacos from Del Taco ... I just had to pay for them myself.  He said they only cost 39 cents and I immediately wondered about the quality of what I was about to purchase and eat.  I had him get me 5 tacos (I wasn't that hungry but at 39 cents it seems odd to just get one or two).  They were actually VERY GOOD (in relation to the cost of course)!  As with anything "too good to be true" that 39 cent deal didn't last long.  But the tacos are now only 59 cents, so for around 3 bucks I can eat 5 of them (which is plenty to fill me).  They also have a deal on Tuesdays where you can get three tacos for a dollar.  So we did that one night as a family for dinner and only spent about 8 bucks!  I am definitely a fan of this place now!

Stay tuned for the next round of 6 more blogs all rolled into one ...

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What's your LEAST favorite "Christmas" song?

I did NOT link any of these songs to this blog on purpose!

If you haven't heard them, consider yourself lucky!

Here are my 5 LEAST favorite songs:
(they are either overplayed or confusing or insensitive, etc.)

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

by Bruce Springsteen

The song was recorded live and I'm sure it was a cool experience at that time ... but it just seems so contrived with "the Boss" laughing so hard at the end that he can't sing, blah, blah, blah. And I bet by now Clarence has practiced real hard and had santa bring him several new saxophones!

My Favorite Things

by Barbra Streisand

This song itself makes NO SENSE as a Christmas song!  Sure they are gifts and so that's remotely related, but Sir-Mix-Alot likes big butts ... and we don't hear about that every December.

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

By Jackson 5

It should be a cute song, but I'm not a fan of young Michael Jackson (his voice and stage presence were still amazing ... I just don't like the tunes).  My big beef with this song is that it can be very confusing to little kids, who don't catch the humor.  I know that's supposed to be part of the humor of the song, but I don't like it.

Do They Know It's Christmas?

by Band-Aid

This is a horrible, horrible song. It is a perfect example of the lack of global awareness and "we are so much better than you" mentality the rest of the world sees the United States as viewing them with.  Let's break down just a few of the lines from this uber-famous song:
"There won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime." Um, really?! DUH! Might have to do with the proximity to the equator ... oh and also that southern hemisphere seasonal thing.
"Where nothing ever grows. No rain or river flows." Are you kidding me?! Ever hear of the Nile?! It's only a little bigger than a stream ... but I think it flows.

Last Christmas

by WHAM!

(but all versions are equally terrible)

I am not a fan of what seems like lazy lyric writing.  Although it fits into the song and melody, the chorus is just awful.  Let's take it in two parts:
"Last Christmas I gave you my heart and the very next day, you gave it away."
First, if your gift to this other person was just ... your heart ... then YOU may be the worst gift-giver ever.  No wonder they re-gifted it!
Second, honestly how could they actually do this?  Even if you're talking about it metaphorically, how does someone give your heart away?  "Hey dude ... here's the heart of this other person.  Enjoy!")
"This year, to save ME from tears, I'll give it to somebody special (special)."
First, gift-giving is supposed to be a self-less not selfish act ... and we're back to you being the worst gift-giver ever.
Second, your version of "someone special" might need a closer look ... 'cause last year you thought I was special ... so perhaps you are just a horrible judge of potential soul mates (or whatever you hoped I was).
Overall, this is just a depressing song and that is NOT the way I prefer to celebrate the holiday ... but they play this song over and over and over again!

It had to be done ... now I can move on with my life ...

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What's your favorite Christmas song ?

I've come to the conclusion that the Title Question of this post is absolutely impossible for me to answer.  There is NO WAY I can even limit my favorite Christmas songS to even just a "Pick 6" list as I have done in prior blogs.  But I have gone through a personally painful process of elimination to come up with my top 3 songs per Christmas Genre.  You might think that "Christmas" IS a genre, but I've broken the mold and made multiple categories of it!  :)  Enjoy!  And comment below with your own ideas.

(If you only listen to ONE SONG from all that I linked below, make it "I Cannot Find My Way / Three Kings" from the Forgotten Carols.  You WILL NOT be disappointed!)

Traditional Favorites:

The Christmas Song

By Nat King Cole

The real "King's" smooth, soulful voice combined with the opening words of this song ALWAYS conjure up a cozy, mountain cabin with a warm fire glowing and the companionship of friends and family.  Literally every singer or group has performed a version of this song, but NONE will ever be as good as this one.  It is as classic as classic can be!

We Three Kings

By Eclipse

I love MANY different versions of this song (which is why it qualifies as a "traditional favorite" even though this version is less than a decade old and not a "favorite" of everyone ... yet).  The California Raisins had the first one that I really enjoyed, but in recent years I've heard versions from Barenaked Ladies and the one linked above, which have made it one of my favorite songs ever.

White Christmas

By The Drifters

Made even more popular when it was featured in the movie Home Alone, this version of this song has always been one of my favorites.  I love doo-wop music and this song combines that style of singing with a classic Christmas song.  Other versions of White Christmas are very good, but this is the best one IMHO.

New should be Classics:

Shake Up Christmas

by Eclipse

I am only slightly biased toward this group by my cousin being one of the members in it.  I LOVE their version of this song.  The melody is just so upbeat and the refrain "It's Christmastime!" is so fun to sing along with.  Oh how I wish they'd play music like this on the radio!

Believe

By Josh Groban

What I like best about this song is that it was written for the movie Polar Express and with the intent to encourage belief in the "Santa Claus" side of Christmas.  But I believe it is much more powerful if you metaphorically place our Savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father's eternal plan for us as the message of the song.  He knows our needs and will give us wings to fly ... if we just believe!

I Cannot Find My Way / Three Kings

Written By Michael McLean

If you have never heard "The Forgotten Carols" then you are totally missing one of the best Christmas traditions around.  Although several of the songs have very similar (and simple) refrains, this one song ALWAYS gives me an overwhelming feeling of the Holy Spirit and brings tears to my eyes!  To anyone looking for the true meaning of Christmas (and more importantly, the true meaning of LIFE), it is the Lord Jesus Christ!  This song makes that point beautifully!  (Bonus: The song "Homeless" is a phenomenal a capella tune that causes equal amounts of chills and inspiration!)

Spiritual Hymns:

Joy To The World

By the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Of all songs that are both spiritual and LOUD this one has got to be my favorite!  When you picture the "heavenly choir" singing praises to celebrate the Savior's birth, is this not exactly how you would expect it to sound?!  I find it amazing that so many people can sing together the very first word of this song so powerfully!

Breath of Heaven

By Amy Grant

Okay, so it's not a "hymn" ... but it should be !!!  This song is haunting but also uplifting and if you can find a version with Amy's husband (the very talented Vince Gill) singing harmony along with her ... it will give you chills.  I can almost understand what Mary might have been feeling like when tasked with the responsibility to bear and raise the Christ Child.

Hallelujah Chorus

From Handel's Messiah

You can find hundreds of versions of this online but the music itself is beautiful regardless of the performer.  Handel was inspired by God when he wrote this!

Funny or Silly songs:

Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)

By Bing Crosby

No, I did not become a fan of this song because of the pool scene in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  It's just a great tune to sing along with!  I love Hawaiian-style music and combining it with Christmas is just a brilliant pairing!

Santa Claus and His Old Lady

By Cheech and Chong

My mom sent me an audio-cassette tape with this song on it while I was on my mission in Los Angeles, CA.  That was the first time I ever heard it and I loved it immediately.  Despite the overwhelming drug-heavy theme, it's still just ... funny!

The 12 Days of Christmas

By Bob and Doug McKenzie

Any song that includes "Four pounds of back-bacon" has to be a WINNER !!!  This is some classic 80's comedic humor from two of the worst singers ever!

"Non-Christmas" Christmas songs:

Linus and Lucy

by the Vince Guaraldi Trio

I absolutely love the simplicity of this music and it was made popular in the Charlie Brown Christmas Special ... but it has no other real tie to the holidays.

A Joyous Song

By Boyz II Men

This song is on their Christmas Interpretations CD.  It is related to Christmas, but is not a traditional Christmas song ... so it goes here.

Home Alone Theme Song

by John Williams

The beginning and end of this song are just beautiful and instantly recognizeable, but it just happens that the movie takes place around Christmastime and so the song reminds you of that time of year.  Otherwise, there's no reason for it to be a Christmas song.

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