Music Over the Years
So who wants an update on my life?! Yeah, me neither. I apparently thought it was a good idea to go to Vegas after returning home from my roadtrip to Chicago for Lollapalooza, so the last month has been spent working my ass off so I can be financially stable again! Though, in Vegas, I took $50 to gamble with (since going would be the first time I got to really gamble!) and ended up coming home with $200 thanks to Roulette. :) ...And then I promptly came home and spent that money on a tattoo. Oi vey. I did go to Vegas for something else fun, too: a concert. A Patrick Stump concert! :)
So, before I move on,
First, stealth picture of me absolutely owning the Roulette table.
Ooh, look! Me actively engaged in a conversation with Patrick. :) Most wonderful 5-10 minutes of my life. And, yes, he is aware that I have no traveled to both Chicago AND Las Vegas to see him. >.<
Cutest picture ever taken. Our arms are wrapped around each other! But look how calm and collected I am! :)
The concert itself was sooo small. And there was no barricade or anything, so the crowd was literally right up against the stage. Well, during the last song, "This City," Patrick wanders around the stage for most of the time interacting with the crowd the most he's done throughout the night. I was literally right in front of him, so I'm sure he was aware I was singing along most of the night. So, it comes to one part of the song, during the chorus, and the lyric goes: "And if I have my way, I'm gonna stay here, for life (ah ah), for life (ah ah), for life (ah ah)". For one of the "ah ahs," he bends down and holds the microphone right in my face! Little mini freakout. But, ok... this isn't the end!
A couple seconds after this, he jumps INTO the crowd LITERALLY RIGHT NEXT TO ME. I'm trying to be all cool and just keep singing along and dancing... but inside, I am totally fangirling, alright? He is standing right next to me, and I get to sing INTO the microphone ALONG with him! For a good couple of solid seconds. And then he turns around and sings to the rest of the crowd around, but I'm still right next to him! Touching him! Ahhhh, lol. I took pictures throughout the show obviously, but during these moments, I couldn't even like think to function to take pictures of him being literally next to me. In a way, I'm kind of glad I didn't. I totally LIVED during those moments, and I'm happy I just lived without the distractions of taking pictures. :)
But here's someone's video I found of it:
@7:40- Patrick holding the microphone in my face, though you can't see it. >.<
Around 8:11- he's jumping in the crowd, and @8:20... me totally singing with him. Ahhhhh.
But what I really wanted to talk about...! I've been hearing songs lately and thinking, "Man, the album this is on totally defined me at ___ years of age!" So I got to really thinking about it. Do I have albums that could define every single age for me? Turns out, the answer is yes. So I figured I'd share. If anyone's really reading this, I'd love to see what albums you define your life with. :)
1993-1996, Ages 3-6, Michael Jackson Thriller (1982) and Bad (1987)
This would be the age where I really discovered music. "Smooth Criminal" is the first song I ever remember hearing, period. And this soon grew to watching nothing but Streetwalker, Jacksons: The American Dream, and endless hours of MJ music videos. At 3, I was watching "Thriller" over and over again, learning every single intricate dance move. Michael Jackson was my childhood.
1997, Age 7, Spice Girls Spice (1996) and Spiceworld (1997)
Somehow my obsession with MJ turned into obsession with crappy music. lol. Girl power, man. That's all I really have to say. I think I liked them because, yeah, 1) they were girls so I could relate and 2) gave me more excuses to dance! Even entered a talent show dancing to them with a group of friends. I was Sporty Spice, in case you were wondering.
1998, Age 8, Hanson Middle of Nowhere (1997)
And here begins my obsession with boybands. I remember my dad picking me up from school and I'd force him to listen to this CD. I also remember him complaining every single I insisted he play it.
1999, Age 9, Blink-182 Enema of the State (1999)
Apparently in the middle of my boyband obsession, I had badass music taste just waiting to emerge. When I got report cards back every quarter during school, instead of being rewarded with money, my parents would just buy me something... most often, CDs. I wanted this CD when I was 9! Really, I think it was for "All The Small Things" over anything, but I was 9 getting my first Parental Advisory CD. Like I said, badass just waiting to emerge, haha.
2000, Age 10, Linkin Park Hybrid Theory (2000) and 'Nsync No Strings Attached
This begins the awkward stage. I was torn between my utter love for boybands, specifically JC Chasez and 'Nsync, and finding out what my true music tastes were. I had pneumonia around this time and "One Step Closer" was played over and over again on MTV. Needless to say, I fell in love. And I fully credit Linkin Park for turning my music tastes around.
2001, Age 11, 'NSync Celebrity (2001) and Sum 41 All Killer No Filler (2001)
OK, my music tastes might have been turning around, but I just couldn't deny my love for Nsync, alright? It was in 2001 where I also attended my first concert... 'Nsync!
2002, Age 12, Eminem The Eminem Show (2002)
I told you, discovering my music tastes around this age was just such an awkward time. But, really, I absolutely love Eminem. Again, this CD comes courtesy of my dad buying it for me. At 12 years old. Eminem. Way to go, dad! lol. I just remember the anger in this CD and being able to relate to that. This CD just holds such a special place in my heart. I still love Eminem, I don't even care.
2003, Age 13, Linkin Park Meteora (2003) and Blink-182 Blink-182 (2003)
Now these CDs just make so much more sense! To prove how much I spent 2003 obsessing over Linkin Park, this was the year in which I saw them for the first time in concert! I also met them this year, too.
2004, Age 14, Green Day American Idiot (2004) and Sum 41 Chuck (2004)
American Idiot was totally my Bible during high school. For sure one of my top 3 albums of all time. Even my teachers would define me in school for my love of Green Day! And my love for Sum 41 just carries on through the years.
2005, Age 15, Fall Out Boy From Under The Cork Tree (2005)
And so it begins. Here enters the emo years. Just kidding... kind of. I had been a fan of Fall Out Boy before this, but man... this is where it all begins. My complete and utter devotion towards them that has just stood the test of time. Even though there are other significant albums from this age through now, let it be known that my love for FOB may even trump everything for the next 6 years.
2006, Age 16, Panic! at the Disco A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005)
Basically an offset and extension of my love for FOB, as Panic was discovered and signed by Pete Wentz. But, yeah, definitely spent some time obsessing over this CD.
2007, Age 17, Fall Out Boy Infinity on High (2007)
I mean, obviously.
2008, Age 18, Cobra Starship Viva La Cobra (2007)
To be honest, I don't quite recall an album standing out or holding much significance during this age for me. But I know I had extreme love for Cobra, specifically this album. This album was also produced by Patrick Stump. Coincidence? ...You decide.
2009, Age 19, Fall Out Boy Folie a Deux (2008) and Green Day 21st Century Breakdown (2009)
Ahh, my two loves combine. Fun fact: To this day, Folie a Deux is still in my car. This year was totally defined by FOB, especially since 2009 was the year in which they announced their hiatus.
2010, Age 20, 3OH!3 Streets of Gold (2010) and Travie McCoy Lazarus (2010)
Age 20 was my year of listening to music for the absolute fun of it. Listen to music without too much meaning and use it as a form of escapism rather than being such a catharsis. And then you have Travie McCoy who comes along and releases one of the best albums in recent years, if you ask my opinion. I definitely used him as a catharsis, so he ruined that whole "Let's listen to music without giving a crap" kind of vibe I was convinced to have going on. But, he had some of that, too! C'mon, who listens to "Billionaire" and thinks: "Yes! This song is totally speaking FOR ME right now!" If you agree with that, you just may be a douchebag.
2011, Age 21, ... ... ?? .... ...
I do not even know where to begin for this year. This year has been an absolute awesome year in terms of music. But, let's see. My year has pretty much been defined by Patrick Stump, who, other than his EP Truant Wave, doesn't have an album out, yet. (His album, Soul Punk comes out October 18th. *plug plug*) It's also been defined by Black Cards, Pete Wentz's new band... who, also, does not have an album out yet. Other than that, there's been Sum 41's Screaming Bloody Murder and Panic! at the Disco's Vices & Virtues. Both of these albums I've been getting life from this year. If I had to chose one album to define my 21, though, it's probably Foster The People and Torches.
Yeah, I can totally define my ages and years of life by music.
So, before I move on,
First, stealth picture of me absolutely owning the Roulette table.
Ooh, look! Me actively engaged in a conversation with Patrick. :) Most wonderful 5-10 minutes of my life. And, yes, he is aware that I have no traveled to both Chicago AND Las Vegas to see him. >.<
Cutest picture ever taken. Our arms are wrapped around each other! But look how calm and collected I am! :)
The concert itself was sooo small. And there was no barricade or anything, so the crowd was literally right up against the stage. Well, during the last song, "This City," Patrick wanders around the stage for most of the time interacting with the crowd the most he's done throughout the night. I was literally right in front of him, so I'm sure he was aware I was singing along most of the night. So, it comes to one part of the song, during the chorus, and the lyric goes: "And if I have my way, I'm gonna stay here, for life (ah ah), for life (ah ah), for life (ah ah)". For one of the "ah ahs," he bends down and holds the microphone right in my face! Little mini freakout. But, ok... this isn't the end!
A couple seconds after this, he jumps INTO the crowd LITERALLY RIGHT NEXT TO ME. I'm trying to be all cool and just keep singing along and dancing... but inside, I am totally fangirling, alright? He is standing right next to me, and I get to sing INTO the microphone ALONG with him! For a good couple of solid seconds. And then he turns around and sings to the rest of the crowd around, but I'm still right next to him! Touching him! Ahhhh, lol. I took pictures throughout the show obviously, but during these moments, I couldn't even like think to function to take pictures of him being literally next to me. In a way, I'm kind of glad I didn't. I totally LIVED during those moments, and I'm happy I just lived without the distractions of taking pictures. :)
But here's someone's video I found of it:
@7:40- Patrick holding the microphone in my face, though you can't see it. >.<
Around 8:11- he's jumping in the crowd, and @8:20... me totally singing with him. Ahhhhh.
Click to viewBut what I really wanted to talk about...! I've been hearing songs lately and thinking, "Man, the album this is on totally defined me at ___ years of age!" So I got to really thinking about it. Do I have albums that could define every single age for me? Turns out, the answer is yes. So I figured I'd share. If anyone's really reading this, I'd love to see what albums you define your life with. :)
1993-1996, Ages 3-6, Michael Jackson Thriller (1982) and Bad (1987)
This would be the age where I really discovered music. "Smooth Criminal" is the first song I ever remember hearing, period. And this soon grew to watching nothing but Streetwalker, Jacksons: The American Dream, and endless hours of MJ music videos. At 3, I was watching "Thriller" over and over again, learning every single intricate dance move. Michael Jackson was my childhood.
1997, Age 7, Spice Girls Spice (1996) and Spiceworld (1997)
Somehow my obsession with MJ turned into obsession with crappy music. lol. Girl power, man. That's all I really have to say. I think I liked them because, yeah, 1) they were girls so I could relate and 2) gave me more excuses to dance! Even entered a talent show dancing to them with a group of friends. I was Sporty Spice, in case you were wondering.
1998, Age 8, Hanson Middle of Nowhere (1997)
And here begins my obsession with boybands. I remember my dad picking me up from school and I'd force him to listen to this CD. I also remember him complaining every single I insisted he play it.
1999, Age 9, Blink-182 Enema of the State (1999)
Apparently in the middle of my boyband obsession, I had badass music taste just waiting to emerge. When I got report cards back every quarter during school, instead of being rewarded with money, my parents would just buy me something... most often, CDs. I wanted this CD when I was 9! Really, I think it was for "All The Small Things" over anything, but I was 9 getting my first Parental Advisory CD. Like I said, badass just waiting to emerge, haha.
2000, Age 10, Linkin Park Hybrid Theory (2000) and 'Nsync No Strings Attached
This begins the awkward stage. I was torn between my utter love for boybands, specifically JC Chasez and 'Nsync, and finding out what my true music tastes were. I had pneumonia around this time and "One Step Closer" was played over and over again on MTV. Needless to say, I fell in love. And I fully credit Linkin Park for turning my music tastes around.
2001, Age 11, 'NSync Celebrity (2001) and Sum 41 All Killer No Filler (2001)
OK, my music tastes might have been turning around, but I just couldn't deny my love for Nsync, alright? It was in 2001 where I also attended my first concert... 'Nsync!
2002, Age 12, Eminem The Eminem Show (2002)
I told you, discovering my music tastes around this age was just such an awkward time. But, really, I absolutely love Eminem. Again, this CD comes courtesy of my dad buying it for me. At 12 years old. Eminem. Way to go, dad! lol. I just remember the anger in this CD and being able to relate to that. This CD just holds such a special place in my heart. I still love Eminem, I don't even care.
2003, Age 13, Linkin Park Meteora (2003) and Blink-182 Blink-182 (2003)
Now these CDs just make so much more sense! To prove how much I spent 2003 obsessing over Linkin Park, this was the year in which I saw them for the first time in concert! I also met them this year, too.
2004, Age 14, Green Day American Idiot (2004) and Sum 41 Chuck (2004)
American Idiot was totally my Bible during high school. For sure one of my top 3 albums of all time. Even my teachers would define me in school for my love of Green Day! And my love for Sum 41 just carries on through the years.
2005, Age 15, Fall Out Boy From Under The Cork Tree (2005)
And so it begins. Here enters the emo years. Just kidding... kind of. I had been a fan of Fall Out Boy before this, but man... this is where it all begins. My complete and utter devotion towards them that has just stood the test of time. Even though there are other significant albums from this age through now, let it be known that my love for FOB may even trump everything for the next 6 years.
2006, Age 16, Panic! at the Disco A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005)
Basically an offset and extension of my love for FOB, as Panic was discovered and signed by Pete Wentz. But, yeah, definitely spent some time obsessing over this CD.
2007, Age 17, Fall Out Boy Infinity on High (2007)
I mean, obviously.
2008, Age 18, Cobra Starship Viva La Cobra (2007)
To be honest, I don't quite recall an album standing out or holding much significance during this age for me. But I know I had extreme love for Cobra, specifically this album. This album was also produced by Patrick Stump. Coincidence? ...You decide.
2009, Age 19, Fall Out Boy Folie a Deux (2008) and Green Day 21st Century Breakdown (2009)
Ahh, my two loves combine. Fun fact: To this day, Folie a Deux is still in my car. This year was totally defined by FOB, especially since 2009 was the year in which they announced their hiatus.
2010, Age 20, 3OH!3 Streets of Gold (2010) and Travie McCoy Lazarus (2010)
Age 20 was my year of listening to music for the absolute fun of it. Listen to music without too much meaning and use it as a form of escapism rather than being such a catharsis. And then you have Travie McCoy who comes along and releases one of the best albums in recent years, if you ask my opinion. I definitely used him as a catharsis, so he ruined that whole "Let's listen to music without giving a crap" kind of vibe I was convinced to have going on. But, he had some of that, too! C'mon, who listens to "Billionaire" and thinks: "Yes! This song is totally speaking FOR ME right now!" If you agree with that, you just may be a douchebag.
2011, Age 21, ... ... ?? .... ...
I do not even know where to begin for this year. This year has been an absolute awesome year in terms of music. But, let's see. My year has pretty much been defined by Patrick Stump, who, other than his EP Truant Wave, doesn't have an album out, yet. (His album, Soul Punk comes out October 18th. *plug plug*) It's also been defined by Black Cards, Pete Wentz's new band... who, also, does not have an album out yet. Other than that, there's been Sum 41's Screaming Bloody Murder and Panic! at the Disco's Vices & Virtues. Both of these albums I've been getting life from this year. If I had to chose one album to define my 21, though, it's probably Foster The People and Torches.
Yeah, I can totally define my ages and years of life by music.