I'm good at blocking

Sometimes there are benefits to my sister and I riding to work together (other than reduced gas costs). Like remembering that we're supposed to actually go to my grandmother's house tonight for her birthday. Grrrr. Because did mom remember to mention this at any point? No.

So I don't get to see Serenity tonight, again. Which ticks me off, because I've gotten to a point with Grandmother that I just don't want to be around her. Everything's a downer. We've got her birthday gifts, but she'll most likely not like them. (Never mind the fact that she doesn't give us clues as to what she wants and is picky as can be. This time, though? She's getting stuff for her cat. She loves that cat, so we're hoping this suffices.)

***

Lots of things to squee over about last night's Smallville, like ( cut for spoilers )

*dances in circles*

I'm going to crossover heaven.

Smallville/Supernatural

Come on folks, come play with zeplum and me. Dean and Chloe and Sam are the Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys of snark and ghosts.

Country Music Update

Info culled from several on my friends' list and CMT.com.

A song a recced yesterday that all y'all responded to (cause the song so rocks), "Best I Ever Had" by Gary Allan, well, I of course wanted that CD last night. (Ended up with Little Big Town.) But in lieu of actually getting the CD, CMT.com is offering a listening party. Every single song, all of each song.

Gary Allan: Listening Party

What gets me is that the entire album is painful. I don't think there's a single song that isn't as good as "Best I Ever Had", even if they're different. One is even and homage to Johnny Cash (another man that understands torture and pain).

Back story on Gary Allan: He's been quietly producing albums for several years now, but for some bizarre reason got nominated for a Horizon award in 2003 (believe me, a guy that's been around for ages gets nominated for a newcomer award? gotta chaffe). Well, last year, in the middle of the night, his wife committed suicide. Shot herself. They had six kids total from their previous relationships. The quote from pmgoose from recently, when he performed a song from his new album, was "As y'all may have heard, I had a really shitty year. So, I just kept listening to this song over and over again, and it's my new favorite song." The song, "Best I Ever Had", was originally done by Vertical Horizon, explaining the alternative rock sound.

Watching the video you understand what his wife's death did to him. The match of song to singer is profound. In my opinion, we're talking on the level of Johnny Cash doing "Hurt" - a song written by someone else, just as good by someone else, but so absolutely personal to the new singer's life that you can't hold a remake against them.

So, my pimp of the day. Check out the listening party. If you like it, buy the CD. This represents the beauty of music. It allows the emotions to come forth in a venue that works for that person. Honest, raw, painful emotions.