how did i end up here?

I haven't posted in a while, and since apparently I have at least one anonymous fan requesting a new blog, I thought I'd put some words down and see if anyone was moved by them. Several months ago my cousin who knows all things web-based, turned me onto a sight called Muxtape.com. Muxtape was the most amazing thing I'd seen on the web in a while. It was this new venue to upload your very own mix tape. Now I don't know about you, but when I made mix tapes for my friends or my boyfriends back in the day, they took time and energy and were always well thought out. It's not like now where you can just make a CD by clicking and dragging. Recording your songs, then pausing it for exactly 3 seconds of silence in between the songs, picking out the exact order of the songs, making sure you didn't run out of tape before the song ended...the whole thing was a well-crafted art. And when you recieved a mix tape from a friend it really meant something...it meant this person took serious time to put together these songs just for you. Anyhow, Muxtape was the new millenium's version...that is until the music industry shut it down, but that's a different blog. I posted my very own muxtape, but the site was taken down before I was really happy with the final product.

So today I've decided to post my version of a grown up mix tape, my B.O.A.T. list...my Best Of All Time list of songs. The top 12 songs that almost never get passed through on my ipod, the songs that stop me in my tracks, the songs that transport me in time and remind me of places I've been or people I've met along the way. These songs are not the most poetic songs ever written, or the world's version of the best songs...these are my favorites. A few months ago I put the challenge to my brothers and sister to make their own B.O.A.T lists, and it was really interesting to see their B.O.A.T.s...even though I probably could have guessed what would be on their lists even before I read them. I encourage you to do the same thing, it's a pretty cool exercise. I hope I turn you on to at least one new song you'll love.

1. Ordinary - The Alternate Routes
This is just one of those songs that I can't get enough of. It's one of the newest ones on the list, but it has definitely secured it's place as being one of my favorite songs of all time. I've seen these guys play live several times now, and when they play this song, I get tears in my eyes. The lyrics always get me..."Would you love, could you love to be ordinary, I know it's hard, but I can't see you tryin." To me that just says, no matter how hard you try, you'll never be ordinary and that's why I love you so much.

2. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room - John Mayer
This song makes it on almost all playlists I make. The guitar in it just goes straight to my soul and I can't get enough of it. This whole album really (Continuum) is pretty freaking amazing.

3. Must Be Doin Something Right - Billy Currington
This song is just one of those, gosh-it-feels-so-good-to-be-in-love songs. It's got a great melody and I just love the thought of some guy working hard to get my affection...and his work paid off in spades.

4. 20,000 Hearts - Eddie From Ohio
Eddie From Ohio is one of the coolest bands ever. One song will be just the most absurd thing you've ever heard...and their next song is so moving that you are completely caught off guard by your tears. The guitar in this song is so gentle and easy that it makes you want to put it on repeat...and the harmony is amazing too.

5. Shelter - Ray LaMontagne
There was a time in my life where this album was the only thing that could console me. His voice can calm me and at the same time provoke a side of me very few have seen. This album is very "time stamped" for me. The feelings at the time were so intense, it's sometimes hard for me to listen to him now because they rush back just as if they had never left.

6. Belief - Gavin DeGraw
Just a great song with a guy singing his heart out while playing the piano. This is an excellent song to sing as loud as you can in your car.

7. Why Can't You Love Me - Wade Bowen
This is the perfect break up song. Period. This guy's voice is so amazing...he could sing me the Federal Register. HA!

8. Anything But Mine - Kenny Chesney
I love this song because it reminds me of summer love...of having a fling with someone and wanting nothing more than what you have at exactly that moment...ever.

9. Come Pick Me Up - Ryan Adams
Ok, the first thing that comes to mind when I hear this song is Dollywood, and the trip Sarah and I took last summer. But even had we not gone on that trip, I think this song would still wind up on my BOAT. The harmonica is so good...and the lyrics are so wrong. I just love it.

10. Just Another - Pete Yorn
Just a great song, from a great time in my life.

11. Almost Honest - Josh Kelley
I'm not sure how I found this song. I think it might have been a free download on iTunes...but however I found it, I'm sure glad I did. It's a beautiful song that makes me stop in my tracks every time I hear it.

12. Yellow Leadbetter - Pearl Jam
My very first mp3 player only had one list it could play...there was no shuffle button. This was the first song on the playlist. I remember walking out of my apartment in the wee hours of the morning to go run and this song would get me started. I wish I was as motivated to run now as I was back then.

Feel free to post your own list. I'd be interested in seeing the top 12 songs that are your Best Of All Time.