The Daily News

LFCA Latest Issue: Friday, September 25, 2009.

Latest Post on BlogHer: Parenting after Infertility.

My Status: Fed Josh's almonds to the squirrels. They needed them very badly.

Friday, September 07, 2007

Friday Blog Roundup

It turns out the unnamed mint bar taken from the pantry (#2 on my list) is called a Peppermint Crisp by Nestle. Which is to say that the only way I am going to sink my teeth into this delectable treat is to have more non-Americans sign up for the candy exchange. Lots of New Hampshireites and Marylanders and Californians. But where are the South African bloggers? The Australians or the British? Damn you Canadians, over the border, we need more of you. We need your candy. You should want ours as well. The candy exchange is an on-going, ever-rolling project of sugary, fat-laden love. Come sign up and eat candy. Or at least send me Peppermint Crisps!

I am compiling a list of songs. Songs that make you feel good. That DO NOT remind you of infertility or loss. That are the antithesis of infertility or loss. They may, inadvertently, be tied to your journey because they were playing at a certain time. But the songs I want are the ultimate throw open the windows and drive around feeling good mix CD. The songs you play to feel empowered. I will kick it off with Pink's "Get the Party Started." I will also add the St. Elmo's Fire theme (thank you, Serenity!), "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles, and "Break My Stride" by Matthew Wilder. You favourite songs to get you in a good mood. The ones that make your heart burst a little as you're singing along. Run with that and add to the list via the comments section or an email. And yes, another icon for the sidebar is forthcoming. A record perhaps instead of a CD, showing our age.

I am beyond moved that Julie passed me the blogroll torch and I hope to make her proud. Reading that post was sort of like finding out that the Queen was coming to dinner with ten minutes notice. I figuratively ran around like a chicken with her head cut off through the blogroll fretting--but there are double entries, there are blogs to be moved, there are not enough clickers! And then I set out the good china (which, by the way, my sister was right. We should have never registered for it. We still haven't used it because we can't decide whether it should be meat or dairy--little wink to all my Jewy Kosher Jews out there) and smoothed the napkins and said, "welcome, your majesty." And I did one of those low curtsies...figuratively, of course.

Which is just a long way of saying, welcome if you're here for the first time.
  • If you want to be added to the blogroll, just send me an email at thetowncriers@gmail.com.
  • Helps me out tremendously if you pick your own category.
  • You can move around to a new category at any point (just send me an email again).
  • Would love it if you put a link to the blogroll back on your own blog so more people (in other words, new bloggers) find it as they read your blog.
  • The sidebar on my blog is usually a few days more up-to-date than the blogroll post (I add first to the sidebar and then cut-and-paste the list every few days into the post) so you will show up on the sidebar first.
  • Since lots of requests are coming in, I probably won't be able to email back to let you know when it's up, so check the sidebar. I'm a crazy multi-tasker who gets very little sleep so it's usually up within a day or so.
Why that required bullet points? I don't know... And if you didn't know about Lost and Found, please go over there too. Whoring up the community building, but this is a great chance to reach out to other bloggers either in celebration or comfort. You really don't need to be alone in this suckhole.

It is time to rock the vote. Head over to Weebles Wobblog to read all of the limerick entries and vote on your favourite. How can you go wrong with a poem that manages to rhyme scabies with babies?

And now, blogs a plenty, blogs galore.

Aspiring Baker has a fantastic post this week about choosing the perfect sperm donor. It's about how we talk ourselves into ideas, how all of our decisions are fraught with what ifs. How not only does the criteria we use to cast our comfort zone change over time, but how we change it to fit what we have in front of us. Where we need to find comfort. It is not only a fascinating subject, but this post is so incredibly well-written that I ended up going through it several times, marveling over the small changes from word to word.

Chicklet at Blurb This has three of the funniest faux pregnancy announcements ever. The one I particularly loved and am planning on having Josh send out one day if I ever get knocked up: "Sunday morning my wife's and my lives were forever changed when she shat in the delivery room in front of me. Oh yea, and we had a kid. But seriously dudes, she shat! On the table!"

Nancy at The Life of Nancy has an interesting post about primary vs. secondary infertility. I think it is cool to hear how she views the same situation from two separate vantage points having gone through primary and now secondary IF. Her main thesis is to not draw comparisons--they are two separate but equal beasts with their own inherent problems. I think my favourite part was an analogy that comes at the end: "For ttc#2(+)-ers, hearing 'well, at least you already have a child' hurts just as much as a ttc#1-er hearing 'Well, at least you can have nice things instead of children'. We want that child, whether it's #1 or #3, so telling us anything regarding not getting that child hurts like hell."

Lastly, DD. Dearest DD and her Vaseline. I loved this post. I loved it because it made me turn to Josh and ask him to read it too. She describes what her blog does for her--what it means to her. And what the comments and readers mean to her. As I read it, the best analogy I could come up with to explain this situation is that final scene in the made-for-tv version of Alice in Wonderland (the one with the absolutely divine Carol Channing) where Alice has to say goodbye to all of the animals and chess pieces and she's so sad. They're the only ones who understand where she has been. She'll leave Wonderland and return home and she'll try to explain everything to her sister. But her sister will never get it because she wasn't there. It's not that Alice wants to spend the rest of her life in Wonderland, but she wouldn't mind bringing a few of those creatures into the next place she lives, not just because she misses them, but because they understand a piece of her that no one else does.

DD is our Alice. She is deep in the rabbit hole and she needs the connections with fellow bloggers to get out: "Unfortunately even though you don't need to 'listen' to me blahblahblah woe is me blah boohoo, I desperately need you and your supportive emails and comments. I feel like a complete putz having to put my hat in my hand and admit to you that I can't seem to function normally without hearing from you occasionally." At the same time, connecting with fellow bloggers; reading their posts about appointments she isn't able to get or referrals that are not in her mailbox, is an impossibility at times too. Yet she knows that by not reading and by not commenting, she can't ask for the same support in return. She doesn't feel like she can morph into a Mommy Blogger because that doesn't feel natural either. And she can't stay within infertility because it's too painful. But her blog is so important to her.

And so I turn back to Julie at A Little Pregnant. Namely, her post on "staying for the bofrags." It is the evolution of a blog that never strays from the original reason for its inception--that search for definition. Julie as infertile, as pregnant, as a mother, as infertile, and now, as she promises, herself as a daughter. It is all variations on the same theme, all interconnected. And I hope that is the route that DD takes (please, for the love, only you could name a post "Vaseline"--where would I be without your words?). The evolution of DD. From supermodel to international spy to... I mean, from mother to infertile to wherever she goes from here. It is all variations on the same heart.

Wait! You were going to click away. No--you have homework to do. Leave your favourite song. Name and singer/band preferably so I can create the greatest and longest mix CD of all the time.

52 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves always makes me smile and want to sing really, really loudly (unfortunately off key.)

There's another country song that I don't remember who sings or even am sure of the actual name, but it must be sung loudly when it comes on the radio. It is called "Brand New Girlfriend" (Or something like that.)

AwkwardMoments said...

“Walkin on Sunshine” - Katrina and the Waves & “Bubbly” - Colbie Caillat

*oh my goodness Mary - we listed on of the same songs 0 How cool is that- I was going to change it but, to heck with it, It's a great song

Anonymous said...

"I Can't Hold Back" by Survivor and "The Chauffer" by Duran Duran

I'm a child of the '80s. So sue me.

Cece said...

Summer of '69 (Bryan Adams), Walk this Way (Aerosmith), Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard (Paul Simon), Cecila (Simon and Garfunkel), Thanks God I'm a Country Boy (John Denver).

Funny thing is - I'm right in the middle of making myself a playlist like this!

Anonymous said...

Oh, there are so many songs that require a stereo that goes to 11, a long stretch of highway, and a convertable - my definition of the "perfect" song...it has to make me want to go on a road trip to nowhere in particular. However, "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin is near the top of that list. "Them" by JEM is pretty fun too...makes me want to learn belly dancing.

Kristen said...

"Into The Groove" - Madonna: Never fails to make me want to dance and let loose.

"Beautiful Day" - U2: Played this at our wedding. It is so uplifting and I love playing it in the morning so it sets my day off right.

"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" - Cyndi Lauper: No explanation needed here. Can you tell I'm an 80's freak?

I would dare to say "Barbie Girl" by Aqua if I wasn't fearful of being pelted with rotten fruit :)

Lori Lavender Luz said...

"End of the Line" by the Travelling Wilburys

"I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty.

"You're the One That I Want" from Grease.

"The Other End of the Telescope" by Til Tuesday

"Fill it Up Again" Indigo Girls

"Don't Bring Me Down" by Electric Light Orchestra

"L'Ombelico Del Mundo" by Jovanotti

"Let the Day Begin" by The Call

"Been There, Done That" by Eno & Cale

That'll do for now.

P.S. I second "Barbie Girl" -- no fruit!

SarahSews said...

You Lift Me Up by Jeff Lynn
Crazy by Gnarles Barkley
Ants Marching by the Dave Matthews Band

Natalie said...

Yay, thx for the shoutout:-) Re the announcement, I did the same to my husband as you did to yours - telling him he is SOOOOOO writing something witty and horrible instead of cheesy and sweet.

Song, yeesh, there's so many! But "Crash" by Dave Matthews Band is definitely up there. As well as every song on his Stand Up CD.

decemberbaby said...

"Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba.

I hear you on the formal china. We decided that ours is for meat, since we host a lot of shabbat meals (and those usually involve my brisket).

E. Phantzi said...

"These Are Days" by 10,000 Maniacs

BigP's Heather said...

Life is a Highway - either by Rascal Flatts or Tom Cochrane

I also like "Ice Cream" by sarah mc

nancy said...

thanks for not only reading me, but recognizing me. I don't seem so alone anymore! :)

"What I've got" - Sublime.
"About a Girl" - Nirvana
"minor threat" - minor threat
"prayer to god" - Shellac

and a bunch of punk that would probably be too obscure to list.

Anonymous said...

Going down to Tiujuana by Andre Williams

Roam by B 52's

Intergalactic by Beastie Boys

Party Up In Here by DMX

Islands in the Stream by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers

Would I lie to you by Eurthmics

Freeze Frame by The J. Geils Band

Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake your booty by KC & The Sunshine Band

Walk in Jerusalem by Mhalia Jackson

Stupid Girls by Pink

Together Forever by Rick Astley

My Baby Takes the Morning train by Sheena E

um...I could go on but I should probably stop :)

Waiting Amy said...

"I'm gonna soak up the Sun" -- Sheryl Crow.

My son loves this one, and it is too fun to belt it out with him. Plus, we love the line "its not having what you want, its wanting what you've got." I try to remember that when I need a little perspective. But I still want what I want!

dmarie said...

Today my favorite is Smile - Lyle Lovett.

Pam said...

Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
and
Shower the People by James Taylor

Mrs. Shoes said...

All cheesy, but they do make you sing along (usually out loud in the car)

Eye of the Tiger
These Boots were made for walking
Margaritaville
Five O'clock Somewhere
California Girls ('cuz at heart, I'll always be one)

From Gretechen Wilson:
Redneck woman (even though I'm not)
Here for the party
All Jacked Up

Unknown said...

I posted these on my blog a little while ago -- they are on my iPod and I LOVE THEM: Sorry if I gave you too many!

Freedom by George Michael

Lady Marmalade from the Moulin Rouge Soundtrack

Don’t Let Me Get Me by Pink

100 Years by Five for Fighting

Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall

Breathe Me by Sia (for any of your Six Feet Under fans, it was the very final song on the very final episode!)

Everlong by the Foo Fighters

Why Can’t I by Liz Phair

If You Were Here by the Thompson
Twins (from Sixteen Candles!)

This is the Day by The The

Serenity said...

Black Horse and the Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall

Ray of Light - Madonna

Barrel of a Gun - Guster

On My Own - Peach Union

Let Go - Frou Frou

Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard

Rock Lobster - B52s

Soak Up the Sun - Sheryl Crow

Hotel Yorba - White Stripes

Satellite - Guster

Dancing Queen - Abba

Elevation - U2

Serenity said...

ok so there were a lot on mine. But I love using music as a 'pick me up...'

battynurse said...

I could probably come up with a whole bunch too but the one that comes instantly to mind is "Nothing's Going to Stop Us Now" by Starship, or Jefferson Starship or whatever the heck their name was in 1987 when this song came out.

battynurse said...

Oh, and "The River" by Garth Brooks

Lori Lavender Luz said...

I smell another list for Mel to manage.

Man, this is a great collection!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

"Legend of a Cowgirl" by Imani Coppola always puts me in a fabulous mood!

Sample lyrics:
"So here's the way I'm gonna break it down,
Speak my mind any time 'cause I got the master plan,
Power in my soul, strength from my hand,
I'm going up north to claim my land,
Won't settle by river, might make me shiver,
So look out and hide your fans,
I'm a woman on fire with huge desire,
To be as good as any man"

Anonymous said...

We built this city - Starship

Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House

Time After Time - Cindy Lauper

Sailing - Christopher Cross

Stand By Me - Ben E King

Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin

Respect - Aretha Franklin

Anonymous said...

I'm British and I joined in :P

Na Na Na Na Naa by Kaiser Chiefs. Yeeeeah.

Kami said...

"Extraordinary Machine" by Fionna Apple. It is a little known song, but once you listen to it you will know why it is a good pick-me-up song.

The chorus:

If there was a better way to go then it would find me.
I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me.
Be kind to me.
Or treat me mean.
I'll make the most of it.
I'm an extraordinary machine.

Grad3 said...

Big fan of Blister In the Sun by the Violent Femmes. I always sing along.

Also, a little more on the newer side, Feel Good Inc. by the Gorillaz. I can't keep myself from turning up the volume and rocking out when this songs comes on :)

My guilty pleasure is Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince- it makes me want to role the windows down.

Finally, Survivor by Destiny's Child. Do I really need to explain?

Anonymous said...

kd lang's version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" on "Hymns of the 49th parallel". Also her cover of Neil Young's "Helpless" on the same album. In fact, the whole damn album is grand.

Emmy Lou Harris - "Going back to Harlan" on "Wrecking Ball"

Anonymous said...

Wow- what a smorgasbord of songs.

"Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera

Meg said...

Glad to see lots of New Hamshirites are signing up for the candy exchange ;)

PaRi said...

Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw

K said...

Renegade - Styx (It's a Steelers defense thing)
Given to Fly - Pearl Jam
Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5
Glory Days - Bruce
Streetcorner Symphony - Rob Thomas
Me & My Gang - Rascal Flatts
Paradise By the Dashboard Light - Meatloaf
Testify - Rage Against the Machine

And I'm loving the DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince one!!!

lub said...

Pat Benetar's "Hit me with your Best Shot" and the Go-Go's "Vacation" get me going. Also a more recent, "Pop" by InSync. I am sure there are more- I will keep thinking. :)

Sunny said...

You are going to have to give me until Sunday to get my list together. :) I have many good songs! I am a music freak!!!! So be expecting my input in an email tomorrow.

Rachel said...

Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai
Birdhouse in Your Soul by They Might Be Giants
32 Flavors by Ani DiFranco

Deathstar said...

God is a DJ by Pink
Redemption Song by Bob Marley
Cruel Summer - Banarama
Sitting by the Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding
Take your Hat Off - Joe Cocker
I Can See Clearly Now - Holly Cole

Take your pick!

ms. c said...

Here Comes the Sun.

Anonymous said...

Twist & Shout - the Beatles

Natalie said...

Let's see, which are the songs I turn on when I really need to snap out of a funk and sing at the top of my lungs in my car? (When I'm ALONE.)

I'll have an easier time of it in the morning when I can actually listen to music, but
Men At Work - Aint Nothing Gonna To Break My Stride is a good one.
Smash Mouth - I'm A Believer
Joan Jett - Bad Reputation

Natalie said...

OMG, and I can't believe I forgot - Kristen reminded me - Barbie Girl by Aqua. I do a KICK ASS sing-along with actions and everything. My husband nearly peed his pants.

Drowned Girl said...

"I can see clearly now the rain has gone" by Jimmy Cliff

Wild World by Jimmy Cliff

Kelly Hutcheson said...

It's a Wonderful World by Louie Armsrong - this song makes you thankful no matter what your situation is in life :)

Sami said...

100 years by Five for Fighting... I danced to it at my wedding and I still think of the song and get happy... Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison

Unknown said...

I have a couple of more - oldies but goodies:

Don't Stop thinking about tomorrow by Fleetwood Mac

All Right Now by Free

Let the River Run by Carly Simon

In and Out of Luck said...

Off the top of me head

Scary Monsters - David Bowie
King and Queen of America - Eurythmics
Nashville Rash- Dale Watson
I Want Everything - Luna
What do All the People Know - The Monroes

Anonymous said...

Ice by Daniel Lanois. It is one of the most beautiful, sad and peaceful songs. I don't even know what it is about, which is odd as a person who knows a lot of lyrics, but Ice transports me and the next thing I know the song is over. It must be included.

katd said...

Mine is "Walking On Sunshine," too!! I am so happy I'm not alone! :)
"You Gotta Be" by Desiree is another semi-embarassing one! :)

Anonymous said...

"Anna Begins" by the Counting Crows. Album: August and Everything After.

Coffeegrljapan said...

Wow - awesome list!
I have to add "Celebrate Me Home" by Kenny Loggins. I always interpret the song's reference to "holidays" really broadly. To me it represents everything good about family, home and love.