Music of the heart

Hillary Clinton is pouring herself a cup of ambition. Senator Clinton, battling to regain lost ground in Ohio's March 4 primary, is using Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" as her campaign song while she traipses hopefully through the blue-collar state. This inspired me to take a look at other campaign songs used by Clinton and Obama and declare a favorite through entirely subjective, non-evidence based assessment.

DISCLAIMER: This exercise is for fun and entertainment purposes only. I did not vote in the Massachusetts primary using this rubric, nor will it affect any vote I cast in the November contest.

HILLARY CLINTON

9 TO 5- Dolly Parton- If you know me, you've probably heard me sing/scream this song at the top of my lungs. Seems like a good choice for Ohio, as Hills tries to win over middle-class workers. It's upbeat and seems like the exact opposite of anything Sen. Clinton would ever listen to, but that's part of the fun! I'd like to see Dolly come out and strut on stage, just so I can watch Hill awkwardly sway in the background.

You and I- Celine Dion. If I really was basing my vote on campaign songs, this choice would make it really hard not to vote for Hills. Anyone who knows and appreciates the depths and beauty of a Celine Dion ballad is someone that I know could conquer any problem that befalls her in the Oval Office. I'll admit though, for a presidential campaign song, these lyrics are a wee bit odd and melodramatic. But that is inherent in all things Celine, and if my girl Hillary is down with that, so am I. And? If Hillary ever needs any emergency management advice, Celine has a lot to offer. (Note: This song was chosen by Clinton's supporters in a poll on her official Web site, so it's apparently what Clintonites want to hear.)

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic- The Police. This song is an absolute downgrade. It is lyrically distant from anything that relates to the presidential process, but more importantly, it contains the lyrics "Every thing she does just turns me on." No, H-Money, please spare me. I don't want to think about anyone or anything turning you on. Ever. This song was chosen also by the her followers in the poll at HillaryClinton.com, however, so maybe there's a Hillary fetish voting niche that I don't know about.


BARACK OBAMA

Sign, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours- Stevie Wonder. This is a fun, upbeat song, and it's fun to picture Sen. Obama bopping along to it with Michelle. But to me, this will always be the Dancing Raisins song. I can't get on board with it, and I'd like the senator to consider other options. (Suggestion: "Spice Up Your Life")

Better Way- Ben Harper- I enjoy Ben Harper, and he is an appealing choice for the youth vote. The lyrics are a perfect complement to Obama's "Yes we can" campaign. My only complaint is that the vocals for this particular song have sound effects laid over them, and the song can sound slightly morose. May not energize a crowd, for that I recommend Harper's "Steal My Kisses." It would be hilarious. Just once, for me, Barack?

Yes we Can- feat. Will.I.Am and a buttload of celebrities. This video is the absolute bomb diggity. It features singers and actors singing or saying parts of Obama's speeches, particularly the "Yes we can" mantra. It features hotties like Kate Walsh and John Legend simultaneously speaking out AND rocking out. This video gets a double gold star because it heavily features The Fresh Prince of Bel Air's Tatiana Ali (who played Ashley Banks). But can someone explain why Scarlett Johanson always looks so pensive, and moves her mouth without sound coming out? It's alarming. And the chanting at the end is a little cult-ish. I get lost there. But overall, I think this video is a perfect summary of the Obama campaign and one that truly inspires interest and faith in a new presidency in '08.

The winner?

My vote for best campaign music is Hillary Clinton. Partly because it seems odd to associate Hillary with any music other than gentle NPR Sunday jazz, so every song is sort of a pleasantly humorous surprise. But mostly because Celine Dion trumps everything. That is a rule that guides my life, and I hope you don't judge me too harshly for it.

So, if Hillary's campaign ends up going the way of the Dodo, I demand that someone compile a "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" montage video, in which Hillary recalls the steps and mistakes that led to her downfall. Then, and only then, can I die happy.

A week in doodles.

This week was long and hard. Nothing terrible, just one of those weeks when a lot of little things go wrong and by the end, you want to crawl in bed and never get out. These doodles are the result of two particularly frustrating days. The first, Monday, is an artistic rendering of my walking path that day. I only had one class, and Mondays are usually great days for that reason. I study in the library for a little while, work at a relaxed pace and go to my only class at 3:45. This past Monday began with a 3-mile round-trip walk downtown to tutor at a school that turned out to be closed for Winter Break. My bad luck continued.

(Click to view full size)


The second is a doodle I drew on Thursday. By that time, I had hit a major roadblock with internships, had the most work of the semester, and endured several catastrophes related to group projects. I guess the grayness of Syracuse (aka The Doldrums) was getting me down, and I drew this as I nursed a cup of tea in Schine waiting for my next class.

It's okay if you think I'm crazy

I'm stressed and overwhelmed, and there are 1,873,936,331 other things I should be doing right now. Intead I am blogging to relieve some stress. Here's a list I've been thinking about for a while.

TOP 10 CELEBRITIES I WOULD INAPPROPRIATELY HUG IF I RAN INTO THEM ON THE STREET

1. Jo Frost. For those unfamiliar, she is better known as Supernanny. There is something special about the way this woman takes charge and brings comfort, strength and happiness back to families with her signature ease and charm. I know if I spent 10 minutes with her she would have my life all straightened out.
   
2. Morgan Freeman. I love this man. I love his wise, burning eyes and the ease with which he will say something very inappropriate but it will come out sounding like the finest compliment you've ever been paid. Note to self: Don't hug Morgan too fervently, he's old.
   
3. Natalie Portman. How can you not love this girl? She gives hope to young women everywhere that it's possible to be outrageously intelligent, but also successful and ridiculously attractive. I think Natalie would probably not like it very much if I hugged her, but she is so tiny and would fit nicely in my lumbering, burly arms.
   
4. Peter Jennings. Peter left us years ago, but my affection for him lives on stronger than ever. I'll get you in Heaven, Peter. Wait for me at the gates.
   
5. Penelope Cruz. I love her accent, and that her family's nickname for her is "Pene," which is Spanish for a discrete part of the male anatomy. If you catch my drift. You must appreciate a lady who puts up with such foolishness. She makes me laugh for no reason and I feel an odd compulsion to bake for her and brush my fingers through her hair. (Please do not judge me)
   
6. Celine Dion. I don't need to explain this one. But if the videos I've seen lately, which show Celine as having LOST HER MARBLES, are any indication, I think she would probably hug me back. And maybe kiss me on the neck. Which, for the record, I would not enjoy.
   
7. Tom Hanks. He is the gentlest, most good-natured man ever. If my child was in peril, I would ask Tom Hanks for help. And he would help me because he is that nice of a man. Then I would hug him and hold him close until he confessed that wewere even more like peas and carrots than Forrest and Jenny were.
   
8. Richard Gere. Unfaithful, anyone? Runaway Bride? I love his crinkly eyes and formerly-premature gray hair. We would go out for drinks in an entirely platonic way and at the end of the night I would bury my face in the folds of his pea coat.
   
9. Gregory Smith. He played Ephram on the WB's cancelled "Everwood" (best show ever). He perfected the nervous, quirky smart boy act and every girl with half a brain wanted Ephram to love her, even if he was being a pompous ass most of the time.
   
10. Britney Spears. A hug from me may be the last thing to save this girl. I would grab her and hold her close, swaying my hips violently and rubbing her back until she broke down sobbing and promised to let me help her. I hope I am taller than Britney Spears, otherwise this will be awkward.
    

French Villagers, Politicians and Word Nerds

Recent indulgences in board game purchases necessitated a blog entry. I am fortunate enough to be friends with a slew of people who enjoy board games as much as I do, and we've been playing a lot lately. It's an excellent outlet for my fiercely competitive side, and most games usually result in maximum amounts of laughs and jokes and minimal amounts of throat slashing and tears. I've played the following games in the past week and would like to offer a few brief thoughts.



Carcassonne- This came to my attention as a top-ranked game on Amazon (which, for some reason, regularly sends me e-mails about games and toys). It's a strategic tile-laying game in which players use strategy to compete for land, roads, cities and monasteries in a medieval French City. Because players lay tiles with each turn, the game changes every time you play it and can never be played the same way. Players place game pieces in land areas and designate the pieces as farmers, thieves, knights or monks, respectively. When areas are completed, players get points if they have placed a game piece there. Tiles are drawn randomly; chance plays a role in the game, but real winners will use strategy to maximize points by owning the most or largest completed cities, roads and monasteries. The more you play this game, you'll find added dimensions and opportunities to strategize and help yourself or disable your opponent. But occasions will arise when the decisions could be difficult--ie possibilities to help yourself that could backfire and give your opponent points. First-time players will find the directions long and complicated, but play through a couple of rounds and it all becomes clear very quickly. Carcassonne is for ages 8 and up, and can host 2-5 players. Depending on the number of participants, gameplay may last from 20 minutes to an hour. You'll find yourself strategizing long after you've won or lost, as there are many points to be gained after all the tiles are put down, depending on where you placed your game pieces. Farmers are particularly valuable and are not scored until the end of the game. f the siren song of Carcassonne keeps you up at night, racking your brain about action plans and point systems, never fear, because there are sites online where you can play. Watch out though, strangers online may play dirty, and there's something satisfying about staring into the face of your opponent while you score major points by making a kick-ass monastery. Grade: A-



Election USA- Are you a political junkie tired of watching endless cycles of election coverage on MSNBC, or do you find yourself refreshing your Politico.com browser window more than fives times in an hour? Give yourself a recess (Congress does it all the time!) and indulge in Election USA, a satirical board game that encourages players to win the Republican nomination. Yes, you have to play a Republican, but bleeding-heart liberals shouldn't fear, because most of the playing cards are witty spoofs on Republican policy. To win , players must use their fundraising money wisely, avoid journalists looking to air dirty laundry, and compete for advertising money in six areas of the country. Players also bid for policies using "sincerity points." Patience, planning and bluffing skills are important for a wise player. But political neophytes shouldn't shy away, this game is easy to understand and doesn't demand any real electoral acumen of participants. Watch out though, this isn't necessarily a game to whip out at the next family Christmas party, it's targeted to a certain audience, and fans may have trouble finding enough people to play with. This is the first political game I've ever come across, and it's a refreshingly entertaining new topic. For me though, this game could be better. I think the novelty will wear off after a few run-throughs. If the card-drawing system was reworked or higher stakes were added, the game might be more interesting. I'd like to see more gaming companies expand on this political concept. Health Care USA! Foreign Policy APOCALYPSE. And hey, if they're useful enough, maybe we could pass them along to some of our more misguided and ill-informed politicians. For 3-5 players, ages 12 and up. Grade: B-


Bananagrams- So far, this is the runaway hit among my posse. A clever word game combining elements from Scrabble and Boggle to make a hybrid that is impossible to stop playing. Players form words in a crossword-style, as in Scrabble but without the constraints of a game board, and are free to re-arrange and start over as many times as needed. Once players use all of their tiles, more are taken from the middle pile until all the tiles are gone and a winner has used every tile in his crossword. "Dumping" is allowed, where a player can dump a difficult letter and take three more as a penalty. Tip: Be weary of this when the game is drawing to a close, because you'll likely come back with a handful of x's, z's and k's. If you love word games, you'll adore Banangrams, but don't expect to play it with anyone who doesn't like Scrabble or Boggle. People who have a difficult time forming words under timing and letter constraints will be easily frustrated and find that using all of their tiles is a significant challenge. One of the best parts about this game is that it's highly portable. It just comes in a small sack shaped like a banana and can be thrown into a purse or carry-on bag. Because there's no game board or scoresheet, you can play it anywhere--airports, classrooms, homeless shelters. Our favorite place to play is nestled in a cozy coffeeshop where our brains will be more linguistically inclined with a steady flow of coffee and hot chocolate. Ages 7 and up, players 2-8. Games with 3 or more players take 15 minutes or less, but games with only two can take up to an hour. Grade: A

Back on the Bean, an Ode.

Last week, I made the mistake of trying to ''give up" coffee. I knew in my heart of hearts that this could never actually happen. Caffeine is not only in my bloodstream, but also could probably be found in my hair follicles and other remote regions of my body, such as under my toe nails.

That's a pleasant image, I know. You're welcome.

But in all seriousness, I've had a life-long love affair with coffee and and meet all of its incarnations with equal enthusiasm-espresso, cappuccino, lattes, cafe au lait.. In preschool, I would down coffee milk (the official drink of the state of Rhode Island!) by the gallon. This actually resulted in medical issues that required the attention of a doctor. But nothing could keep my away, not even an ultrasound of my intestines at Boston's Children's Hospital.

Since then, my love has burgeoned to greater heights than I ever considered possible. I currently own two coffeemakers, an espresso machine (with milk steamer!), a coffee grinder, and various flavors and roasts of coffee, ground and whole bean. For a Web Design project, where we had to create a Web site for a pretend business, I, of course, chose to make one for a fictional cafe. It exists in my mind and it's beautiful. You should come by sometime.

Needless to say, the two achingly agonizing days that I was off the bean made me realize the depths of my caffeine addiction. Above all, I drink coffee to stay awake. It is a necessity because, in many ways, I am an 84-year-old woman. One of these ways has to do with the ease with which I drift off to sleep in public, sometimes when I am in mid-sentence. It's not really due to boredom, or laziness. I could be perfectly alert when entering a movie theater and then rapidly descend into unconsciousness before the opening credits are through.

Besides its practical applications (ie, "Keep your eyes open, Grandma! This is my wedding!"), I am deeply in love with coffee. It noticeably boosts my mood. When I drink it, I am actually very aware of the ways in which it wakes up my brain and improves my concentration (This is true Ashley. Not a placebo effect. I read it.) I loves its heat, its full-bodied taste, its versatility-- bitter or sweet, hot or cold! It's aroma can fill a room (and frequently fills mine. Sorry Ashley). It boosts my mood, alertness, productivity, and well, sometimes there is nothing more comforting or satisfying than a cup of hot coffee.

I am never going to give it up. Perhaps it's a vice. I usually spend $10-$15 a week on it, and that' s not including what I make myself. But that's okay because you can't put a price on love.

Fun fact: Coffee is the second-most widely traded commodity after oil.