English

My favorite class officially. This year it is one of few classes I am getting a solid A in, I am english student of the month, and next year I am both taking the honors course of this, and a course called Creative Writing! VERY exciting.
That and my english teacher s wonderful. I told him one day I liked fantasy and he then wrote down a couple poems, stories, and art I would love. Tis epical.
So yeah... I LOVE English

Doesn't feel like long ago...

It doesn't feel like like long ago I was itching in crazy excitement for the July 14th release of Celtic Thunder; Take Me Home... does it? 

Well, now I'm crazed with excitement again! February 9th!! Celtic Thunder; It's Entertainment!!!!! 

Yeah... That just like... oozes awesomeness. ^__^

And again...

because when I'm bored I look stuff up on youtube, and when I find something I love... I blog 'bout it.

Here's another something I've known about my entire life, but has never graced the blog screen. The first Irish thing I ever loved; Riverdance.

Now, I can dance. But I can't IRISH dance. That's a bit too high above me... but I can dream. And of course, my lack of ability makes it look even cooler when seeing people who CAN do it, and do it well. Tis why I adore Riverdance. 

Have the original show on VHS in my basement and watch it whenever I'm sick - like a tradition... there are new versions that come out, with a new cast of people but normally the same dances. (One of the principle/lead dancers for one year was Zara Curtis - the lovely Celtic Thunder dancer.)

Here are two dances from it. This is the opening one (from the original)

Reel Around The Sun

And this is kinda like the ending one... not sure if it actually ever gets a name (also the original)

Is anyone surprised...

... that I found ANOTHER Irish singing group?  Actually, I've heard them for a while and haven't gotten around to blogging 'bout 'em. A different kind of awesome than Celtic Thunder but I have to say, it's pretty awesome all the same. I think Evan would approve more than he does of my favorite CT XD 

They're called The High Kings and consist of four guys that sing a lot more ballad-y traditional stuff. Being that I like more upbeat music I can't say I care for a lot of it. But one or two of their songs are fun.

This one is my favorite by them. Hope you's enjoy it. 

Not much...

Sorry for not too many blog postings... life has been pretty uneventful after the months of CT-tastic-ness lol

Getting ready for Christmas... I finished the presents for the 5 guys... as well as a few gifts for on and offline friends. Blasting Paul's Christmas CD all the while. 

Life is good. 

Late but great the St. Louis Celtic Thunder recap!!

HOLY COW!! St. Louis was an AMAZING show - let me tell you!!

Firstly - I DID see the guys by the buses!!! Explanation is coming...
Myself and some wonderful other area thunderheads got together for a pre-show dinner. In there I re-met Christie (a friend from the forums) and for the first time met her 5 year old twin sons, Cameron and Jacob in their kilts. I swear to you, I was ready to kidnap them by the end of the dinner. Just TOO CUTE. 
Anyways, the dinner had more or less ended and we had about an hour and a half before the doors even opened. So Kelly (another forum friend), her daughter Emily, Christie, her husband and the twins, MY friend emily, my mom, her mom and I go for a walk, along with one or two other TH's - maybe 12 people or so in all. We decided to go to Christie's car and get the boys their glow sticks. And across the street from her car? The buses.
Well, I'm like... oh it's too close to the show, they're inside by now. So without any weird feelings Emily and I run to the big CT bus and get our pictures taken, and run back. So we're chatting and putting on our glow sticks and suddenly the bus doors open and three people come out. I didn't pay much attention to the first person, mainly because the two behind him were quite obviously PAUL AND KEITH!
So trying not to be crazy Emily and I yell hello and wave, and they wave back!! Then Kelly yells something about them coming out to talk after the concert and the person I wasn't paying attention to yells back kindly, "Sorry, but we'll probably have to get back to the buses!"
So they all go inside and my mom turns to me and nearly squeals, "Oh my gosh Ryan spoke to us!" And I'm like O.O "THAT WAS RYAN!?" I cannot believe I wasn't paying attention to him!! I feel awful! lol
So then, the buses opened again and, God bless her, my mom pokes me and says; "Is that Damian?" And lo and behold, it was! And Damian was the twins' favorite so they both happily yell "HI DAMIAN!! YOU'RE OUR FAVORITE THUNDER BOY!" (could they BE any cuter?) and Damian, you could see him smile across the street, waves and yells "Hello!" Back to all of us waving. 
So that was amazing! Sure it wasn't an autograph or a picture, but it was more than I ever hoped for that night anyways... and it wasn't like I was in the masses of screaming girls either. They were waving to US.

So then the show started... here's my basic rundown.

Keith for one, I don't know what it was but I really finally noticed the beauty of his voice tonight! Middle of Castle's in The Air my jaw just fell and I was like; "KEITH!!!!! Why have i not noticed that you have the sweetest voice I've ever heard!?" I loved it. He told us all that we were "Too kind" 

Damian is such a dork. I love him. His dancing was awkward but endearing and the laughter he broke into in the middle of one of his songs was incredibly charming and infectious. His voice never ceases to surprise me - so low, so rich. He really seems comfortable with THAT at least now. lol 

Ryan was great craic as usual. I re-realized how... um... fit? yes, how *fit* he was in Ride On. He comes out in his VERY tight t-shirt of his, and, well, I just about melted then and there. And he hadn't even begun singing yet! lol "Welcome to the Pleasure Dome" was predictably hysterical.

Paul... Paul was Paul. Playful and powerful and just absolutely breathtakingly perfect. I could hardly breathe after You Raise me Up... not even kidding. Lots of smiles, even when his mic went weird in Steal Away. Kilt flip - also hilarious, not that I'd expect any different.

George always makes me smile, and tonight was so wonderful! 500 Miles was insane and just about the most fun thing to watch ever. He had a lot of fun gesturing to the audience and smiling at those in the first few rows. Such a sweetie. Like Keith, his voice just kind of hit me again - it's so gorgeous. 

Okay, of the audience I have no complaints. Well, there was a group that came a little late, three women and a man and they had a thing of whispering amongst themselves. Not too distracting but still. When I heard whispers during The Old Man I turned slightly planning to politely tell them to Shh. The man was nearly sobbing, wiping his eyes under his glasses. I don't think I could possibly put them down as uncaring fans after that.
Same man laughed quite a bit in Ryan's parts of That's a Woman... enough for me to quickly decided this wasn't just their first Celtic Thunder concert, but some of their first times hearing the music at all.
Oh and there was a girl who yelled "I love you Damian!" At the end of A Bird Without Wings. But I do believe she was the same girl who yelled "Go Declan (the drummer)! We love you!" At the end of his parts in the Raggle Taggle drum battle. So again, I couldn't find it in me to put her on the 'bad behavior' list.

All and all - WONDERFUL NIGHT! Pictures coming once Emily sends them to me!! lol

Storm music part 1!

A lot of the songs (Particularly in the second half) in the show are covers.... so I'm going to start posting the originals if you want to hear. I'll tell you who sang it as well.

Shadows Dancing (despite what the video says the title is) 

This was first written like this, as only piano.... but then for Storm he wrote lyrics to it, which I sadly do not have. It was sung by a female dancer who danced with Keith throughout. Pretty neat. 

STORM!!!

The most epical thing in existence.

yeah....

Can it be Christmas yet?

Not that it being months away is really keeping me from listening to christmas music. It will be nice to get closer to the christmas season for that musical reason. And i only recently discovered, surprise, Celtic Thunder's Paul Byrom has a christmas CD! 

Tis heavenly. 

So? Can it be Christmas yet?

grocery store look-alikes...

really really creepy stuff, it is. 

There is a kid, who goes to the same grocery store as us... and he looks EXACTLY like

^That. (yes, that IS Edmund from the Chronicles of Narnia movies)

I mean not, KIND OF like him. I mean, EXACTLY LIKE HIM. To the point of it being mildly disturbing. 

...yeah.... weird.

Because me MOM actually suggested it...

... and it's CT related *le gasp*  I'm posting a tribute video of the guys, made by one of my close online friends Essie/Sarah. It's a really well made video and it has shots from both the old DVD and the new one.

Enjoy

Adding to the instruments I'd love to play and can't

Fiddle

Joys of obsessions and social networking sites

and when your obsession is on said social networking site.

In other words, Damian, Keith, Paul, Ryan And George all have twitter. Which is a lovely site where they can nearly daily tell us what they are up to. Which is a wonderful thing for us fangirls. 

It's kind of fun to read what they post on there, because it's normally a lot sillier than what we expect from them. Here's just a little expert of some generic posts from the boys. All of these posts were from Monday, by the way. 

Ryan Kelly; Had a fight with the road while out running and lost. Bloody knee and bruised ego to boot. 

Damian McGinty; Spain is awesome!! Loving the warm weather, lying in the sun all day doing nothing....releasing all that stress i have!!!!!!(sarcasm) ha..

Keith Harkin; surfed all week...hence the absence on here ... done a nice gig last night in a friends cafe...

Paul Byrom; Just sold my car! Now, what to replace it with?

George Donaldson; Nobody would want to buy my car, but at least i am stable on my feet whilst out running!!!!

Ryan Kelly; Thanks for all the sympathy, especially from George. He must be getting sentimental in his very old age..Leg is resting up, watching "Crash"

Love the teasing between Ryan and George. And yes, Damian IS in Spain. Lucky kid.

Fainting...

... it's scary.

Went to Six Flags with Dad and Ian today! Tons of craic as always!! But it so happens while standing in line for our 4th ride and I suddenly feel very dizzy and sick. One second I'm leaning on the line railing for support....

... Next thing I'm on the ground and Dad's asking me if I'm okay. Apparently I'd fainted. That's something that, I'm happy to say, has NEVER happened before to me. Hopefully it'll never happen again.

I've had over three things of water and much to eat since then, all while trying to convince my family that I feel a-okay now! 

What made me laugh today...

Love. A grave mental disease. LOL 

Expect a post on the show this from before the day is through...

Still in variety mood.... but not really...

We get Sephira!! 

What makes this Variety but not really Variety is that the two beautiful girls that make up "Sephira", sisters Ruth and Joyce O'leary, are the two violinists in the string quartet that travels with Celtic Thunder. 

So it's variety... but not really...

Either way the music the two gals make is absolutely beautiful. Minus the back up singing they do in Damian's Happy Birthday Sweet 16, I hadn't the faintest idea they were singers as well as violinists. I had actually heard Keith talk about the group at one point as well, but didn't know that the girls were the same. I'm quite slow.

back to some kind of variety....

but still music, and still a guy. 

JOSH GROBAN!!

Have I ever told you all the song "You Raise Me Up" has been done to death. (No offense to Celtic Woman, or Paul. Their versions are plenty nice) Well, Josh's was the first version of it I ever heard. Not counting an annoying kid in a sixth grade talent show.

My friend Lauren, who is brilliant at knowing what I like, let me listen to some more of his songs a while back. He has such a fantastically beautiful voice. And he's totally humble and hilarious too. Good qualities, they are.

And while I love all the versions I've heard, there is something incredibly awesome about doing it with a gospel choir. Yay Josh!

I'll tell ya what- WOW!

Ryan Kelly - Heartbreaker - old DVD

Ryan Kelly - Heartbreaker - NEW DVD

I'm not sure I can tell you all what I think of this without my aunty barb covering my cousins eyes. *cough* i'll just leave it at WOW

What I can connect to Celtic Thunder

You honestly cannot have a normal conversation with me without things being connected to Celtic Thunder. Here are some seemingly safe topics that could be used against you;

Twitter 

Voting

T-shirts

Jeans

Sleeping Beauty

Velvet

Irish Dancing

Ipods

count-downs

November

July 14th

Dairy

Basketball

Soccer

Weddings

Hats

New York City

Fan-Fiction

Surfing

Toronto

Swanky (best word ever, by the way)

Apples To Apples

Blue

Highlighter Blue

Scarves 

Thailand

Leather

Squirrels

Halos 

VW beetles

Chairs 

Cowboys

The list COULD go on, believe me. But I'll spare you. 

Celtic Thunder new stuffs

CAUSE IT'S FINALLY ON YOUTUBE!! With good quality.

It might be down soon so watch it while you can!!

To start with a bang;

(flash backs of Elvis are playing my head *wink*)

And to end with a bang;

What made me laugh today...

Ryan.... @ about 1:52

*giggles*

My strange taste in music

I do, like most teens, enjoy some modern pop and rock music. A lot of it has wonderfully catchy beats and fun music. 

But the majority of my musical tastes come in weird places. Examples.

- Celtic Music. Need I say more? Traditional (or as Keith calls it, "Trad") music, from Ireland and Scotland. I like the lyrics and the music of Traditional Celtic music. 

- Classical. Look at the artists on my ipod and you will see, among everything else, Beethoven, Bach, and the like. It's beautiful and relaxing. 

- New Age. Stuff like Enya. 

- Foreign music. If it's not in english and has a good beat, I like it.

- 80's pop. But we've been through that. That stuff is the catchiest music in the whole world.

- Disco. A weird one. But it's fun and crazy, so I like it.

- Swing Music. There's a new one for a 15 year old girl. Truth be told, I ADORE music from the 30's, 40's and 50's. I'm talking Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby to name a small few. The more upbeat Jazz to the quieter love songs. It's just fantastic.

- Oh! And Michael Bublé! Because he's bringing all the swing-ness back. Though he's in a world of modern singers and voices he's just- wow! It's nice to have someone with that kind of voice and style around for me.

yea. It's strange, I think. But that's just me! 

Bad quality but you get the idea.

... and boy, do you get the idea.

makes me wonder....

Two days ago my blog got visits from someone in Glasgow, Scotland and Dublin, Ireland...

I doubt it but part of me wonders if any of the guys found my blog. Wouldn't that be amazing? It's pretty amazing that I got visits from anyone that faraway anyways. 

bad news and absolutely wonderfully amazing news

BED NEWS - Celtic Thunder Backstage passes for the Nov. 3 show = SOLD OUT not all too surprised. Should have seen that coming.

GOOD NEWS - My mom, my friend Emily, her mom, and I have Gold Level tickets to see Celtic Thunder on Nov. 3. 

Gold Level = form the orchestra pit to row 16. Gosh darn close by any account. 

I'm sad and ecstatic at the exact same time! YAY!

*FANGIRL SQUEAL* Part C

It's the last one  I PROMISE! (okay no I don't... but most likely...)

and here is why;

CELTIC THUNDER IS COMING TO THE ST.LOUIS FOX THEATER OF TUESDAY NOVEMBER THIRD AT 8:00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*dances around happily* Can't wait! Can't Wait! Can't wait! Who knew a person could ever wish for summer break to be OVER like I am now. 

*FANGIRL SQUEAL* Part B

it won't let me embed it so you have to stick to this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeWBL8WNEZA

*FANGIRL SQUEAL*

yeah I know...

mommy's day was yesterday.... but this was to darn hilarious to pass up.

Musical - Hairspray...

Can't deny the awesomeness of this one. Even if I hate Zac Efron's guts. Deals with the usual believe-in-yourself stuff and don't-judge-people-by-their-differences. good nice fun stuff. I like how it goes against Racism and stuffs. Fun music, great dancing. Win all around. Defiantly recommend this one!

Movie - Anastasia

I was shocked beyond belief when I heard that my dear cousins had never seen this movie! It is one of my absolute favorite movies in the whole world. It's in the top 5 movies I've grown up on and I will never get tired of it.

It's based VERY VERY loosely off a true story. The beginning for sure is...

It's starts with a ball held by the royal family of Russia that turns into tragedy as Rasputin, a selfish and power-obsessed man sets a curse on the Royal family (didn't really happen) then with help lets a mob of revolutionaries that within that one night over throw the royal family and kill them all (really DID happen).  With the help of a servant boy, the youngest princess, Anastasia, and her grandmother are able to escape that night. However while rushing to leave Russia Anastasia looses her grandmother and hits her head. 

10 years later, you meet Anastasia again. She goes by Anya now and has no memory of what happened and who she is. She only knows, from a necklace she's had from before she lost her memory, that she has family in Paris(her grandmother - she doesn't know that, though) 

Anya hears of two men who have plans to go to Paris and decides to see if they can help her. They say the girl the last ticket is for is Anastasia, who they plan to reunite with her Grandmother.  They convince Anya that she could quite possibly be the princess, and with that she comes with them. 

Along the way you find out Rasputin is after the princess after learning that his curse was unfinished.  And also that Dimitri, one of the two men helping Anya, was in fact the servant boy who saved her life. 

fun stuff. By the way... it's got music too!

Here she's at the palace 10 years after the Russian Revolution and starts to have memories of her past. She's kind of crazy here. like seeing things and stuff. But it's fun to watch.  

The 3 girls around her are her sisters, and the guy she dances with at then end is her dad.

What made me laugh today

I should hope this needs little explanation...

Well what do you know!

My dad comes home today with an extra little something. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have myself a Bodhran! I'm so excited! It is a bit cheeper than some but it still sounds gorgeous. I'm practicing a lot, they aren't easy, but that's half the fun.

Celtic-ness again.

I have recently gained interest in a type of Celtic drum called a bodhran. They sound really fun and cool. It would be fun to get one just to play and it occurred to me if I ever got ahold of one my bagpipe playing cousin, Evan, and I could practice together. Whenever we do get together. 

A fun idea. Now if only I could get one. 

Bodhrans are basically the drum it's self which looks a little something like this...

(That stick thing on the one laying down is what you hold on to while playing)

...and a drumstick called a tipper

Here is someone nice enough on youtube to upload himself playing one one of these... They sound pretty darn cool.

accents

yes I'm already back to Celtic Thunder. No escaping them. *maniacal laughter* *cough* sorry. 

To stray from their music however I thought I'd post an interview or two. So you can hear their accents. 

I like these two best. 

This one is the one right before there show in August 07. The one on the DVD. (look at how tiny Damian is)

And This is from April 6 this year... about 8 days ago (once again, look at Damian - two years changes a LOT)

Happy Easter!!

Jesus Christ is risen today! Alleluia Alleluia!!! Hope everyone has an amazing day and following Easter season! 

Most adorable two scenes ever.

from a movie called Stardust. I've loved this movie to DEATH from the first moment I saw it. It once again contains my two favorite things in movies: Fantasy and Romance. I'll explain the entire plot later. But I'll just say the main two characters are Yvaine and Tristan. (Yvaine is a star by the way, that fell on earth... it'll be explained later.) 

Anyways... at one point in Yvaine and Tristan's adventures, Tristan gets turned into a mouse. It's at this point, once Yvaine is relatively sure Tritan doesn't understand her in his mouse state, that she goes into this wonderful speech.

And later, now that Tristan is happily not a mouse we get this scene.

How interesting...

I noticed ever since I started posting about 4 Irishmen and a Scott my blog has gotten views from lots of different places... Which is great! It's fun to see where other CT fans are from and how they are all finding my blog. *giggles* 

For all those who may be reading:

Let me Tell you That I love You! *wink*

Wicked Songs

Some that I really really love.

Elphaba singing about her dream of meeting/working with the Wizard:

You've all heard this one...: 

Best friends Elphaba and Galinda go to visit the Wizard in the Emerald City:

Elphaba after finding out The Wonderful Wizard isn't what we all think he is...(one of my favorites..):

Elphaba and Galinda(now Glinda) at the end of musical, still friends after everything:

Variety

it's good stuff.  so um... to stray away from our favorite four irishmen and a scott, we have something new!

WICKED!!!!!

Which is the BEST musical ever. Seen Wizard of Oz? Of course, you have, who hasn't? Of course some of you have probably seen it and totally forgot it. Here's a recap. Poor girl from Kansas gets transported to a world called Oz, via tornado. There she gets mixed up with good and bad witches (from almost every direction), some odd people/animals who all have problems of their own, a remarkable pair of shoes, and of course the wonderful wizard who turns out to be not so wonderful ("pay no attention to the man behind the curtain"), then wakes up and it was all a dream..... OR WAS IT?

Well going on the assumption that it wasn't, we get Wicked. The musical telling us more about the Witches of Oz, a particular two to be exact. Elphaba - later the Wicked Witch of the West and Galinda/Glinda - The Good Witch of the North. Now these two's stories begin in... well collage. Elphaba, a young remarkably smart girl was born with a certain flaw. She's green. This scares people and basically keeps her from making any friends. That's until she meets Galinda, a popular pretty girl, who eventually sees past Elphaba's odd looks and becomes her friend. Of course a lot  of bad stuff happens and the friendship is tried many times. Especially when the rest of Oz turns on Elphaba as being a "wicked witch" .

Great musical. Great songs. Great story. Love it. 

back again!

The forums are up again, and it's treated as though we haven't each other in months. Still, the happiness and hugs were great craic. 

Here's an expert of some conversation we had jsut as it started up again. (my username is Miss. Sunflower, the other ones are some of my friends on there)

Miss. SunFlower: *cries and hugs forum* oh how I missed it! Missed it SOOO Bad!

Wildcat: I agree! I missed everybody so much!

FiddleQueen: I know what you mean! I feel so pitiful! I couldn't go on for one day and it felt like weeks!

Miss. SunFlower: It's not pitiful! okay yeah it is. BUT we can all be pitiful together again!

CraicN: Excuse me for a moment [*walks outside**yells* ->] OH MY GOODNESS!! IT'S BACK!!! Geeze, I swear one more day without this place and I would have burst at the seems.

Yeah. we all love it. So I'm so happy right now!

Getting your hopes up....(part B)

okay.... I've already told you my stance on this right? Don't do it. 

Yeah.... well I did. Again. Easier said than done, and all that....

Let's see. It all starts with a forum, a fan forum, for Celtic Thunder. A place where a bunch of fans can get on and talk about our one common interest. It's more fun than that though. Just because it's about Celtic Thunder doesn't mean that was all we were confined to talk about. WE could chat about anything (G-rated, mind you) and soon a bunch of us were really close friends. Ages and distance didn't matter at all. I loved it there.

It crashed. Boom! Gone. Means I've now lost contact with my newest friends, likely to never talk to them again. 

Well, I didn't know that ever again part last night, when it crashed. So I go to bed thinking for sure tomorrow it'll be up again. It's a one night thing, it'll be up in a few hours. And before i know it I'm not depressed anymore, not depressed because it'll be up tomorrow. Of course.

Wake up this morning, nothing.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why one doesn't get their hopes up. 

HAPPY BELATED ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

making it easier...

you know on the post about Damian's voice... here's a better, youtube video of it. :) no fast forwarding needed. 

Getting your hopes up....

....Don't do it.

That's my advice today. I'll explain later, I'm really not in the mood now.

Damian McGinty...

Sorry Aunt Barb, "4 Men And A Boy" can't describe Celtic Thunder anymore. Because well... you'll see. 

http://blip.tv/file/1876598

Wait for the video to load all the way then fast forward to 9:o8. That's when Damian starts singing.

This was video taped YESTERDAY. Firday, March 13th. so you know.

I'm 15!!!!!!!!!

well actually I have been such for a few days... but anyways I'm now a year older! YAY! 

and to add to the celebration I also have SPRING BREAK! And a lot of free time! Yay again!

Fun with Vocabulary.

I thought I ought to do a word of the day/week sorta thing... and I still might but one word just had to get it's own post. It's also in my inside jokes list. 

Craic

Already said, it's pronounced like crack. Thankfully the definition is different. Craic = fun, jokes, good times ect. Used in sentences it would go something like;

"That was great craic."

"We'll be having the craic." 

"I just enjoy the craic."

Two things I'd like to point out right now. First off, it's not an English word... it's Gaelic. Second, all three of those quotes have been used........................ by members of Celtic Thunder. Yeah. That's not the only reason I love it though. It's just so much fun to say, especially because when most american people hear any of those phrases they're gonna look at you weird. Which is always fun. 

Inside jokes...

A little insight on how insane my friends and I can truly be. 

I confess, NONE of this will make ANY sense to any of you... that's why they're inside jokes. They are all still fun to read, even if you don't get it. 

Oh and by the way, we have A LOT of jokes. I'll try to limit them to the oddest most fun..

-TRUE FEELINGS.

-The "Family Tree"

-PRETTINESS! OMG!

-Multiple personalities

- I like Banana's 'cause they taste like chicken 'cause the matrix messed up!!! (yea... that one's odd...)

-This chocolate milk is AWESOME.

-Avocados... they're a fruit you know...

-in the fanfiction of our life...

-part B!

-What kind of resort IS  this?

-Disco Pirates (also very odd)

-Tangerinkle (Tangerine+Periwinkle)

-Candy Mountain

-When in doubt assume it's a guy.

-Craic (pronounced like crack.)

Like I said there are plenty more but these are just some one line things that if said to any of my friends would get us in hysterics... some more than others...

Because I am just SO obsessed.

Where are you going to be on St. Patrick's Day? I'll, sadly, be here. But I know what I'll be doing. I'm going to have my eyes glued to the live St. Patrick's Day parade in New York. And do you know why? ... c'mon it's not that hard...

CELTIC THUNDER! That's why! 

Yes, that's right, the five wonderful guys are going to be performing in New York to start out the parade. Very exciting on my part, because I haven't seen anything with them recently. All the video's I watch are from last summer and earlier. I'm looking forward to it now. 

Of course this would be so much MORE exciting if I could BE in New York for it.... it is over my spring break... but I don't think that'll happen. I have to settle for live TV.

What Made Me Laugh Today

No, nothing related to Celtic Thunder, but still fun.

Novel - The Lioness and her Knight

Now when one knows they will be in a car for over 12 hours one needs to pick out their entertainment well. As in books you haven't already read to death. So, that in mind, while I packed my bad of art supplies and music I spied the perfect written companion for the trip.

The Lioness and her Knight. 

I got said novel as a late birthday present from my mom over a year ago. I had never once heard of the book before, she just figured "it's a fantasy, Maggie will like it." and so that was that. 

Still, despite knowing nothing of it, I have found it to be almost at the top of my favorite books. the very top at that. I reread it at least 3 times during the trip. It's just beyond good. 

The story is based off of a romantic story-poem during Medieval times. So that, of course, is the setting for the book. Kinda mushy I'm sure. But that is why the Novel twists it a bit. 

Luneta is tired of living in dull Orkney with her mother and father (who happens to be the most boring knight of King Arthur’s Round Table). She prides herself on always getting what she wants, so when the opportunity presents itself, she jumps at the chance to stay at, a family friend, Lady Laudine's castle near Camelot. Her handsome cousin, Sir Ywain —a young knight seeking adventure—arrives just in time to escort her to King Arthur’s court. Along the way they pick up a knight-turned-fool named Rhience, whose wit and audacity make the book most enjoyable. Before arriving at Lady Laudine’s castle, the trio stops at Camelot, where they hear the story of the Storm Stone, a magical object deep in the forest that soon sweeps everyone into a web of love, betrayal, and more than a bit of magic.

Filled with broken promises, powerful enchantresses, unconventional sword fights, fierce and friendly lionesses, mysterious knights, and damsels in and out of distress.

Consider checking it out, it is defiantly one of the best books I've ever read. (and yes, my dear cousins, it tops Twilight. Big time) 

Which do you like better?

Now as much as I'd love to, and I'd LOVE to, I can't do another complete post on Celtic Thunder. Then you'd all think me obsessed. I can't have that, now can I? *wink* But being, well, me I simply can't go without bringing them up again....

So we're doing a nice little comparison! Between Celtic Thunder and Celtic Women. The differences in the two groups is pretty obvious through their names. One, well you already know Celtic Thunder, is all guys. The other, obviously, is all girls. 

CT (incase you forgot):

And CW:

While both sing a mix between older Celtic tunes and more modern stuff, I found only two songs that they both sing: Caledonia and Danny Boy.

So here is Danny Boy from each of them... (I should mention that CW does a longer version).

Celtic Women:

Danny Boy - Celtic Woman

Celtic Thunder:

Danny Boy - Celtic Thunder

 Let me know which you like better.

More music from Ireland!!!

Because, according to my mother, my obsession is officially "Music From Ireland" Ie. Celtic Thunder, Celtic Women, U2, and the one this post is about....

ENYA!

Along with everything else she's absolutely gorgeous.... but anyways the post is more on her music. Which is also beautiful. 

Enya has this sort of whispery voice that is always really calming. In my opinion it's like her music takes you to different places in your mind. Certain songs make me picture caribbean beaches then others I picture a snowy forest, a medieval castle, endless fields of waist high grass, a rainy fall day....

oh! I could just go on and on! But I won't I think you all need to hear her for yourself. If you haven't...

Easily amused...

'kay I'm looking up something Celtic Thunder related on Google and on the very first page what comes up?

My last post on this blog.

I don't know what I find so cool about it but I was just like "omigosh! my blog's on google!!" I'm a bit strange like that.

Irish guys *swoon*

CELTIC THUNDER!!! yay!!

aren't they pretty? Okay don't answer that.... I think they are at least.

In order of there singing in the video I'm about to post, they are:

George Donaldson: age 41, the oldest and the only one who's NOT from ireland, he's scottish. Has the deepest voice of them all

Paul Byrom: age 30, has a very classical opera sounding voice, very funny personality, and my second favorite (tied with Damian)

Damian McGinty: age 16, the youngest of them all, has a very strong voice for being so small, he often sings the more kiddy songs to get the "aw!" factor from the audience. My second favorite (tied with Paul)

Ryan Kelly: Also 30, Ryan is quite the actor of the group, he likes singing songs where he gets to play the "bad boy" and he plays that part well. It's almost hard to tell it's an act!

Keith Harkin: age 22, last but defiantly not least, Keith is my favorite of the group. He has the thickest accent both when talking and singing. He also writes songs, and plays guitar

So here are the 5 in ^that order singing Ireland's Call.

I'd like to add quickly that after watching this and you get all the little suggestions pop up on the vid I recommend you watch Caledonia (the whole group) and Mountains of Mourne (Keith) 

Trailers

These are two trailers I like!!

Twilight:

Inkheart:

What made me laugh today?

New Wave list - A-ha

Okay moving down my list of New Wave bands we next have A-ha. I know my cousins know them by the video for the song Take On Me. That was basically all I knew them for too. I looked them up on youtube to find other songs by them. They actually have a lot of good songs here is one (I don't get the video at all so I'm just posting the music) 

You Are The One - A-ha0

Hope you like it. It sounds really cheesy but cute at the same time.

Youtube and Hobbits.

You're probably wondering how the heck these things are related.

Ah, youtube. The wonderful wonderful way to waste time on the computer! It's the most fun thing to do when your bored. I don't know when I saw my first youtube video but I DO remember what video it was. Would you like to see it? OF COURSE YOU WOULD!

Still probably one of the most randomly hilarious things I've ever seen.

Going down the list! - U2

I'm keeping on with the blog.  So I'm going  to go down my list of New Wave bands!! 

so here is my first one on the list. U2!!!!!!! I absolutely ADORE U2. My friends had a vote on who was the most obsessed with one thing or another and my U2 obsession came in  SECOND PLACE! yay!

U2 started in 1976 and is still going on today!! Though they started in the 70's, they hit their biggest hits in the 80's. I cannot wait, though, until their newest album comes out in March! Just in time for my birthday! 

here is the band in the 80's:

and two really awesome songs by them live in 1983. Enjoy.

here is the band as of this year:

And one of my favorite new-ish songs by them, from their album in 2004. Enjoy.

Rating Reminders!

This is for my cousins again, and their parents. 

I'm 14. Therefor I can see anything PG13 and I have. Of course, then, I would be interested in some of these things and want to post about them on the blog. Before I do however, I will always post a word of warning to my cousins. This will go near the top of the post. It will be large and bold so you cannot miss it. 

However, if you see NO warning at the top of the post that means the move/show is PG or lower. Even if it may not look like it. I'm telling you this to eliminate the comments of; "is this PG13?' or even "Maggie should you be watching this!?" when the video isn't even PG13.

Thought I'd let you know, please enjoy my blog.

-Maggie

I need convincing...

...for why on earth should I continue this blog. 

It appears most everything I like has failed in the eyes of my cousins, and they are really my only traffic. I thought you all enjoyed this... so if you do please try to convince me to continue. I really want to. But if I get nothing but hate posts from you guys (I'm looking at Nina and Molly here) I don't see why I should put myself through this. 

-Maggie

Back to the Music!

time for my all time favorite music genre (it fades in and out with others but I still think I like it the best) 

NEW WAVE!!!!!

Yes, I'm talking about bouncy, fun, addictive 80's music!!!!

You may thank my parents, 80's radio stations brought this all on me at a young age, and now I don't think it'll ever leave me, no mater how long ago it becomes.  The music is fun, catchy, with amazing beats and lyrics, most of it is british, though some american bands were in on it too. Still, I think the british part also draws me in. I like british accents. 

Some of my top 80's bands (as with my one post a while back on anine, the names are links to pictures)

U2 (obviously, although I don't quite consider them "new wave")

Thompson Twins

The Cure

A-Ha

The Human League

Culture Club

Depeche Mode

Eurythmics

The B-52's

Duran Duran (which I personally believe is the 80's version of the Jonas brothers. If you wanna know why... comment.)

Simple Minds

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (O.M.D.)

Adam & the Ants (Also not quite "New Wave"a little more to the punk side but I think it sorta paved the way for more new wave-y stuff)

Big Country (R.IP. to their lead singer, suicide stories are depressing.)

probably lots more... but this is all that come to the top of my head/ is on my 80's playlist.

Expect individual posts on some of these bands in the near future. 

Movie/Music - Moulin Rouge!

oh my word. This is one of the most fantastic movies I've ever seen. I saw it a couple months ago at a friends party and absolutely adored it. I'll say a word of warning though; it is PG13 so um... my dearest cousins it is not for you. You may watch the video's I've posted of it, and I'll give you the synopsis leaving some stuff out... but no watching the movie. I wish you could though, it's a beautiful film.

Synopsis; it's the story of a young British poet/writer, Christian, who falls in love with the star of the Moulin Rouge, a cabaret actress, Satine. Satine mistakes him for a rich Duke who was going to invest in a play the Moulin Rouge was going to put on (Christian is the writer for the play) and falls in love with him, even after discovering he's not who she thought he was. They both try to hide their romance from the real duke (who is in love with Satine too, and gets jealous of anyone close to her), so that he will still invest in the play. 

Beautiful film, I don't consider it a musical although there are songs in it, and some absolutely beautiful songs too. Here is one of my favorites; Come What May (remember; the video's I'm posting have been checked so that my younger cousins can watch. Please do.)

Come What May - Nicole Kidman & Ewan McGregor

Happy Late New Year

Happy New Year all! I hope you had a great 2008 and a have fantabulicious* 2009.

 

(* Fantastic + Fabulous + Delicious = Fantabulicious)