Exercise Music

I'm a music fiend. I love listening to all kinds of music, and my ipod is an assortment of rock, classical, to country and hip hop. I have all different kinds of music for the different kinds of moods I get into. Some days, I'm feeling a little TSwift. Other days, I need to rock out to some Alanis Morrisette. You know those days. But when I'm exercising, I gotta have my upbeat music. Techno, rock, livening music. I even have my playlist on my ipod that's specifically for when I run. The beat is fast, and it gets my adrenelin going and my blood pumping. It sets my pace for my workout. If i'm listening to classical music or sad dreary music while running, I'll probably give up. It won't keep me going! I need a solid beat, a good pace, and upbeat music to get me through the workout.

Sweet melodies

I used to have this jewelery box when I was 10 or 11 years old. When you opened it, a ballerina with a fluffy little pink tutu would twirl around slowly to this soft gentle music. I loved that little melody that the box played. I would always crank as long as I could, so the melody would play longer, and at night I'd often leave the box open and watch the ballerina dance and just fall asleep to the tune. It was such a gentle soothing tune, so sweet and relaxing. It calmed me down at night, and I'd fall asleep with ease. I vividly remember that from my childhood. I can hear the song in my head like I just played it yesterday when in fact, I havent had that jewelery box in years. It's amazing how something like that can stick with you even after so much time passes.

Now, I have other melodies that I find calming and relaxing. For example, I love the sound of the rain as it beats down on the roads, the sidewalks and the roof. It relaxes me! Maybe it's the steady rhythm that attracts me, or how it can be a peaceful sound: like everything around you quiets down and all you hear is the rain. I love it. The sound of the ocean is probably one of my favorites. Ask anyone and they'll probably tell you that it soothes them. It's such a gentle sound, with the waves crashing and the water rushing back and forth. It's so calming and I can see why people use noise machines with waves in the background to help them fall asleep. Personally, my favorite place to be is at the beach, laying on the sand soaking up some sun and listening to the gentle roar of the ocean in the distance... aaaahh.

It's a love story, baby just say yes.

I have an unhealthy obsession with Taylor Swift.
Okay, maybe obsession is too strong of a word, but I really admire her. I have very few bands or artists that I have all their cd's, know all their songs, and would actually spend money to see them, and Tswift is one of them. Probably the only one.
She's 19 years old. When she was 12, she got her first job at a record company in Nashville selling them one of her songs that she wrote. WHEN SHE WAS 12. That amazes me. She writes all her own songs, and each song is so relatable to her audience, which is typically to girls but you get the brave guy every now and then that admits their love for her.
I know every song of hers. Every word of every song, I could sing it to you. I feel like that makes me a creeper, but I just love her music. I could listen to it all the time, and honestly, I do.

So her music is amazing, and honestly, Taylor Swift is just a classy girl. Have you noticed that she's not a slutty trampy teen pop star that so many female artists are these days? She's so down to earth, maybe because this whole thing of stardom is new to her (she JUST started her tour this year) but maybe it's because she's honestly humbled by all of this. Or maybe I'm just giving her way too much credit.
She always looks nice, dresses pretty (not slutty) and has this bubbly personality about her. She's really come a long way- and has won the Entertainer of the Year Award at the CMA's this year. And she deserves it! She has gone from the opening act, to her SOLD OUT fearless tour (legit, I cannot get a ticket to her concerts, they sell out in minutes) to band hero feature, to hosting SNL, you name it! She's been on countless talk shows, dealt with break ups, friends and family issues with class and poise in front of the media, and yet, through all the stardom, it hasn't gotten to her head. When I went to see her this August at Madison Square Garden on her tour, she stood on the stage wide eyed and cried in front of the sold out arena while the fans just clapped and screamed for 5 straight minutes in the middle of her set. She just amazes me.
Not to mention she's beautiful. I want to be her.
I'm aware that in this post I sound like a stalker, but I don't care. At least I'm not camped outside of her house or anything.... yet.

Organizations

MADD: Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Fact: "On average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes."
"The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking."
The second quote is opinion I think because it is the mission statement of the organization. There is no fact presented, just the belief and view of the group itself. Therefore it is an opinion

PETA: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
FACT: "The four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry."
Fact: PETA with more than 2 million members and supporters, is the largest animal rights organization in the world.

FOCUS.

My attention span is not the greatest. Honestly, my mind goes a mile a minute, and if I see or hear something that doesn't keep my focused, I move on in .2 seconds. But in order to sustain my attention, say at a boring lecture or a class, I disect everything about the speaker. Clothes, hair, appearance, body language, speech ability, you name it. It keeps my mind on what's going on rather than just zoning out into my own little world day dreaming. I try to keep focused on what's in front of me, and in doing that, it usually means I hear some of what is being said at well. Usually I'll still be bored, but at least it doesn't look like I am. You'd see me focusing intently on the speaker or whatever is going on, so it's a win for Mary!