"Play it Again, Zac ...er... Sam."

I love my Girl... and because I love her... and because I love Zac Brown Band... I'm gonna risk coming dangerously close to hitting this blog's Z.B.B.S.P. (Zac Brown Band Saturation Point).

To explain...here's this week's,

"squirrel_e_girl & The Girl's Country Tune of the Week"

Last week, I wrote about our house coming alive with the sound of music ... to be surrounded by such big beautiful sound has brought us buckets and buckets of joy...

Yep.

Joy.

Pure unadulterated joy.

I've been living a non-stop dance party kinda life.

The dogs are concerned.

Although Wee Willow is quite partial to "Moves Like Jagger" and will join me out on the dancefloor that used to be our living room when that song comes on.

I'm falling in love with music all over again. I simply adore hearing all the intricate musical details of each song and have a renewed appreciation of the role the bass guitar plays in so many songs.

Very cool.

Anyhow, this afternoon, after my iTunes shuffle graciously landed on "Quiet Your Mind", The Girl shouted from the kitchen, "Mum!! Let's do Quiet Your Mind this week!!"

To which I replied, "Yeah but I already did that one."

To which she replied, "hmph"

Later on, she went out for the night and, because we still hadn't decided, I sent her a text asking her what song she wanted to do.

To which she replied, "Just do a repeat!"

Well awright...

Her demand is my command.

This week's song is a repeat... so if you actually listened to it the last time I posted it, you are in for a treat ...AGAIN.

And if you didn't listen to it the last time I posted it ...*sniff* ...I am giving you an opportunity to revel in the f*$king wickedness that is Zac Brown Band ....and to make up for crushing my feelings by not listening to it the first time.

This is such a big song and I love the way it builds to a big beautiful crescendo and I love love LOVE songs in 3/4 time.


As I have mentioned, Zac Brown Band isn't really country...they're a little bit o'everything.

Cross Genre-ers, if you will.

Something for everyone, really.

Even The Boy has been spotted singing along to ZBB...

...and that's saying somethin'.

Strictly speaking, this song isn't really country but it is awfully kickass.


So put your headphones on, crank it up, close your eyes and QUIET YOUR MIND, man!!!

You're welcome.

iHeart Apples ... and Gord Bamford

Good Morning, Beloved Readers!!

It is a gorgeous late summer/early fall Sunday morning. Sunny, cool and crisp ...it feels exactly like a delicious apple tastes.

~a delicious apple as in 'a tasty apple' not as in 'a Delicious Apple' ...I'm not a huge fan of Delicious Apples...don't care much for the texture. But delicious apples I'm all over!! yum yum!! I highly recommend delicious apples of the Honey Crisp variety. My sis-in-law introduced me to them last fall and my life has never been the same. Dee-lish~

Speaking of Apples .... I didn't get around to posting our "squirrel_e_girl & The Girl's Country Tune of the Week" as I promised last night. My Guy and I thought it would be fun to create the little "outtake" video of my foolishness that I added to last night's post and it took a whole bunch of time figuring out how to stick 'em all together as one... and through a whole bunch of trial and error, we managed to get them off my iPhone and onto our iMac and then learn how to use iMovie and I nearly lost my iPatience and then my iMind but my iGuy is an iWiz-aard and it iWORKED!!! <--- you can see our iWizardry in last night's post.

Although, I've decided I might have to leave the vlogging stuff to the pros (I'm talkin' bout YOU, Hannah Hart and Jenna Marbles) and just keep to writing ... When writing, it does not matter if I have fuzzy hair, a red nose or black eyes and if I occasionally blink like a fuzzy-haired, red-nosed, black-eyed owl...Hoo cares??

Alright...

Down to business...

"squirrel_e_girl & The Girl's Country Tune of the Week"

I'm on my own ...again...with this week's pick. I think I might have to fire my collaborator ...she's slacking. A couple of broken toes and crippling pain only buys you one "Get Out of Collaboration Free" card.

Anyway, since Limpy isn't around to help me pick, I'm going to choose a song that she probably has not even a little bit of interest in...

Just. Because. I. Can.

or

Just. Because. iCan.

My choice is: "Leaning on a Lonesome Song" by: fellow Canadian, Gord Bamford

I love this song. From the very first time I heard it, it struck a chord deep inside my heart. It's probably as close to the kind of country music that I grew up listening to as there is out there and it just grabs me...especially the chorus.  When I was looking for the video, I found a live version he played on a radio station out west. In the interview, he explained that he wrote if soon after his brother-in-law committed suicide...it was his way of coping with his grief.

Anyhow, here it is:

(edit-- I just watched this again...after writing this post ...and noticed all the Apple product placement in this video...Apparently, either Gord, or his director, likes Apples too...it's like this video was iMADE specifically for my post :)  What a coinkidink...Thanks, Gord)

And, you feel like having a wee little sniffle...and you have a son...then watch this one, called "Little Guy":

And, if you feel like having a wee little sniffle...and you have a daughter...then watch this one, called "My Daughter's Father":

And, if you feel like watching a bunch of sweet young thangs frolicking on the beach in Tofino...then watch this one,  called "Blame it on that Red Dress":

And, I think this song is cute and funny... "Drinking Buddy":

I didn't, till just now, realize how many Gord Bamford songs I like. I feel a little iTune splurge comin' on...I'll be supporting some fine Canadian talent.

Yeehaw!!

"The Houuuussssse Is Alive...With the Sound of Muuuusic"

So, this has been a very big day here in squirrel_e_girl world.

I am extraordinarily proud to announce (admit) that I, for the very first time ever in my whole entire life ...burned a CD.

Yep.

I did.

(cue slow clap)

Please...

Everyone...

Please...

Please...

Everyone...

Everyone. Please.

Please take your seat.

Thank you.

You are far too kind.

Actually, the burning of said CD was the acme of a series of rather incredible events.

First...I figured out how to transfer my entire iTunes Library from my iPad to our new iMac.

Yep.

I did. (please...please remain seated)

And then...
I watched some YouTube "how-to" videos and learned me how-to create a little something called a Playlist.

And then...

I created a Playlist.

Yep.

I did.

And then...
I watched some YouTube "how-to" videos and learned me how-to burn a CD.

AND THEN...as previously proclaimed...

I burned a CD.

Oh yeah.

The CD that was burned was The Civil Wars album called Barton Hollow.

In an earlier post, I encouraged you all to rush out and purchase this amazing album in its entirety...If you haven't already done it, do it now. Don't worry, I'll wait...

The best thing is that the CD actually worked and actually played music :D

And I was extremely excited to listen to it on my car's most excellent stereo.

You see, for the past few months I have lived a mildly muted musical existence. Our half-decent stereo decided to stop playing CDs and we've made do with a little ghetto blaster with only so-so sound.

Also...

We don't have any sort of iProduct docking station.

Nor is my 2001 Volvo XC70 equipped with the technology that would make it possible for me to listen to the jukebox that is my iPad whilst driving. It is a most excellent stereo and sounds really awesome...it's just kinda old.

And the little Apple earbuds really hurt my ears with their hard plastic shells of ouchiness.

So, that means I've only been able to enjoy the spoils of my iTunes addiction by way of my iPad and its wee little speaker.

Yep.

It's kinda sucky.

It does not produce a sound that is likely to break wine glasses or whip up gale force winds that would wreak havoc on my home...and my hair.

But...

Today...

That all changed.

My Guy, in a ballsy "Robbing Peter to Pay Paul" manoeuvre, dismantled our home theatre system (we don't watch a ton of TV so it's no big shmoo) and reclaimed the receiver and swapped the DVD player with a new BluRay player and swiped the kickass killer million dollar speakers and moved everything up out of the Basement (aka Cave of the Teenaged) and into our more civilized, more main floored living room.

AND...

He bought me a little cable thingy that connects my iPad and its cherished iTunes Library to that receiver and its kickass killer speakers...

And...

VOI-fuckin-LA!!!

I am, as we speak, being bathed in the honey golden sound of Dallas F*%king Green's voice in majestic full surround sound.

sigh

Oh...and now I'm being followed by a MoonShadow.

sigh

Thanks, Yusuf.

And, now I being blessed with a little bit o' Zac Brown Band...

Which reminds me...

Yep.

Gotta love my lovely "Freeze-Frame Face".

UGH....but I guess there is no room for vanity in vlogging.

 Well, maybe a little bit...

ugh

Didya hear the high quality tunes in the background?? ... some CSNY. Not my very first choice for background music but it took me awhile to get over myself and to stop making faces and swearing at my phone and, as a result, my first choice was looooong past.

I am so wonderfully happy that we now have the means through which to listen to music LOUD and with beautiful sound!!

YAY!!!

I'm not sure how wonderfully happy the dogs are....

Or how deeply thrilled our tenant is ...

hmmmm...

We may soon have a vacant apartment...

Does anyone know anyone looking for a beautiful log home apartment to live in??

They must love Zac Brown Band and Dallas F&*king Green and Beck and The Civil Wars...and Style Council ... and Brad Paisley ...and Great Big Sea ...and Blue Rodeo ...and Luke Bryan ...and Pearl Jam ...and ...???

;)


******************

p.s. I realize that it is Saturday night and Saturday night is "squirrel_e_girl & The Girl's Country Tune of the Week" night...but I got carried away with this post and it's far too long already so I'll see you in a whole new post with our whole new Country Tune Pick.

*******************


...and Jack Johnson...and Sloan ....and Xavier Rudd ....and Foo Fighters ...and Willie Nelson...

***************
HeeHee...

Look what us Computer Wizards did...

My first "Outtake Reel"

HA!!!

My Drunk Concert

Alternate Title: Zac Brown Band Does it Up Right

Alternate Alternate Title: The Karen Show

Alternate Alternate Alternate Title: squirrel_e_girl's (minus The Girl) Country Tune of the Week

Ok...So last night My Guy and I went to what was, hands down, the best concert I've ever been to... ever.

EVER.

Really Really.

Zac Brown and his super talented bandmates sure put on a spectacular show.

The music was great. The harmonies were brilliant. The light show was very bright and flashy.

Incredible.

The crowd was HUGE!!!

I've never, in my whole life, seen so many cowboy hats in one place. It was quite something.

Line ups were immense...especially for the women's washroom...That's why I accompanied My Guy into the boys' washroom...a little trick I picked up in Nam. Dudes don't care. They all seem to get a huge kick out of it...and I get to pee without waiting 3 1/2 years in line.

I'm crazy like that.

I had so much fun ... and several RockStar[+Vodka]s... and at 8pm the night after...I'm still feeling the after-effects of all that fun ... and the several RockStar[+Vodka]s... and I can't bring myself to be all writer-like so I'm going to be lazy and rely on some of the stellar video footage I shot last night.

You are in for a real treat.

Yep.

The second song they played last night is one of my favourites (I've already featured it in a previous posts).

Here's "Whiskey's Gone"....well, most of it anyway...captured live via iPhone by Yours Truly. I kinda filmed it sideways...so maybe don't actually watch it...it might make you a little dizzy ...just give it a listen.

It was AWESOME!!!

Here are a few snippets of Post-Concert Commentary by a very inebriated me. You may notice I had  some issues with the cornea-sizzling brightness of the flash. I apologize for the swears...and the foolishness.

There are many many more "snippets" but I'll spare you most of them...

Yeah.

So.

I'll actually write something good soon.

Zac Brown Band is kickass.

Fact.

Rock Star.....out.

I'm On a BOAT!!

Nah...I'm not on a boat.

But you know who is??

The former Mr. Renee Zellweger, Kenny Chesney, that's who.

Kenny Chesney was married to Renee for about a minute and a half a bunch of years ago and then Renee asked for an annulment citing "fraud" as the reason.

"Fraud"... interesting. Kinda makes you wonder.

Anyhoo, that's neither here nor there...just a little celebrity factoid.

What is here, as well as there, is the fact that The Girl and I have chosen to shine our spotlight on Kenny in...

"squirrel_e_girl & The Girl's Country Tune of the Week"

We've picked Kenny Chesney's most recent single "Come Over".

It's a great song that caught my ear and really grew on me and now it's one of my current favourites. 

The Girl really likes it, too.

Which is probably why we chose it.

Now, that is some brilliant blog writing right there. Boy oh Boy!! I am on fire today.

The video echoes the song's sultry sexiness and it features Mr. Chesney driving around on a super crazy expensive boat steaming things up a bit with a pretty lady. 

So, here is Kenny Chesney...He's on a boat:<----See, I eventually do get around to tying my post titles in with the content of my posts.

Kenny is a guy who was kinda goofy looking when he was younger and I think he's aged quite nicely... and is rocking the full bald look. Good on ya, Kenny. Go big or go home is what I always say.

....BAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA

No, it's not.

*********

p.s. The title of this post is actually the title of a song by Lonely Island (I mentioned them in my last week's post)...It's a very funny, very sweary song and if you are in a funny, sweary kind o' mood, please feel free to watch this video, too. 

It's especially funny because it's a parody of rap videos where the rappers are flaunting their money and babes ...on boats.

...which is kinda what Kenny is doing in his video.

Here's Lonely Island ... "I'm On a Boat"

"But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?"

THIS!!!

... is what through yonder window breaks!!

THIS!!! 

...is what has greeted me through my bedroom window the last two mornings!!!

Stupid red and stupid orange stupid leaves.

Crap.

*sigh*

I wish that tree had the common decency to wait a week or five.

Now, I love fall and all its glorious splendour as much as the next guy but August???

August??

Really??