Archive for April, 2009
All start with a B
My favorite bands all start with ‘B’: Ben Folds, BNL and Baylor ShowTime!
Being in a collegiate ensemble was a defining experience of my life. I was able to make music with people my own age, some of whom are still my greatest friends. We sang great American classics (and danced to them too). We sang across the pond (even in an Austrian prison). I snagged the drummer. I learned how to work on a team.
I learned how humbling it can be to sing one note of a chord in an a capella arrangement and understand with piercing clarity why God gave the earth ears and tones. God’s creation should be unfathomable, but there are moments in making music where you are sure you understand.
I remember the first time I heard Ben Folds. I was in Travis’ car. I followed his music ever since. It’s hard to be a Ben Folds fan. He’s not “pop,” so you don’t get to hear him on the radio, and all his other fans are smarter than you.
I was not impressed with Ben’s Last CD or EP. Ben’s albums before Way to Normal and Sunny D changed my view of music, so I was disappointed that those albums left me underwhelmed. Just when I thought I had lost my connection to Ben, he released University A Capella.
Ben’s favorites, sung by university a capella groups. Young, smooth, tuned voices. Dynamic, musical. I don’t know why I am writing a blog post, because words can not describe where these sounds take you.
Personally, my music worlds collided, and it is dripping with awesome. Thank you, Ben.
What do you all think of the album?
Martin, you may be beautiful …
Posted by hilstreet in My animals on April 29, 2009
But you are not skinny. You can’t fit in our bowl. Really, why are you in our bowl.
Things I learned in Louisville
I met my soul mate. It’s the Everything Muffin at Wild Eggs in Louisville. Where have you been all my life, Everything Muffin? Between this and the “Breakfast Sandwich” in east Nashville, I made out pretty well for breakfast.
I learned how to bet on horse races! Churchill Eleven. Trifecta. Box. 1,8,10. (That combination would have won you no money on Saturday, but I sounded like a pro!)
If you show your eight-month-pregnant belly to the Churchill Downs parking attendant, you will get to park close (with the rich people).
I learned what it was like on the other side. Will let us into the press room. It was pretty cool to be in a press room and … not working. Beer and cake? Yes, please!
Ellie and Will’s four cats are all awesome. They are more curious than skittish, and always come out to meet visitors. They also think the baby’s room is for them, so all the furniture is draped in white sheets.
Will’s job is interesting. If I told you anything else, he’d have to kill me. And, well … you.
Having lunch with white wine, on a farm surrounded by cats, dogs, a donkey, a miniature horse, and big horses, on the banks of the Ohio River is the way to experience Kentucky.
The Ohio River itself is supposed to be polluted. Ryan said he saw a banana with horns.
Ellie is pregnant!
I can’t wait to meet this baby.
It is possible to have so much fun visiting Kevin & Sarah and Ellie & Will that you miss them immediately and cry going through airport security on your way home.
Things I learned in Nashville
Kevin and Sarah live in east Nashville next to the Sweet 16th Bakery. Fantastic bakery with quality coffee, moist coffee cakes, and “The Breakfast Sandwich,” an egg casserole between two sweet cheddar scones. Amazing! Two thumbs up from Hil Street reviews.
Kevin and Sarah’s 1930s home and historic neighborhood are beautiful. Sarah can take her wheely cart and walk to her local post office everyday to drop off the day’s Two Blue Peas orders (order more than $100, and you are makin’ her walk for free! Free shipping with a purchase of $100 or more!)
Kevin and Sarah share their property with a three-foot-long black and yellow snake that we named “Venom.”
R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet” does, in fact, feature a midget.
Nashville is filled with music history!
We had dinner at the Family Wash in east Nashville. Originally a laundromat, the Shepherd’s Pie and the Mac and Cheese make for good, clean, delicious fun.
There are few things in life better than spending time with old friends. Being on a boat may be one of them, but I am not yet convinced. We had such a relaxed, wonderful time. Thanks, Kevin and Sarah!
An Appalachian Adventure Spanning Two States!
Hil Street is on vacation (said in Ginny’s grandmother’s accent)!
I know, I know. I just went to Mexico. But Ellie is about to pop so I got to get me up to Leh-houa-houa (I can’t pronounce Louisville very well).
We’re visiting friends Kevin & Sarah (Austin friends living in Nashville) and Ellie & Will (home friends living in Louisville) and staying in their beautiful historical homes! We’ll all hang out tonight. I think they will all get along because a) we all have beautiful, fluffy cats and b) our husbands play golf and are boisterous and loud.
Catch you on the flip side. With some pics.
Did Miss California’s answer cost her the crown?
Posted by hilstreet in corporate America, marketing, news on April 23, 2009
I bring you this post not as an inclusive Methodist, but as a PR professional. If I were bringing you this post as an inclusive Methodist, it would be a lot long longer, and probably funnier.
During last week’s Miss USA pageant, Miss California answered a question about gay marriage from Miss USA judge Perez Hilton. From FOX News: When asked by judge Perez Hilton, an openly gay gossip blogger, whether she believed in gay marriage, Miss California, Carrie Prejean, said “We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised.”
Miss California and Miss North Carolina were close in score, but after this question, Miss North Carolina won the crown. Now, the media is asking … “Did Miss California’s beliefs cost her the crown?”
Miss California’s beliefs did not cost her the crown, poor preparation did.
PR Tips for the next Miss USA contestants:
Know your audience: How far in advance do contestants know who the Miss USA judges are? As soon as you do, stop practicing your swimsuit walk and research them. What do they like? What is their background? As a gay celebrity-gossip blogger who was once sued for libel, you can bet that Perez Hilton will have strong opinions. And you should have been prepared for that. Before PR professionals meet with reporters, they learn everything about them. That’s right, Will. Everything.
Know possible tough questions: Understand current events and prepare statements about them. Your statements should appeal to as many people as possible. As Miss USA, you are going to have to appeal to as many people as possible. When the quintessential pageant question is asked of a contestant, “If you could have one wish, what would it be?” and the quintessential pageant answer is “world peace,” do you REALLY THINK that’s what that contestant wants? No. That contestant wants to win Miss USA, marry someone rich and good looking, stay skinny forever, and drive off in a really cute MINI cooper. She would never answer that though, because she knows she is being judged for her answer.
I’m not saying Miss California should hide her beliefs. I am always an advocate for sharing your beliefs. With a little preparation, she could have answered the gay marriage question in a softer way without compromising her beliefs. She could have cited “States’ rights” or expressed “the rights for people to decide.” She could have talked about how great America is because we have the privilege to vote for amendments. It’s called spin, and sorry, honey, but you have to know it to survive in this world.
PR girl – OUT!
Trend Day
In the early days, Earth Day was reserved for hippies, commune dwellers, deforestation protesters, patchouli-smelling Phish fans, and my mother. Now, Earth Day is as trendy as a Louis Vuitton handbag. Everyone is going green and you better get on that hybrid bandwagon if you want to be considered “cool.”
Let’s take a step back from all the hype and truly be thankful for Mother Earth. Not because it’s what everyone is doing, but because we should be thankful. We pollute her, pave her, trash her, and deplete her and she still gives us a place to live. Today, let’s thank Mother Earth for providing us with a home for all of God’s creatures. Spend some time outside thinking of the wonder that is nature. Feel the earth under your feet, supporting you, and holding you up. Maybe these meditations will inspire change in our lives. I know I can reduce my carbon footprint.
Thank you, Mother Earth!
10 Reasons Texas Should Not Secede from the Union
Posted by hilstreet in austin, texas, ponder on April 20, 2009
Texas Governor Rick Perry recently shared he was displeased with the liberal mumbo jumbo happening in the Obama Administration. He reminded us of Texas’ unique position in the United States, having once been its own country. The quotes:
“Texas is a unique place. When we came into the union in 1845, one of the issues was that we would be able to leave if we decided to do that. My hope is that America and Washington in particular pays attention.”
“We’ve got a great union. There’s absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, who knows what may come of that.”
The 10 reasons Hil Street doesn’t want Texas to become its own country:
1. I don’t want to have to get a visa to visit my mom. You have to go to Houston to get a visa and it takes a whole day.
2. If everything is bigger in Texas … what would get Texas-sized if we were left on our own? My hair? Taxes? My waistline?
3. I am not a native Texan. Do I have to get a green card?
4. Anita doesn’t dress as well as Michelle.
5. I have read Gone With the Wind. Secession gets bad, people. I have wood blinds and can not fashion a dress out of them.
6. Austin would have very little in common with the New Country of Texas. At least we have a sister city in the United States.
7. I know LOL Cats are legal in the United States. I need to stay in a country where that law is clearly stated.
8. I have never successfully made cookies or a cake in the shape of Texas.
9. I live with a 5th generation Texan. He often reminds me that Texas was once its own country, and I don’t want to hear that Texas is its own country … again.
10. It would get boring watching the Mavs play the Spurs and then play the Rockets over and over again. It would get really boring only watching the Rangers play the Astros.
April 19, 1995
The Alfred P. Murrah Federal building was bombed in Oklahoma City, April 19, 1995.
The Memorial in its place today:
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@HilM- HilM: Our baby sleeping on a prayer shawl from Bethany UMC, Austin at #swtxac in Corpus. http://twitpic.com/5acwsn June 12, 2011
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