Dear Eames Era,

You happen to be the one band that I have never been able to get anyone else interested in.  The only one! I can be decently influential when it comes to spreading music, but no one else seems to appreciate you the way that I do.  I once joined a Facebook group to acknowledge your awesomeness, and there were only 11 members.  One of them was in Peru.  (At least you've got some global fans.)

Regardless of the fact that no one else likes you, you're all I listened to you.  The Eames Era all day long.  Every walk, every study break was accompanied by your two excellent albums: Double Dutch and Heroes and Sheroes.  You maintained by vague sense of panic, but also made me feel peppy and light.  Well done. 

I'm passing you on. 

Oh, and now YouTube comments tell me that you're not even together anymore.  What kind of day has it been


love,
hannah

Dear Iron and Wine,

You really fucked with me today.  I went to sleep listening to "Each Coming Night" last night, and it was beautiful.  Then I tried to re-create that experience this morning and it was horrible and messed me up for the whole day.  Over break I read in some magazine (20 Things to Try in 2012) that starting the morning with some upbeat music can have a powerful effect.  To which I was like, duh, I do that everyday.  But apparently I should be more careful about what I choose.  I've felt sluggish and disconnected all day and it's all because of that damn Iron and Wine! So sleepy, so calming.  So not what you need to start the day. 

This weekend, I made this playlist of calming music to listen to during breakfast, and I listened to it for much of Sunday.  Which didn't help.  It's a beautiful list and perfect for bedtime, but not to start the day. 

The only song that I came across today that helped me to properly approach the day was this one:

And then, tonight we went the proper, more energetic, soul and Motown influenced route for homework.  

But now I'm actually going to bed, the appropriate time to listen to Iron and Wine.  Hopefully it will send me right off to sleep because Tuesdays are my crazy days.  I start tomorrow at 7 (AM) and end at 8:30 (PM).  When these busy days cease I will not know what to do with my time.

love,

hannah

Dear Etta James,

You are one of my great loves. 

I am truly at a loss for what to say.  At Last is one of my favorite albums of all time.  I agree that Beyonce's version of "At Last" is far inferior to yours.  (Also, why have her sing it at Obama's inauguration when you were still around?)

Today I'm just going to listen to Etta.


love,
hannah 

Dear Stratford on Guy,

I always think of this song as I'm coming into O'Hare.  It's really only the first couple of lines, but they always come to mind as the plane comes in over the city.  One time I was able to listen to it as the plane landed, and that was a beautiful, and kind of surreal moment.  Another reason I think I liked this song when I first heard it was because I was really interested in Shakespeare and I enjoyed the play on his hometown, even if I didn't really understand it.

I have returned from Costa Rica, or as I have dubbed it Cute-sta Rica for its ability to transform me into a fourth grade girl.  Sadly, I did not return with any super cute animals in tow.  But, there's always the chance that when we go to pick up the dog at Petsmart I could pick something up stateside. 


love,
hannah

Dear Domino,

Damn, you're a catchy song. 

Do you know this song? I like this song.  I was just at a (very fun!) party, but whoever was DJing wasn't doing the best job.  I didn't even want to dance.  I'm not saying that this song would have saved it, but apparently it's my follow-up party song.  And that means it's time for bed. 


love,
hannah

Dear leggings,

I have spent so much of the last three days slothing around in you. You! Who I swear is evil.  But you are not quite so evil when it is just the two of us sitting in my room all day long.  You and I writing away American Studies.  We're gonna write so much Am Studs there won't be nothin' left. 

Today we watched Pride and Prejudice clips and almost completely finished one class.  We're so close babe.  (Yes, I refer to my leggings as "babe." We're a little delirious, alright?)

So many things: Commencing, Ophelias, BLIZZARD, and then add in finals and it has been a busy weekend.  Where to now my friends?

ON TO WINTER BREAK

Forgive my musical absence
Jonsi: Go Do
Phantom Planet: Winter Wonderland
Koop: Come To Me
Joshua Radin: Vegetable
The Feeling: Love It When You Call
Many artists!: Auld Lang Syne
Earth Wind and Fire: Sing a Song
Lady Gaga: Christmas Tree*
Florence And The Machine: Last Christmas
Kevin Devine: People Are So Fickle

*This one is nuts, guys.  Prepare yourselves. 

We have now approached major countdown mode: 2 days and 20 hours till home and 38 days until reunion with the C's!


love,
hannah

Dear Castle,

The Bones fan world is sad these days.  They are just not happy and they don't provide enough internet chatter to keep me entertained.  Therefore I must turn to the lesser Bones, also known as Castle.  At least there's enough unresolved sexual tension there to keep me happy.

And today shall go down in history as the day that horny little Macalester discovered the internet.  Or at least, likealittle.  Thanks forever, Mansalsa.  I don't know if there's another school in the country that cares as much about that website as we do right now. 

today today today:
Elizabeth & The Catapult: Momma's Boy
The Puppini Sisters: Last Christmas


love,
hannah

Dear farts,

Yesterday I bought this fart book.

 

Not for myself, but as a gift for someone else.  They are going to like it very much.  It has different fart noises for every page.  They are really going to like it.  

Just like you're going to like today's music:

Coldplay: Christmas Lights

Jamie Lidell: Multiply

Elizabeth and the Catapult: Christmas with the Jews

Asa: Why Can't We

I like the busy days where I feel busy and content.  They are especially good when I spend large amounts of time on the theater couches.  Today was one of those days.  

love,

hannah

Dear auditions,

I understand that you are a necessary part of the theatrical process, but you drive me nuts.  I mean all kinds of crazy.  (Which is at least partially responsible for my silence over the last two days.)  Also, it's basically finals, and I'm not prepared.  Or rather, I know exactly what I need to do, but none of it is scary enough for me to really get down to it now. 

However, that does mean that I have skimped on music for the last few days. 
Nickel Creek: Anthony
John Legend and the Roots: I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
Sufjan Stevens: The Winter Solstice
Heino: Ave Maria (Bonus: album artwork included.  Take a look.)
Catherine Feeney: The Christmas Song

Also, here are the best pictures so far of what our ceiling of perpetual snowfall looks like.  (Even they do not do it justice.)  Last night we tried to make a video for the folks (read person) in Amsterdam, but it was not to our liking.  These photos will have to suffice.  

I will do better in upcoming days with photos and music.  Everyone needs an extra something to get through this time of year. 


love,
hannah

Dear Loch Lommond,

Why don't they play you? Why don't they sing you? Why not all the time? You are a beautiful song and were missing from tonight's concert. 

So much snow!

Other music for you:
Macalester Concert Choir: Loch Lommond
Bing Crosby: Let It Snow!

Dear candlelight service,

Again, you chose a horrible hymn.  Is that a tradition as well? It's not a very good one.

48 days till reunion.

I'm really into covers at the moment, especially this one.
Today: the second of December:
John Legend and the Roots: Wake Up (Arcade Fire Cover)
Ben Kweller: Rock of Ages

I know that now it is technically the third of December.


love,
hannah

Dear bone folder,

For those that don't know what a bone folder is, this is what they look like:

This is what a bone folder looks like.  They are used in bookbinding.  When you need a really good crease or fold, it's helpful to have one of these.  Otherwise, your nails and finger start to hurt after a while.  Thus, winter can be hard on my nails, especially after as many snowflakes as I make.  

Today I sat up while cutting a snowflake a yelled out, "Bone folder!" I remembered that I had stolen one from work at the end of the summer.  (It wasn't really stolen, I asked if I could take it.) I enjoyed the bone folding class at camp, and since there probably wasn't going to be another, I thought it wouldn't hurt anyone if I took a bone folder.  And it is extremely helpful! Yesterday I started making snowflakes that had been folded four times, and they are hard to fold and cut.  Great success! I have a bone folder!

The songs for today:

KT Tunstall: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Barenaked Ladies: Hanukkah Blessings

Michael Bublé: Let It Snow

Dane with KT Tunstall, dedicated to all of you crazy cats on other continents.  It snowed today! Happy first night of Hanukkah! And if you're my gentile cousin in Missouri, I hope you enjoy getting the Skype date version of Hanukkah with my family.  

love,

hannah

Dear December,

Only three hours and forty minutes until you get here.  I can't wait! I've come to love December.  For a long time I tried to fight the onslaught of Christmas decorations and ribbons and lights and everything else that you entail.  However, I found that it was easier to embrace you wholeheartedly and go a little nuts.  I celebrate Christmas in perhaps the most secular way possible, which is to say I only celebrate with gifts and decorations. 

I do a lot of decorating.  Especially since coming to college.  It has increased exponentially.  But I refuse anything that is directly Christmas-y, so it's mostly snowflakes and winter things.  It's a frustrated sort of Christmas decorating for the Jewish girl raised in an interfaith house.  (At home we have a lot of blue and white winter and Hanukkah decorations, but at school all I have is articles that I printed and never read.  There is always enough paper.)

This year we have already covered the windows of our common room with snowflakes.  It took no time at all.  Now we have moved on to the ceiling, which is something I have always wanted to do. 

We are going to live in perpetual snowfall.  It's beautiful. 

Another great thing about December is music because as soon as Thanksgiving is over you can play Christmas music and not be embarrassed about it.  (I'm not into Christmas decorations, but really into Christmas music.) That said, I'm going to be sharing more music through the month of December.  It's going to be an odd mix of music. 

Today:
Adele: Rolling In The Deep
Shakira: She Wolf
Ingrid Michaelson: Snowfall
Frank Sinatra: Jingle Bells

Now it's three hours and twenty-seven minutes till December.  See you all there. 


love,
hannah

Dear Good Old War,

You were AMAZING last night.  I can't remember the last time I was that excited to hear someone play live.  And you were not even the group I went to go see.  An amazing experience of live music. 

Thanks.  Check them out everybody. 


love,
hannah

Dear At Last,

It may not be entirely coincidental that I'm playing you right now.  I came home from the last hours of Cabaret exhausted (and angry, but that's often how I left Cabaret) and now, in my relief I play Etta.  (Etta James, At Last= my whole life.)

AT LAST.

Cabaret is over.  That hectic phase of my life is done.  I can return to my normal procrastination and craft making.  Friends! I can have real friends again! We have entered that part of the semester where there is just so so much going on, but I'm going to cram everything in.  EVERYTHING. 

I'm celebrating my release.  Returning to my studies with a hopefully renewed vigor.  Commencing can commence! I can again talk with friends who are abroad! And my roommate! And eat meals at a leisurely pace! And wear my rings! (Oh how I await the moment I put my rings on again.) I'm making plans folks.

Thirty one days until I'm home for winter break...


love,
hannah

Dear November,

It's not that I don't like you per say, it's just that you fall between October (Birthday! Halloween! Leaves!) and December (Hanukah! Christmas! Snow!) Do you see the pattern? Two holidays and some weather.

So I made a mix this morning.  I could not even tell you the last time I made a mix.  I think of November as a bridge between October and December, sweet, chilly, and sometimes haunting, but with suprises sprinkled in.  An entire month of Sundays.  So I made a mix this morning.  Not all of this music is new to me, but it will probably make my November.

There's a little early Christmas present for you.  Just click through.  It's a zip file, cause that's easy.  Enjoy!

To make it through november
1. Hello Dolly: Louis Armstrong
2. True: Susan Tedeschi
3. 22: Lily Allen
4. Fuck You: Cee-Lo Green
5. Cry Baby: Dukes of Danville
6. Me and You: She & Him
7. Lovers' Carvings: Bibio
8. Cold December: Matt Costa
9. I Got Plenty o' Nuttin: Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
10. Petite Soeur: Ben l'Oncle Soul
11. If This Ain't Love: Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators
12. Cold War (Nice Clean Fight): The Morning Benders
13. A Sunday Kind of Love: Etta James
14. Boogie Shoes: KC and the Sunshine Band
15. I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You: Kate Nash
16. Sister Winter: Sufjan Stevens
17. Hold You In My Arms: Ray LaMontagne
18. Cosmic Love: Florence and the Machine
19. Cold Shoulder: Adele
20. The Perpetual Self...: Sufjan Stevens
21. All I Want For Christmas Is You: Mariah Carey


love,
hannah

Dear dude,

Really? Living on a Prayer? At this time of night?

Okay.


love,
hannah

Dear neighbors,

I apologize that I am playing the same three songs over and over.  They're not even really that good.  Except that they are that good.  They are that good.  In their own special way.

First there's Boogie Shoes which I associate with television.  Obviously for So You Think You Can Dance, but I'm also pretty sure that there's a Sports Night episode that this song is in.  I've been craving some Sorkin recently.

Then, there's September.  Somehow, I always remember that this song exists when September is almost over and it feels too late.  Caitlyn knows this all too well.  I wish that it was about October, cause then it would fit perfectly into my life.  It's one of my favorite songs ever, and it would be that much better if it was about my birthday.  (23 days until my birthday by the way.)

Finally, there's Cooler Than Me, which doesn't quite hearken back to disco the way the first two do.  This song reminds me of this summer.  Mostly Ben and Casey singing along as drove away from the show every week.  And, believe me, we all knew when the "shhh" came.

There are all so danceable! Can you tell I'd rather be dancing than working?


um, yes. 


love,
hannah

Dear Maria Callas,

I've been listening to you all day in an attempt to get real work done.  It has been my hope that your dramatic voice and lack of lyrics in English will help me to focus on the thousands of words I have to read before Monday.  And the hundreds of words I have to write, more than I anticipated this weekend.  I have much more time than I did last weekend, but much more work.  For the most part Maria, you're a nice Saturday afternoon homework companion.  You make it seem less like I am sitting in my room wishing that the college would turn the heat on already.  Maria, I do hope that you are not too loud for our neighbors, because you might be called into action more often now. 

Some of the things I'm working on are even interesting, but I'm much more interested in the wine and cheeses, and Jesus camp planned for this evening.  So much better, right?

Yes, I know Maria, wine and cheeses and Jesus camp has nothing to do with school desegregation, but a girl's gotta have something to work for, right?

Exactly Maria, exactly. 


love,
hannah