After all the years that have passed since I first heard it, this remains one of my favourite mashups:
It's "Wonderwall of Broken Dreams" - a mashup of Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" with Oasis' "Wonderwall". On the pop music station my brother and I listened to in Oregon, it was easily the most played mashup on the station, helped significantly by the Open House Party we listened to every weekend.
"Wonderwall of Broken Dreams" has appeared in Air Nice-to-Livelands before, in a post from over six years ago.
Showing posts with label Oregon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oregon. Show all posts
Friday, 17 November 2017
Friday, 8 September 2017
The leafblower
At my grandparents' house this afternoon, the work there included mowing the lawn, finishing cutting down the rotten plum tree and...using the leafblower.
When my family and I lived in Oregon, we owned a leafblower, although we mostly used it in reverse mode, which meant it sucked leaves up and mulched them. In blowing mode, however, while it wasn't a weak blower it wasn't an overpowered one, either.
Now, my grandfather's leafblower...that one is a beast of a machine. When I turned it on, I was not only surprised by how far it blew the leaves but also by how much of a recoil there was! Never before had I felt such a strong recoil on a leafblower. Once I overcame the surprise, however, I immediately hopped in to the joy of blowing the leaves into a large pile, which I then scooped up and took around the back to use as fertilizer.
So yes, this afternoon I had fun using a powerful leafblower. It wasn't as taxing as cutting down the plum tree but it was still intense in its own way.
When my family and I lived in Oregon, we owned a leafblower, although we mostly used it in reverse mode, which meant it sucked leaves up and mulched them. In blowing mode, however, while it wasn't a weak blower it wasn't an overpowered one, either.
Now, my grandfather's leafblower...that one is a beast of a machine. When I turned it on, I was not only surprised by how far it blew the leaves but also by how much of a recoil there was! Never before had I felt such a strong recoil on a leafblower. Once I overcame the surprise, however, I immediately hopped in to the joy of blowing the leaves into a large pile, which I then scooped up and took around the back to use as fertilizer.
So yes, this afternoon I had fun using a powerful leafblower. It wasn't as taxing as cutting down the plum tree but it was still intense in its own way.
Wednesday, 16 November 2016
"I Don't Feel like Dancin'" - Scissor Sisters
My fifth and final song in this unexpected "feel-good rush" is this one:
It's "I Don't Feel like Dancin'" and is by the Scissor Sisters; it's another on my list of "songs I thought I'd already written about but hadn't". "I Don't Feel like Dancin'" was released in 2006 and comes from Ta-Dah, the band's second studio album. My brother and I only started to hear the Scissor Sisters' music when we listened to Heart but we'd heard of the band prior to then, as Dad once asked us if we'd heard of the band and said they had a member called Ana Matronic, who he said is from Portland in Oregon (I think the Oregon link was why he asked).
It's "I Don't Feel like Dancin'" and is by the Scissor Sisters; it's another on my list of "songs I thought I'd already written about but hadn't". "I Don't Feel like Dancin'" was released in 2006 and comes from Ta-Dah, the band's second studio album. My brother and I only started to hear the Scissor Sisters' music when we listened to Heart but we'd heard of the band prior to then, as Dad once asked us if we'd heard of the band and said they had a member called Ana Matronic, who he said is from Portland in Oregon (I think the Oregon link was why he asked).
Thursday, 21 January 2016
Less than a year remaining
I find it hard to believe that yesterday marked a year until President Barack Obama leaves office. The man, who campaigned as an inspirational and transfigurative candidate, has experienced one of the most brutal presidencies in the whole of United States history.
Brutal. Not brutal in the sense of Obama being an authoritarian but brutal in all the criticism he has received and the sheer amount of opposition he has faced at every turn. Every action he has taken or proposed, no matter how insignificant, has received criticism that has ranged from healthy skepticism (which is completely reasonable and expected) to utter hatred and accusations of him being a "traitor", "un-American" and other loathsome terms.
Such language would never have been acceptable under any former president. I think it's important to remember that no matter how much anyone may disagree with Obama and his policies, everything he has done (and still wants to do) has been because he thought it was best for America. He never set out to "destroy America" or to engage in any similar nonsense - after all this time, after all he's been through, he still cares deeply for and loves all Americans, no matter how much any hate him. I also, after all this time, after all I've been through, believe in Obama and I care. I care - about Americans, about Britons, about everyone. Because that's what we should do. That's what "Hope and Change" was about and I believe that message remains relevant.
In January of 2008 - an astounding eight years ago - I lived in Southern Oregon, had two cats, both parents and no official education. Nowadays, I live in Nottinghamshire, have no pets, one parent, some academic qualifications with more on the way and a chance to make it into university. Oh, my universe sure has changed since the pre-Obama world; I am a massively different person to what I was back then.
Brutal. Not brutal in the sense of Obama being an authoritarian but brutal in all the criticism he has received and the sheer amount of opposition he has faced at every turn. Every action he has taken or proposed, no matter how insignificant, has received criticism that has ranged from healthy skepticism (which is completely reasonable and expected) to utter hatred and accusations of him being a "traitor", "un-American" and other loathsome terms.
Such language would never have been acceptable under any former president. I think it's important to remember that no matter how much anyone may disagree with Obama and his policies, everything he has done (and still wants to do) has been because he thought it was best for America. He never set out to "destroy America" or to engage in any similar nonsense - after all this time, after all he's been through, he still cares deeply for and loves all Americans, no matter how much any hate him. I also, after all this time, after all I've been through, believe in Obama and I care. I care - about Americans, about Britons, about everyone. Because that's what we should do. That's what "Hope and Change" was about and I believe that message remains relevant.
In January of 2008 - an astounding eight years ago - I lived in Southern Oregon, had two cats, both parents and no official education. Nowadays, I live in Nottinghamshire, have no pets, one parent, some academic qualifications with more on the way and a chance to make it into university. Oh, my universe sure has changed since the pre-Obama world; I am a massively different person to what I was back then.
Monday, 15 June 2015
The broken door
When out walking today, I found tis broken door by the side of the road:
Believe it or not, I have before seen a broken (and even an intact) door by the road; it was probably back in Oregon. I wonder how this one received all its damage!
Saturday, 7 February 2015
Now been nineteen
Nineteen years ago exactly, my family and I arrived in California. We lived in the Golden State - in the Central Valley - for just under five years before we moved to Oregon, which is the state to the north of California. The last time I visited California was in May 2003.
Do I want to visit California again? Certainly. As I've said before, I want to travel to Southern California one day, which means by default I want to go there. I am not certain about when I'll visit the state again - going there is not a priority - but that's not a reason to be pessimistic.
Do I want to visit California again? Certainly. As I've said before, I want to travel to Southern California one day, which means by default I want to go there. I am not certain about when I'll visit the state again - going there is not a priority - but that's not a reason to be pessimistic.
Monday, 17 November 2014
Liveland History: 17 November 2011
On the 17th of November, 2011, I wrote "The Oregon move":
On that day, it had been eleven years from when my family and I moved to Oregon. It has now been fourteen years since that day and I am amazed by what has changed since I wrote the aforementioned post. I now attend college in Nottingham and no longer live with my parents.
On that day, it had been eleven years from when my family and I moved to Oregon. It has now been fourteen years since that day and I am amazed by what has changed since I wrote the aforementioned post. I now attend college in Nottingham and no longer live with my parents.
Saturday, 9 August 2014
Boring and Dull
Boring in the United States and Dull in the United Kingdom are friends. Why? It's all in their names:
I think it's wonderful that a town in Oregon and a tiny village in Scotland celebrate their uninteresting names together. It's events like this that make the world a better place and - pun fully intended - make it more interesting. I'm also pleased to see that the comments on the linked article above are overwhelmingly positive about the friendship between the two places.
I think it's wonderful that a town in Oregon and a tiny village in Scotland celebrate their uninteresting names together. It's events like this that make the world a better place and - pun fully intended - make it more interesting. I'm also pleased to see that the comments on the linked article above are overwhelmingly positive about the friendship between the two places.
Monday, 21 July 2014
Sheep run
My family and I visited Rutland Water a few days ago. This was a sight to behold:
It's a group of sheep running back to their field after spending some time by the water. This paved path here crosses the dam segment of Rutland Water; the sheep climb over the dam's rocks to reach the water. The trails the sheep have made on the rocks reminded me of deer trails in Southern Oregon.
A few minutes after I took this picture, another group of four sheep crossed the dam, except this time they were going from the field to the water. The one who went up onto the rocks first had to wait for several minutes before her three followers joined her.
A few minutes after I took this picture, another group of four sheep crossed the dam, except this time they were going from the field to the water. The one who went up onto the rocks first had to wait for several minutes before her three followers joined her.
Monday, 23 June 2014
"If You're Gone" - Matchbox Twenty
Another song that our Oregon radio station would play every once in a while was this:
It's "If Your Gone" by Matchbox Twenty; the song was released from Mad Season, the band's second studio album, in 2000. This track and "How Far We've Come", which was released in 2007, are the only Matchbox Twenty songs I can recall hearing; however, my brother has in his music collection ...Something to Be, which is the debut solo album by Rob Thomas, the band's lead singer.
Matchbox Twenty are still an active band: they have had a couple of hiatuses since "If You're Gone" but they have come back both times; in 2012, they released North, their fourth studio album.
It's "If Your Gone" by Matchbox Twenty; the song was released from Mad Season, the band's second studio album, in 2000. This track and "How Far We've Come", which was released in 2007, are the only Matchbox Twenty songs I can recall hearing; however, my brother has in his music collection ...Something to Be, which is the debut solo album by Rob Thomas, the band's lead singer.
Matchbox Twenty are still an active band: they have had a couple of hiatuses since "If You're Gone" but they have come back both times; in 2012, they released North, their fourth studio album.
Tuesday, 17 June 2014
Liveland History: 17 June 2011
When I began Air Nice-to-Livelands in May 2011, my early posts received little readership, which I expected; however, now that I have a greater readership than I did back then I'd like to highlight some of my old works in a segment that I have called Liveland History.
A Liveland History post will highlight a blog post of mine that is over three years old and will feature a summary of that old post. The Liveland History posts will be infrequent - no more than two of them per month - as I do not want my blog to become a recycling bin for my old posts. No, this segment is intended to provide the occasional trip to this blog's past. I know that my readers would be unhappy if I constantly brought back old material and, in all honesty, so would I.
The first early post of mine that I would like to highlight is "Gopher snakes", which I wrote on 17 June 2011:
A Liveland History post will highlight a blog post of mine that is over three years old and will feature a summary of that old post. The Liveland History posts will be infrequent - no more than two of them per month - as I do not want my blog to become a recycling bin for my old posts. No, this segment is intended to provide the occasional trip to this blog's past. I know that my readers would be unhappy if I constantly brought back old material and, in all honesty, so would I.
-------------
The first early post of mine that I would like to highlight is "Gopher snakes", which I wrote on 17 June 2011:
In "Gopher snakes", I wrote about a type of wildlife in Oregon for which my brother and I had a strong fascination: gopher snakes. I explained about how to recognise gopher snakes and what to expect from them in regards to their behaviour towards humans. I also included a picture of a gopher snake in my hand and warned readers to seek additional advice and research before looking for wild snakes or catching them: better to leave animals alone rather than risk harm to them or yourself.
-------------
The text in the dotted lines is how the average Liveland History post will be; however, I expect the length to vary based on how long or short the highlighted post is, and whether or not I have any additional comments to make about it.
Is Liveland History something that would interest you? Like I said, I wouldn't be writing the segment often but I would like to occasionally re-feature and write about some of my early posts. Please do let me know what you think.
Monday, 16 June 2014
Spiders and insects
It used to be the case that whenever an insect or a spider came into the house, I would kill it (especially the latter). As far as I was concerned, they were unwelcome inside and my only way to deal with them was to kill them. In recent years, however, I have changed from killing insects and spiders that come into the house to catching them in a glass and releasing them outside.
Why the change? The main reason is because I didn't like that I was killing innocent creatures. Insects and spiders come into the house in search of food or warmth, not because they are intentionally trying to hurt me or anyone else. In fact, I don't think they've ever harmed me in the comfort of my house! Believe it or not, I felt bad about what I had done to members of their respective species'.
The second reason was because, before we left Oregon, there was a spider living in my brother's room behind his bookcase. It had been there for a long time and we had given it a name, although it's doubtful that it knew or cared about that. No, the spider just kept to itself and caught flies; it didn't bother us and we didn't bother it.
For these reasons, I now make the effort to rescue and release these beings rather than kill them. They have every right to exist as we do and they shouldn't be needlessly slaughtered for what they are.
Why the change? The main reason is because I didn't like that I was killing innocent creatures. Insects and spiders come into the house in search of food or warmth, not because they are intentionally trying to hurt me or anyone else. In fact, I don't think they've ever harmed me in the comfort of my house! Believe it or not, I felt bad about what I had done to members of their respective species'.
The second reason was because, before we left Oregon, there was a spider living in my brother's room behind his bookcase. It had been there for a long time and we had given it a name, although it's doubtful that it knew or cared about that. No, the spider just kept to itself and caught flies; it didn't bother us and we didn't bother it.
For these reasons, I now make the effort to rescue and release these beings rather than kill them. They have every right to exist as we do and they shouldn't be needlessly slaughtered for what they are.
Tuesday, 3 June 2014
Four years here
My family and I have now been living in the United Kingdom for four years. When we arrived here in the morning of 3rd June 2010, it was our first time back in this country since 1996. Moving here was the biggest change in our lives since our move to Oregon in 2000 (although the loss of our two cats in 2009 was also a major - albeit sad - change).
While today hasn't exactly been a brilliant day, I am feeling more hopeful about the future than I was a year ago. Once a few things have been sorted out, we will be undergoing another large change fairly soon.
While today hasn't exactly been a brilliant day, I am feeling more hopeful about the future than I was a year ago. Once a few things have been sorted out, we will be undergoing another large change fairly soon.
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
"Word Up!" - Little Mix
This song has been gaining in popularity here for the last three weeks or so:
It's "Word Up" by Little Mix, a British girl group. "Word Up" was initially recorded in 1986 by the band Cameo and Little Mix covered the song for Sport Relief 2014, a charity event. I like Cameo's original (I even heard it on Oregon radio) but I love Little Mix's cover: it's faster and contains much more energy, combined with the fact that I've always liked their voices.
Actor Chris Barrie appears in Little Mix's video for "Word Up". Barrie is notable to me because years ago I watched Red Dwarf, a sci-fi comedy series in which he starred. Melanie Chisholm of the Spice Girls appears in the video, too. Before tonight, I had no idea that they appeared in the video, as I watched it for the first time an hour ago.
It's "Word Up" by Little Mix, a British girl group. "Word Up" was initially recorded in 1986 by the band Cameo and Little Mix covered the song for Sport Relief 2014, a charity event. I like Cameo's original (I even heard it on Oregon radio) but I love Little Mix's cover: it's faster and contains much more energy, combined with the fact that I've always liked their voices.
Actor Chris Barrie appears in Little Mix's video for "Word Up". Barrie is notable to me because years ago I watched Red Dwarf, a sci-fi comedy series in which he starred. Melanie Chisholm of the Spice Girls appears in the video, too. Before tonight, I had no idea that they appeared in the video, as I watched it for the first time an hour ago.
Tuesday, 11 March 2014
The second return of KIFS (107.5 Kiss FM)
As I have written a few times in the past, KIFS (107.5 Kiss FM) was the radio station my brother and I used to listen to in Southern Oregon. In the summer of 2012, I was able to hear Kiss-FM again by using its online streaming service; however, it was uncomfortable to listen to the station again and I was going to stop, but for some reason I was unable to access the streaming service again, anyway.
Recently, I was informed about a phone app (a legal one!) that streamed radio stations from around the world. I was curious as to whether or not it would be able find Kiss-FM and, lo and behold, it did! For the first time since July 2012, I was listening to Kiss-FM.
Surprisingly, it no longer felt uncomfortable to listen to it. For some reason, the local adverts were playing on app's feed (not exclusively the national ones, as was happening in 2012) and hearing commercials related to Southern Oregon made it feel like "home" again, not an alien world like it did when I listened in 2012. Like that year, though, many of the tracks being played on Kiss-FM were songs that we hear here in the United Kingdom on a daily basis, save for only a few. It is astounding how similar American and British pop radio are; you don't miss much, regardless of which country you live in!
The app was also able to find another Southern Oregonian radio station that we occasionally listened to: KLDR 98.3 (I've mentioned it twice before: here and here). This station played a wide selection of pop songs, but as my radio often had trouble picking KLDR up, Kiss-FM became my primary station. Oh, and the first song I heard on KLDR? Coincidentally, that would be "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors, which was the song I wrote about yesterday.
The Hits Radio and Heart Northamptonshire will remain my primary radio stations, as they are local to the United Kingdom, but I will occasionally listen to Kiss-FM and even KLDR again, now that it's easy and no longer feels uncomfortable to do so. It's just great to hear sounds from my old home again; some might say I'm living in the past whenever I listen to Kiss-FM and KLDR, but as far as I'm concerned I'm just getting the chance to again appreciate something I enjoyed while living elsewhere. If you can do it again, why not?
Recently, I was informed about a phone app (a legal one!) that streamed radio stations from around the world. I was curious as to whether or not it would be able find Kiss-FM and, lo and behold, it did! For the first time since July 2012, I was listening to Kiss-FM.
Surprisingly, it no longer felt uncomfortable to listen to it. For some reason, the local adverts were playing on app's feed (not exclusively the national ones, as was happening in 2012) and hearing commercials related to Southern Oregon made it feel like "home" again, not an alien world like it did when I listened in 2012. Like that year, though, many of the tracks being played on Kiss-FM were songs that we hear here in the United Kingdom on a daily basis, save for only a few. It is astounding how similar American and British pop radio are; you don't miss much, regardless of which country you live in!
The app was also able to find another Southern Oregonian radio station that we occasionally listened to: KLDR 98.3 (I've mentioned it twice before: here and here). This station played a wide selection of pop songs, but as my radio often had trouble picking KLDR up, Kiss-FM became my primary station. Oh, and the first song I heard on KLDR? Coincidentally, that would be "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors, which was the song I wrote about yesterday.
The Hits Radio and Heart Northamptonshire will remain my primary radio stations, as they are local to the United Kingdom, but I will occasionally listen to Kiss-FM and even KLDR again, now that it's easy and no longer feels uncomfortable to do so. It's just great to hear sounds from my old home again; some might say I'm living in the past whenever I listen to Kiss-FM and KLDR, but as far as I'm concerned I'm just getting the chance to again appreciate something I enjoyed while living elsewhere. If you can do it again, why not?
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
The weirdest
When my family and I lived in Southern Oregon, our newspaper was the Mail Tribune. At least once a week, it would feature a segment covering "weird" news. Hidden in my belongings was this cut-out from an edition of the Mail Tribune from well over ten years ago:
It was for a project my brother and I were working on for our grandparents (a home-made book for their 40th wedding anniversary; we gave it to them the next time they flew over to visit); however, for some reason it wasn't included in the completed item and I ended up keeping it. I think we were going to include this small piece of weird news in our project because we thought that it would be something our grandfather would find amusing, but I can't remember why it was ultimately omitted.
I will always remember the Mail Tribune as a decent and informative newspaper; while I occasionally look at it online to follow what's happening in Southern Oregon, I do miss it in its print form. I have, in my possession, at least two full editions of the paper: one from September 2007 and the other from November 2008.
I will always remember the Mail Tribune as a decent and informative newspaper; while I occasionally look at it online to follow what's happening in Southern Oregon, I do miss it in its print form. I have, in my possession, at least two full editions of the paper: one from September 2007 and the other from November 2008.
Saturday, 18 January 2014
What city?
Yesterday, two of my friends linked me to this page:
My result was Portland, which pleased me as Portland was the largest major city to me when my family and I lived in Oregon.
I decided to post this because it was mildly entertaining and because, unfortunately, I couldn't come up with anything else interesting to write about tonight. I should have something better for tomorrow.
Monday, 13 January 2014
Jingling bells (2)
There was something I neglected to mention in last night's post. Have you seen the film The Polar Express? It's been quite some time since I last saw it but it's one of my favorite Christmas films. Anyway, whenever I jingle one of the bells, I am reminded of the jingle bell that is near the end of the film, is vital to its plot and gives confidence to the lead character.
I first saw The Polar Express years ago, when my family were living in Oregon. I was unsure about the film when I saw its trailer in the cinema, but when I watched it I loved it. It's a beautiful movie and has a hint of sadness at the end.
That was all. I meant to include this in the previous post but forgot! Sorry about that.
I first saw The Polar Express years ago, when my family were living in Oregon. I was unsure about the film when I saw its trailer in the cinema, but when I watched it I loved it. It's a beautiful movie and has a hint of sadness at the end.
That was all. I meant to include this in the previous post but forgot! Sorry about that.
Saturday, 21 December 2013
Start of winter 2013/14
The next winter has begun, or maybe, is it really summer now and winter just ended? Back in Oregon, we had a friend who joked that the start of winter was actually the beginning of summer. Why did he think that? Because it's the shortest day of the year and the days get longer after that until the 21st of June, when the days start to decline in length. Did he also joke about that particular date being the start of winter? He certainly did!
It's felt like winter here for the past few days, anyway, so the official change of season is just a formality at this point.
On another note, it's now slightly over three days until Christmas!
It's felt like winter here for the past few days, anyway, so the official change of season is just a formality at this point.
On another note, it's now slightly over three days until Christmas!
Sunday, 24 November 2013
The golf balls
A very long time ago, I used to collect golf balls:
Back when my family and I lived in California, there was a park that we walked to most Sundays. This park was popular with golfers, who would play their games but never pick up after themselves. My brother and I would pick up all the balls we found and bring them home; we amassed a golf ball collection while cleaning the park of what was technically "litter".
The two golf balls in the above picture are the only ones I have left; however, neither of them came from the park. I received them from a neighbor in Oregon. Other than them, I do not collect golf balls anymore; don't get me wrong, golf balls are neat, but I no longer have any need to collect them.
The two golf balls in the above picture are the only ones I have left; however, neither of them came from the park. I received them from a neighbor in Oregon. Other than them, I do not collect golf balls anymore; don't get me wrong, golf balls are neat, but I no longer have any need to collect them.
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