WHAT'S ON MY IPOD?

WEEK 1 (12/7/09)
Ok, so for my recent marathon, I put together a playlist of motivating songs to listen to. So I figured I'd write about the first song on that list this week. Not sure why it was the first one, but it played first when I started the playlist. It was "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood. I don't listen to a lot of Carrie Underwood but there is something about this song. Maybe it's the beat and the fact that's it's pefectly in line with my pace. I hope it's not the fact that the song is about a woman smashing her ex-boyfriend's car to pieces. I'm not saying the message of the song is a positive one and I'm not a violent person. But I do like that song. It does tend to make me run faster. So that's my first "What's on my Ipod". Feel free to comment under the latest blog post.

WEEK 2 (12/14/09)

Something I've been listening to a lot lately and definitely during my recent marathon is "Glee" songs. I know this show is very 'high school musical' and can be cheesy, but I'm sorry - I love the show. The music and especially the arrangements of popular songs is incredible. I have downloaded several of these songs and plan to do more. Of course their version of "Don't Stop Believin'" is the best one (You can listen to it here) and was the first song they really did in their opening episode. I ran 3 miles the other night and listened to nothing but Glee songs and it was the easiest 3 miles ever. I love this show and can't wait for it to come back in the Spring. But I love the music even more. Fills me with "glee". Ok, I know. Cheesy. But that's the theme here.

WEEK 3 (12/21/09)

With it being Christmas week, I have to be honest and tell you that I've been listening to a lot of Christmas music lately. I actually start listening to it off and on right after Thanksgiving. And I do have a pretty good selection of it on my Ipod. So occasionally, I'll listen to that while I run. Some of my personal favorites are Deck the Halls, Please Come Home for Christmas, Let it Snow, the Christmas Vacation theme song, and my very favorite - O Holy Night. But I have many many more that I will listen to. I love this time of year and listening to those songs gets me even more in the Christmas spirit.

WEEK 4 (12/28/09)

Another song from my marathon playlist this week. This is one of the first songs I listened to in my running that really motivated me. And it's funny - I just happened to be turning the channels a couple of weeks ago and noticed "Footloose" was on. Classic movie. But the scene that was playing was the tractor chicken scene where they are riding tractors towards each other. The song playing is "Holding out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler. It's a great song. It's always been one of my favorites and it's the perfect running song b/c of the beat and enthusiasm in it. Always makes me run a little bit faster. So that's what I'm listening to this week on my Ipod - among other things.

WEEK 5 (1/4/10)

I do listen to music a lot on my Ipod, but I also listen to several podcasts. I discovered podcasts about a year ago and enjoy searching for new ones, but I also have several favorites which will be mentioned here in future weeks. But this week I thought I'd mention the first one I think I ever listened to. It's the Running to Disney podcast put out by Gordon Harvey. Gordon has his own blog at runtodisney.com and a little over a year ago, he began a podcast as he trained for his first marathon at Disney World. Listening to his podcast has really motivated me and it was a big factor in my desire to run at Disney. Gordon is also planning to do the Goofy challenge in 2011 like I am. I enjoy Gordon's comments as he's very down to Earth and speaks his mind. We also have a lot in common. We are both teachers, have run 2 marathons, have 2 sons, love to run and love Disney. He recently did a couple of podcasts about the Disney marathon and what to expect. They were very good. You might want to give it a try. I find it very interesting, entertaining, and motivating. You might as well. You can download the podcast from his website or from Itunes.

WEEK 6 (1/11/10)

Another song from my marathon playlist this week. I remember while running in Memphis that when this song came on, it inspired me with a slight burst of speed and energy. It's a little random but I do like it. "Jump, Jive, and Wail" by the Brian Setzer Orchestra. I've always enjoyed that orchestra/big band style of music. My wife and I have been to a few Harry Connick concerts and I always enjoy his band and show. But that's the song that's on my ipod. It played again this week and I was back at the marathon once again.

WEEK 7 (1/18/10)

I've been listening to mostly podcasts this week. I'd rather hold off on mentioning those and spread them out a little bit so instead, I turned on my IPOD and hit "shuffle". I decided I would talk about whatever song popped up first. I like that and may do it that way from time to time. Anyways, this week's song is "Blue" by Eiffel 65. I know this is an "old school" song. In fact, I remember that it came out around 1999 or so b/c it was during my first year of teaching. I remember that class of 5th graders singing it during class. They used to make up lyrics b/c the chorus basically consists of da ba dee da ba dah etc. etc. etc. Anyways, used to be a catchy tune if I remember and somehow it ended up on my IPOD. I liked it when it came out and so if it pops up every once in a while, I'll listen to it.

WEEK 8 (1/25/10)

Shuffled the Ipod again tonight and what should come up but a little Pearl Jam. I'll admit I wasn't as in to Pearl Jam as some of my friends used to be, but I like them every now and again. The song that popped up was "Last Kiss". I know it's a remake but I do love the Pearl Jam version. Good classic song that I enjoy listening to every once in a while. I remember we had some middle schoolers do it in the talent show a few years ago and did a pretty good job if I remember correctly. Anyways, that's what's playing on my Ipod this week.

WEEK 9 (2/1/10)

Shuffling my Ipod today produced the song "My Life" by Billy Joel. There are so many Billy Joel songs on my Ipod. In fact, there are very few songs by Billy Joel that I don't like. He's one of my favorite all time artists. I got to see him in concert when I was in high school (or maybe college) and it was a great show. He's a classic. There are probably songs I like a little better than "My Life" but it's a good one.

WEEK 10 (2/8/10)

I've got a favorite NEW song. All my previous Ipod posts have been old songs or podcasts, but this is the first new one. I am loving the new Lady Antebellum song "Need You Now". They play it every five minutes on the radio so I'm guessing it's pretty popular. But I have to admit it's a great song. Every few months there's a new country song that I really like and this is it for the moment. I had to have it so I downloaded it and put it on my Ipod. So that's the song of the week!

WEEK 11 (2/15/10)

Ok, I'm gonna embarrass myself a little bit here. In addition to downloading the song from last week (Need you Now by Lady Antebellum), I also downloaded another one. I'm not sure why I did it. Maybe because it was on Glee, one of my new favorite shows. Maybe because it's catchy. Maybe because I saw it in a movie preview and a commercial. Who knows, but I did. And I'm admitting it. I just added "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)" by Beyonce to my Ipod. Does that take away some of my manhood? Probably so. Oh well.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 2/22/10

This week I’m highlighting another podcast. I listen to several podcasts while I’m running, but I’d like to space them out instead of listing them all back to back. Besides the “Running to Disney” podcast that I mentioned a few weeks ago, this one is the other that I have been listening to since I discovered what podcasts were. In other words, this was one of my first ones. It is called WDW today. It features 4 regular guys and one girl as they discuss various topics surrounding Disney World. It is typically about 20 minutes long and is broadcast every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It is a GREAT podcast. The 5 regulars have great chemistry together and are hilarious at times. Plus they all know a lot about Disney. They all have regular jobs that revolve around the parks. Once a month, they will do a longer live show and it’s fun to listen to as well. This is a great podcast for anyone even semi-interested in Disney World, especially if you are planning a trip there soon. By the way, every Wednesday show they answer listener’s questions. They have answered several of mine over the last few months. Click here to visit their website and you can download the shows from there or from iTunes.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 3/1/10

Ok, I did a shuffle on the Ipod today and the song "The Look" by Roxette came up. Random, I know. I don't think I know another single Roxette song, but I always did love this song. They are kindof a one hit wonder for me. To be honest, I don't know much about the group. I think they had a song on the Pretty Woman soundtrack. That's about all I know. But go listen to "The Look". It's a bit of a classic.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 3/8/10

I just took a nap outside. Yep, outside. It's a beautiful day and the temp. here in Nashville is approaching the 60's. Anyways, while I was laying down on our deck, I was listening to my Ipod. I decided that I really wanted to hear Rich Mullins' version of How Great is our God because we sang that in church this morning. Our preacher did an amazing sermon on just that topic and he led us in that song to close. I don't think we had ever sung it in worship before but we had in youth devos and at school. It's one of my favorite spiritual songs and I love the Rich Mullins' version. Awesome song on an awesome day!

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 3/15/10

So, I was pressure washing our sidewalk today and decided to listen to my Ipod to make the chore a little more interesting. So technically, I wasn't running while I was listening to this song, but I'm still gonna use it because I've certainly heard it while running before. The song that really caught my attention and caused me to wash at a little faster pace was Karma Chameleon by Boy George. I know that's really old school - 80's, but that's classic if I've ever heard it. I used to love that song even though Boy George was a bit of a freak. Understatement.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 3/22/10

This week is easy! This song was on my Ipod a lot this week due to the video that my son and his friend made. If you haven't watched the video yet, check out the recent post with the YouTube video included. They had a lot of fun doing it and I really enjoyed making it. We've gotten a lot of positive comments about it. So this week's song is Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield. Great, classic song from the 80's that both my boys have fallen in love with. Glad I could introduce them to it!

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 3/29/10

Well, my Ipod is fried (see post 3/29) so I'm not listening to anything this week, but before it died, one song that I recently discovered and downloaded is Company of Fools by Great Big Sea. This is the theme song to one of the podcasts I listen to and it's another very catchy song. I'd not really heard of this group before this song, but I might try to discover anything else out there by them.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 4/5/10

The Ipod is still fried - planning to get a new one this next weekend. But I do have a cheapy mp3 player that I'm using. This week I was listening to a little Aerosmith - one of my favorite bands. I could listen to them all day long and the 2 or 3 concerts I've been to have been amazing. Classic, classic group. Today, it was Eat the Rich by Aerosmith, but I love all their stuff. It's all good motivating, running music.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 4/12/10

I got a new Ipod!! I'll post about it soon, but I loaded my entire library on it and it was so nice to have one again for my long run this morning. While I listened to podcasts for most of the run, I did shuffle some songs toward the end. The last one to play was Shout to the Lord by the American Idol cast of a couple of years ago. It is such an inspirational song and it really gave me the runners high as I finished up my 14 miles. I've been singing the song for years at church and school, but I never really liked the song until I heard this version.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 4/19/10

This week, I had to pull out some really old school music. My students are all caught up in Justin Bieber and NO, I didn't download one of his songs (yet), but they did want to watch the brand new "We are the World" song when Lil' Bieber sang the opening line. That got me thinking about the original (and much better if you ask me) version of the song. So I found it and put it on my Ipod. I loved this song when it came out. Who didn't? I even tried to play it on the piano. Brought back some memories. Good times!

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 4/26/10

On Mondays, I'm in charge of chapel here at the school where I teach. Every once in a while, I'll do "Student Spotlight" where a student or 2 can show off some talent. Last week, I had a student sing a Keith Urban song "Walk in the Country." Great, great song so I had to download it. It's my new favorite this week.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 5/3/10

Bon Jovi was in Nashville last week for their annual concert. I didn't go, but I've been before. They always do a great show. Favorite song of all time by Bon Jovi is "Livin' on a Prayer." However, I have several favorites as they have put out many, many good ones. Maybe I'll highlight others in the future but since they were here last week, I decided they would be this week's "What's on my Ipod?"

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 5/10/10

I've been saving this one for a while but I listen to it nearly every time I do a long run. It's another podcast. I listen to very few podcasts so I've been trying to spread them out but this is one of the best and I can't hold it back any longer. It's called "Two Gomers Run a Marathon" and their website can be found here. It is 2 guys, Anthony and Stephen, talking about their upcoming first marathon. Anthony lives in Florida and Stephen lives in Arizona. They were best friends growing up and now train together in separate states only to meet up for a race. Last year they ran their first half marathon and started this podcast. I didn't listen then but somehow found it this year for their 2nd season where they are training for their first marathon which will be somewhere up north in about 5 weeks. They were originally scheduled to run the Atlanta marathon in March when Stephen got hit by a car a few weeks before the race. It was a little scary but they were very positive about it and turned it into some great material. The bottom line is they are hilarious and very entertaining and this is quickly becoming my favorite podcast. They put one out religiously every week and include regular features like "the week in review", "songs to run to", "the runners corner" and many others. I highly recommend this one.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 5/17/10

Did a little shufflin' this week during a run and it landed on Marc Cohn's "Walkin' in Memphis." I had almost forgotten about this song. He has some classics but this is definitely one of his best. When I ran my marathon in Memphis in December, I remember thinking about this song and looking for things he talks about in the song.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 5/24/10

Pulled out the IPOD yesterday while my boys and I were playing cards. I wanted to do a shuffle and listen to some different and unexpected songs. But why is that every time I play music, my boys want to hear Michael Jackson? They are obsessed. And the scary thing is that right now they are obsessed with the song "Dirty Diana" by MJ. Should I be worried? I didn't really like that song growing up listening to MJ, but b/c they like it so much, it's kindof growing on me. We're a weird family.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 5/31/10

Since we just got back from Disney, I've got Disney music going through my head. I'm going to try and find some of it to put on my Ipod. I particularly love the themes from Soarin' and Fantasmic. But all those cheesy Disney songs (which we all secretly love) are on my mind this week. We had a great trip and so I'm going to enjoy it for a little while longer with some of the tunes.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 6/7/10

No surprise here but I've been listening to a little more High School Musical this week then I'm used to. This is b/c I used the song "What Time Is It?" from HSM2 in our Disney video. So as we've watched the video several times, I've been hearing the song a lot. And yes, it's cheesy, but a catchy tune nonetheless.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 6/14/10

Ok, I'll admit. I'm a Gleek. I love the show. I don't care who knows. I like that cheesy music. This past week was the season finale and I loved it. So I've been listening to a lot of Journey this week. You'll have to watch the show to see why. But songs like "Anyway you want it", "Highway Run" and of course "Don't stop Believing". All amazing. Big Journey fan - mostly b/c of the show.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 6/21/10

Overheard a song in a restaurant on vacation this week that I had totally forgotten about and it's NOT on my Ipod. It's a little old school but I really liked it when it came out. It's "Just Another Day" by Jon Secada. I'm planning to download it soon. Good tune. Should make for a good running song.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 6/28/10

Nothing special this week so just did a random shuffle. The song "Games People Play" by Inner Circle came up. Another classic yet catchy tune. Good song.

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 7/5&12/2010

I'm a little late updating this for this week but I realized this is for the next 2 weeks due to the fact that I won't be able to update this blog next week. This week, I've been listening to a lot of Acapella which is a local (but fairly popular) singing group. I've been listening to them since I was very young and I got the chance to see them perform last weekend at Lipscomb Univ. here in Nashville. They were amazing and it made me want to listen to them more. So I've pulled up a bunch of their stuff on my Ipod. Check 'em out!

IPOD FOR THE WEEK OF 7/19&26/2010

This post is delayed just like the last one. Sorry about that. This summer is just so busy I can't find the time to update these things. So I've decided to post for 2 weeks again this time. I just got back from a week of camp where I was a counselor to a group of high school boys. That's one reason why I've been so busy. It was a great week and ended up being a whole lot of fun. Being the oldest cabin, we always do a song & "dance" number. This year it was to "We're not gonna take it" by Twisted Sister. It turned out really good and after hearing that song over and over, I put it on my ipod to listen to. Another great hit of a few years back.