My Radio: What I'm Listening To

"Let the music take over."

How Are You Doing? - The Living Sisters

Cannonball - Lea Michele

Into the Blue - Kylie Minogue

Know Who You Are - Pharrell Williams (w/ Alicia Keys)
The Look - Metronomy

Simplethings - Miguel

Waves - Electric Guest

Wings - Haerts

Somebody Loves You - Betty Who

Stuck - Caro Emerald

No Rest For the Wicked - Lykke Li

Chandelier - Sia

Feels Like Coming Home - Jetta

Cheating - John Newman

Empire - Shakira

Little Devil - Campa

Cardiac Arrest - Bad Suns

So F*kt Up  - Avan Lava

Baby it's You - Smith

Conduct

I’m not proud of myself
Especially lately
I keep putting things behind
Stalling
Ignoring time
There’s so much to get done!
If I were my own father I’d slap me silly
That’s the thing to do
Because I’m a bit of a disgrace
Of late
and there are ways I ought to behave
That I’ve forgotten about
Don’t I know better?
I think it’s time to take a step back
Re-evaluate everything
Or certain things
The neglected and misrepresented things
It’s time to act differently

Shorty

Why is validation from everyone else so important?
Maybe it's because I'm not strong enough to validate myself
Or is it really conceit?
No
It can't be
I don't seek validation because I think I deserve it
Still, I bet the half of you think I love myself more than I should
Maybe I come off as stick-up-the-ass, high and mighty
But I’m not
I’m really not
This isn’t to say that I could never be that way, though
If I could buy this kind of attitude,
I'd do it now
In a minute
Because let’s face it:
Who wouldn’t give away an organ, some years of his life, a first born even
In exchange for enough confidence to stand up tough and tall.

Goodbye (For Real This Time)

I saved his texts to remind myself he’s an asshole
Just in case I forget
Because shit happens
And the mind is a delicate thing
Especially when we’re in need
Of someone between the thighs
Or inside
You know?

Are You There God? It's Me, Edwin.

I don’t think you like me
I mean, I guess you do but not as much as I’d like you to
You’re so hard on me
Like I’m Lucifer himself
Maybe I’ve got his blood running through me
Is he a distant relative?
It’s not my fault if he is
Don’t make me pay for his mistakes

Why is it all a constant fight?
I just want to breathe like a normal man
Wake up
Feel pretty inside and out
Trust you with every ounce
Have faith without a doubt
What’s wrong with you up there?
What’s happening?
Why can’t you see that I deserve these things?
You disappoint me.

I can’t understand the trials you put me through
I don’t get any of them
What’s the lesson in pitting a simple man against himself?
You are love, supposedly
Where’s the love then?
Don’t you forget about me.

The Oscars

The Oscars are here! This year is probably the tightest race ever.  While there are clear frontrunners in all of the major categories, there are a few nominees worthy of upsetting.  After a lengthy awards season, tonight we finally find out who takes home the coveted Academy Award.  Here are my choices for 5 of the many categories that will finally be announced tonight.  (FYI: Yes, sometimes I have more than one choice for a category. It's hard to choose just one!)

Best Picture
Gravity
This is a two way race, in spite of the other nominees.  Expected to win in this category tonight is Gravity or 12 Years a Slave.  I liked Gravity a lot and while 12 Years a Slave is an important film and a necessary film, it isn't the best film in this category.  It's too long for me and I did get bored a little towards the middle of it.  The last half hour is incredible, though.  Those final moments make up for everything I don't like about the movie and if it wins tonight who could argue with that?  Still, Gravity is it for me.

Best Actress 
Sandra Bullock - Gravity
Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine
These two are the clear frontrunners and I am rooting for a tie.   Is that even possible?  I don't know.  They both deserve it.  I have seen Blue Jasmine about 15 times already－and that's not hyperbole.  I'm addicted to it and I love it.  Cate Blanchett's performance as a financially strapped, mentally broken-down socialite is pitch perfect in every way.  From her manic mannerisms to her cold stares into space and her wacky monologues, it's the performance of a lifetime. Every time I've watched her in this movie, I have been in complete awe. It's the kind of performance aspiring actors should study.  This is why she deserves to win.  However, there's Sandra Bullock fighting to edge her out as the final victor tonight.  In Gravity, Ms. Bullock manages to carry the entire film all on her own.  There isn't a single moment of boredom in this one-woman, edge-of-your-seat thriller about an astronaut stranded in space.

Best Actor 
Matthew McConaughey - Dallas Buyers Club
Chiwetel Ejiofor - 12 Years a Slave
This is another category where two winners would make more sense than just one.  It takes a great actor to take on a role completely unlike anything they've ever done.  It's unexpected, it shows the actor's range, and there is always something to be said about the actor who is brave enough to take risks.  In Dallas Buyers Club, one cannot help but forget it's the Matthew McConaughey before us as an HIV infected rodeo cowboy given just 30 days to live.  Matthew McConaughey is known for his burly physique but he is almost unrecognizable here. No other actor in this category has gone through such a transformation.  Chiwetel Ejiofor is a force in his movie so a win for him would make much sense.  It really is a toss up between these two.  Chiwetel made me cry, Matthew made it hard for me to forget.  My choice, in the end is Matthew.

Best Supporting Actress
Lupita N'yongo - 12 Years a Slave
Sally Hawkins - Blue Jasmine
Honestly, everyone nominated here deserves it.  I was most-affected by these two.  Of course, Lupita's got a slighter edge because she's gotten every other award leading up to the Oscars and, frankly, her performance packs a punch.  But Sally Hawkins is a doll as sister to the unraveling Jasmine in Blue Jasmine.  Lupita N'yongo is my sentimental favorite but I would love to see Sally Hawkins win.

Best Supporting Actor
Jared Leto - Dallas Buyers Club
That scene when he's in bed in obvious bad shape and his friend urges him to get to the hospital, he cries "I don't wanna die." That nailed it for me.  There were goosebumps all over my body.  For me, the most impactful performance deserves to win.  Rayon is still with me today. This one has that epic edge and I hope Jared Leto wins for it tonight.

Best Original Song
Happy - Pharrell Williams
This is usually the wackiest Oscar category.  The winner is almost never the most popular song or the most deserving.  I don't love any of the songs as much as I love this one.