I'm not there yet

I'm Not There Yet by The Love Story Thief Listen on Posterous

A love story about the Love Story Thief herself. Paul was interviewed by Alexis at StoryCorps and surprised the curator with this podcast/ Christmas present. Music is Girl by Das Racist used without permission (thanks @Heems).

Posted via email from The Love Story Thief

I'm not there yet

I'm Not There Yet. by The Love Story Thief Listen on Posterous

A love story about the Love Story Thief herself. Paul was interviewed by Alexis at StoryCorps and surprised the curator with this podcast/ Christmas present. Music is Girl by Das Racist used without permission (thanks @Heems).

Posted via email from The Love Story Thief

Magnets

Magnets by The Love Story Thief Listen on Posterous

D.C. to New Mexico. To Puerto Rico. To Guatemala. To New York. No matter how far away Sarah went, something always drew her back to D.C. and, more importantly, to Neel. Hearts like magnets.

Music credit: "Since I Fell for You" by Nina Simone

***Warning- there is one expletive in this interview, at 8:11.

Posted via email from The Love Story Thief

well, hello again, summer

Summertime rolls around, and here I am up late at night having a sudden hankering to blog. It probably has something to do with the rhubarb crumb cake cooling in the kitchen (thank you Smitten Kitchen). Or maybe the hum of the AC on this hot, hot night (seriously? a week ago it was sweater weather). Whatever it is, I'm itchy. or was that achy? I fell off my bike today, my entirely too overloaded self falling right off into the street when the grocery bag on the handlebar decided to get caught in the front tire. Right hand is a little bit sore and I wonder if it will impeded the rock climbing (Yes! It's what I do these days. i'm a climber).

In any case, I'm distracted and itchy to create, but since the cake is already made and it is too late to sew (the neighbors will complain because my sewing machine sounds like basketball dribbling) and I need to do more interviews for my podcast so I'll have something to edit... all that leaves me with is writing.

Have you ever considered joining the Army? No? me neither. Except that this last week or so I've suddenly really wanted to join. not for any noble reason, and as most of you know I'm pretty against the war(s). But I think that is maybe exactly why I've been thinking about it-- because it would be so strange and out of character for me to do it. The choices I've made in life have eliminated this as an option. And right now, i'm feeling kind of miffed about it. Don't get me wrong, i know I've made good choices and I'm happy here. but there are a series of choices that are no longer really options for me because of who i've become. i can't join the army. i can't move into a cave with a Bedouin in Jordan. I can't litter. I can't get a chest tattoo. I can't become a surgeon. I can't get addicted to crack and have an illegitimate baby. You might say that all of that is for the best, and I would agree. But there is that little part of me that still, would just like those things to still be options.

I think it's going to be an itchy summer and I wonder where it will take me. I am taking suggestions. 

Chipping a Little Bit Deeper

Chipping A Little Bit Deeper by The Love Story Thief Listen on Posterous

Late one night I ended up talking to my friend Lori about her boyfriend. As she told me about how much she loved his soul and loved constantly learning more about him, I could feel what a good beginning this relationship had. Even when they fight, even when she is upset, even though it is different from what she expected, this relationship amazes and excited her for their future together. And it amazes me too.

P.S. Happy engagement!

Music credit: The London Symphony Orchestra, "Sleeping Beauty Theme" (I just couldn't go with the Disney version).

Posted via email from The Love Story Thief

With the Beatles

I've already found a hole in Todd's supposed "complete" Beatles collection. So, thanks to YouTube I'm managing to dig up these songs one by one from With the Beatles (also released as Beatlemania! With the Beatles in 1964 in the North America with a few changes). I'm supposed to be getting ready for work, but keep getting distracted looking up these songs. Plus, they are catchy. And I can't find my pants. Which means it's a frantic half dance, half tearing my room apart in my underwear sort of morning.

Album 2: With the Beatles, November 22, 1663
(*means song was covered by the Beatles, written by someone else)
It won't be long- Rock out, Beatles! Am I hearing things, or does this have more umph in the music? I like.
All I've got to do
All my loving- Again, lyrics could have more to say, but i do so love the head bobbing quality of this song.
Don't bother me- This is how I'm beginning to feel about not finding my pants. Really, black pants? "I can't believe that she (my pants) would leave me all alone... I know that i'll never be the same, if I can never get her back again...But until she's here, please stay away don't come around (it's not a sight you want to see)"
Little Child- (unpacking my laundry basket yet again...)
*Till there was you- Paul McCartney, you were such an adorable stick of a boy back then. To think, this is one of the most romantic songs ever (at least, judging by the number of times it has been used in romantic comedy weddings). But I must say, there is something about it that just makes the heart flutter a little. Well played, Beatles, well played. I've also resigned myself to wearing my brown pants since the black ones are nowhere to be seen. sigh.
*Please Mister Postman- I swear Sesame Street covered this song. This one demonstrates a bit more complexity than the songs on the first album.
*Roll Over Beethoven- Chuck Berry cover. All i can think of is a Saint Bernard dog with drool.
Hold Me Tight-This song is terrible. Sorry.
*You Really Got a Hold on Me- Oh Smoky Robertson, what a smooth song. I'm noticing that I think my favorites on this album are songs the Beatles are covering by other artists. Hmm.
I wanna be your Man- still waiting to be convinced...
*Devil in Her Heart-
Not a Second Time- The songs by the Beatles are really... simple? simple. Catchy, but lack something in depth. But watch this video, Ringo is a darling dancer and i wish more men would wear speedos like John.
*Money (That's what I want)- Can't help but love this songs. Speaks the truth, don't it? Every so often, i have those thoughts that maybe i should just marry for money. Really, "love" hasn't worked out so well, why not do it for a little money? that is what I want. (just kidding. sort of)

So, at the conclusion of record #2... honestly, my faves were probably the ones that were written by others. But the Beatles did a fine job covering them. And I did a fine job finally covering myself and getting out the door (I hate clothing drama! and I have to do this all over again tomorrow... sigh).

What's so great about the Beatles?

Sure, I know their songs. Catchy little tunes. But, I've never quite gotten the obsession. So, thanks to my friend Todd, I'm listening to ever Beatles album in chronological order. It will take me a while. And I won't do it all at the same time. But, here we go.

Album 1: Please Please Me, March 22, 1963.
According to Rolling Stone, this album contained evidence of "[their invention of] the idea of the self-contained rock band, writing their own hits and playing their own instruments." According to Wikipedia, the Beatles had two singles (Please Please Me and Love Me Do) and had to come up with 10 more songs for the album, which they recorded in one day in 9 hours, 45 minutes. Lennon was sick, so they saved the rowdy Twist and Shout for the last song on the album to spare his voice. Please Please Me wasn't released in the US as an album until cds were invented and then as part of an anthology.

I saw her standing there- A classic, but not my favorite.
Misery- This is the cheeriest sad song i've ever heard in my life. I kind of dig it. I like the "I remember all the little things we've done..." downward progression.
Anna (Go to him) - I really like the guitar riff at the beginning of this song. I feel like this song was copied by a bunch of other oldies artists- it reminds me of a bunch of other songs.
Chains- Elvis?
Boys- Boring.
Ask me why
Please Please Me- the title track, hit single. Am I impressed by the brilliance of Lennon and McCartney yet, like the early adopters in the UK? Meh.
Love me do- nice harmony. but the lyrics could probably use a little more to them. Well, all the songs could be a little bit more complicated with their lyrics. Okay, 3rd time with the chorus, this song is boring me.
P.S. I love you

Baby it's you- who is singing here? that voice is kind of dreamy.
Do you want to know a secret- I love this song. It makes me bop my head in such a pleasant way.
A taste of honey- This is a song where the pageboy haircuts really came in handy.
There's a place- I swear they've been playing the same three chords the whole album.
Twist and Shout- You know, I have always confused the first few notes of Twist and Shout and La Bamba (are they even that similar? i have no idea). Nothing against the Beatles, but i always secretly wish it were La Bamba. Sue me, i saw the Richie Vallens movie on tv as a kid and it seemed so tragic, so obviously I was sold.

32.6 minutes later, album 1 is done.

Jail was never so sweet

Don't Give Up.

Don't Give Up. by The Love Story Thief  
Download now or listen on posterous

Don't Give Up..mp3 (20559 KB)

I met Anabela and Jorge recently on a trip.  As a love story thief, I was immediately drawn to them because of the tender way they were together. Constantly wandering off, content in their own world taking pictures and seeing things, together.  They way she looked at him and smiled, the way he was considerate of her, they seemed perfect together. But the reason I collect love stories is because there is always a story- every strong couple has challenges and mistakes that make their love more enduring as they pass through them.

Music credit to Carla Brunei "Tout Le Monde". I don't speak French, so i have no idea if the words are appropriate but the melody is.

Posted via email from The Love Story Thief