Here's what I'm listening to on Spotify this month

AC Newman via prettymuchamazing.com

I had pretty much given up on iTunes. I felt guilty too because I know when I buy a song from iTunes the artist gets 10¢ instead of 1¢ when I stream from Spotify.*

But with the advent of the hand-held supercomputer we call iPhone, I don't have a small enough music library or big enough storage capacity to use iTunes on it. So, I drifted to streaming music instead. First it was Pandora. Bleh. If I had saved a nickel for every time Pandora played something in no way relevant to the station I was already listening to, I'd have enough money to buy a monthly subscription to Spotify Premium. So that's what I did. I say "had pretty much given up" because just recently I've been enjoying the new iTunes radio feature.

Still, it's not Spotify. I love Spotify because no where else can I discover new stuff or listen to my tried and true favorites as easily. Where else do I go to find new stuff based on bands I already like? Where can I create playlists called Nostalgia and put any song related to any memory I've had from my entire life in it? Touch of Grey? Yep. Hyperballad? Check. Glory Days? Uh huh. Repeater, Via Chicago, Why Can't This Be Love? Yes, yes, yes. My Lovin'? Shhhhh.

Here are 20 songs in my Starred Spotify playlist that I love:


Hope you enjoy and happy listening!

*These figures are not backed by research. Will you look it up for me?

Not Yet a 007 Fan? Here's the 9 Best Bond Films to Prepare You for Skyfall

''[Bond] wasn't infallible, but he always knew the answer, always knew exactly what to do in any situation. And he always knew how to wear a suit.'' - Daniel Craig

And with that, here's your homework before you venture to see Skyfall in theaters:

1. Casino Royale (2006)
The first Daniel Craig film is gritty, edgy, and yet still very 007. Easily my favorite and, for those unfamiliar with the series, the best place to start. I will go out on a limb and say the first 15 minutes might be the best of any action movie.

2. From Russia With Love (1963)
The second Connery film has always been at the top of my list with plenty of thrills, gorgeous camera work and crazy villains. The fist fights make you feel like you're there in the room. Yikes.

3. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
Model George Lazenby faked his way into the Bond role and gets criticized for not being an "actor" but the story is super strong and gives him a chance to be flawed and fantastically three dimensional. And there's Kojak as the bad guy.

4. Goldfinger (1964)
Probably the most iconic Bond movie was Connery's third. Loads of gadgets, guns, goons, and girls. I think the woman they spray painted gold almost died or something. Look it up. Plus, Oddjob!

5. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
Roger Moore was my childhood bond. That feels weird typing that. Anyway, this movie made me a lifelong fan and I wanted to be James Bond to all the ladies (without all the misogyny, of course). It introduces the villain Jaws (the non-shark) and has one of the best opening scenes of them all.

6. Goldeneye (1995)
This is the Brosnan Bond I remember most fondly. Of all the 007s, he was the most smooth but his films got progressively cartoonish so, unless you like that sort of thing, don't waste your time on any other ones he did.

7. For Your Eyes Only (1981)
Moore's most serious turn as Bond has quite a lot of awesomeness in cars and on cliffs but I remember this one mostly for the theme song.

8. Quantum Of Solace (2008)
Craig's second entry was forgettable to many but is still a solid entry in my book and, being the most recent, probably gives you a good lead up to the events in Skyfall.

9. The Living Daylights (1987)
There was a time I considered Timothy Dalton the best James Bond. I don't know. It's probably because he was the grittiest since Connery. I like Moore and Brosnon but, in my head, Bond was always supposed to be rough and tumble and then be able to clean up nice not prissy and never breaking a sweat. That's why the best of the two Dalton entries gets the last spot.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Happy Month of Thanksgiving!

Whenever I consider the abundance of blessings in my life, I always have my Top 5. I think most people do. And generally, the list includes such themes as faith, family, friends, and health. As I said, I’m no exception to this. If there were nothing else good in my life, I would maintain the greatest level of gratitude and graciousness because of these most foundational and fundamental blessings. My convictions of who I am , where I came from, and where I am going – and who I get to go there with – create the symbolic north star in my life.

But I should never stop there. We are encouraged to count our blessings and name them one by one. So in addition to the most essential and life affirming blessings I’ve already mentioned, I think I would like to try an experiment and see if I can write down the first 100 things that come to me for which I am grateful. Not in any particular order, and certainly not “least to greatest.” I want this to be more a stream of consciousness.

1. The funny.
2. The benefit of the doubt.
3. Witty conversation.
4. Personal stories of triumph – anybody’s.
5. The kindness of strangers.
6. Being trusted.
7. Coming home from anywhere to 16 arms that want to hug me.
8. Katie’s sense of humor.
9. The examples of spiritual leaders.
10. The musical talents of my children.
11. DVRs.
12. Sketch comedy.
13. Improvisation.
14. Dinner with friends.
15. Fresh guacamole.
16. Cheeseburgers.
17. Steak at Del Frisco’s.
18. Chilled watermelon.
19. Haagen-Dazs.
20. Almond M&Ms.
21. Hershey Nuggets
22. Personal notes, received from friends over the years, kept in a box, to be read anytime.
23. The Proclamation on the Family.
24. My parents’ support and confidence.
25. Six brothers and sisters who share their life’s experiences with me.
26. Autumn colors.
27. The Pacific Ocean.
28. Songs that take me back to specific times and places.
29. People who assume the best about me.
30. Forgiveness.
31. Receiving advice from trusted sources.
32. Katie’s unfailing belief in me.
33. People who take me to lunch.
34. Listening to somebody speak who is clearly the expert in the room.
35. Faithfulness.
36. Buying clothes without having to try them on.
37. Hearing a new song that immediately resonates and I swear I’ve known it my whole life.
38. Movies I’m ready to watch again the moment that they end.
39. Lucy’s mimicking.
40. Becca’s kisses.
41. Tanner’s smile.
42. Roxanna’s laugh.
43. Connor’s ingenuity.
44. Garren’s dedication.
45. Abbie’s articulation.
46. The love in my home.
47. No car payments.
48. Listening ears.
49. Scripture.
50. Tender mercies.
51. To have confidence in people I work with.
52. Katie’s conviction of her divinity as a woman.
53. Katie’s ability to prepare our children for success in their life’s decisions.
54. Danceable music.
55. Quiet music.
56. Home videos.
57. Other people’s vivid memories of things I’ve long since forgotten.
58. Originality.
59. Pioneers – of anything praiseworthy.
60. My senses.
61. Sleeping next to my wife.
62. Inner strength.
63. Written expression.
64. Spiritual promptings.
65. Personal revelation.
66. Priesthood blessings.
67. Emotional comfort.
68. Pillows.
69. Indoor plumbing.
70. Hot showers.
71. My children asking me to tell stories from when I was young.
72. Abbie being 15 and still holding my hand in public.
73. The goodness I feel in my children, just by being in their presence.
74. Independently owned restaurants.
75. People who offer us hand-me-downs.
76. Colors of the sky at sunset.
77. Herbal remedies.
78. Light, in every sense of the word.
79. Plates of treats dropped off by neighbors and friends.
80. Compliments. I can live an entire month on one compliment.
81. The remarkable generosity of all my in-laws.
82. Books.
83. iPods.
84. My iPhone.
85. Couches and blankets, together.
86. Christmas movies.
87. Having the perfect gift for somebody.
88. Houseguests.
89. Excellent seats at concerts.
90. To be able to travel and see different cultures.
91. Old friends.
92. New friends.
93. For friendships that can go years without communication and pick right back up as if no time has passed.
94. Mentors.
95. Freedom.
96. Exercise.
97. Massages.
98. Quotes that inspire me to keep doing what I’m doing or to change what I’m doing.
99. That there’s still time left.
100.  Feeling that my life is better than I deserve.

On "How to Be Happier" from Inc Magazine

Earlier this month, Inc. magazine posted an article titled, "Be Happier: 10 Things to Stop Doing Right Now" and it really resonated with me. You see, I have a problem being happy. It's gotten a little worse each year to the point where I really have to make an effort to think more positive, be more fun to be around, and not say or write every snarky think I want to say or write.

So, my goal has been to try some of these and see if it helps. Interrupting and criticizing lead the list for me. Give it a read and let me know what you think in the comments.