Week 1: The Mix Tape

Well, here we are. We've been treading water here in Norfolk, NE-Sarah for 7 years, Melinda for 1 1/2-since returning from our childhood here. Work has brought us and kept us here, but there are other forces at work. Sarah is about to get married and move to Milwaukee. Melinda has a husband in Omaha where they own a house.

What's the point? The point is that both of us are so motivated to make a difference in the world that we're willing to make tough choices to make that happen. So this blog is our way of releasing our thoughts into the world and showing the power of women in all aspects of who they are. We're not always career women, we're not just holding out til we're mothers. We, like all women, are the sum of all our parts and we want our posts to show the multi-dimensionality of the world and how we fit into it. How do we do that? With mix tapes.

Each week,we'll put together a mix tape based on a theme and for the rest of the week our posts will fit into that. Will it always be a perfect formula? No way. We'll do what inspires us. So...let's get started.

Today's mix tape: Our all-time favorites: Songs that stick out for us for whatever reason

Melinda's-not exactly in any order
10. Four Seasons, "Oh, what a Night"
Call me square, but Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons are the shit. 

9. Bob Dylan, "Times They are a Changin"
I'm always dreaming of a day when people are more self-aware and are ready to make a positive impact in the world. Bob Dylan was this sort of sexy, chill, rugged Jew and I like that. My husband is Jewish but he's more of the nerdy kind and he's more interested in food than making political overtures in song.

 

 Can you tell the difference?

8. Tchaikovsky, "Swan Lake"
Do this: lay on your bed, in the dark and crank this song up. It will fill your head and move you to believe in things greater than you. Also works with the score from Jurassic Park.

7. The Proclaimers, "I Wanna Be (500 Miles)"

If you hear this song and aren't instantly happy, you failed at life.

6. Bonnie Tyler, "Total Eclipse of the Heart"

Federal law states that you must sing along with this song in your car, as loud as you can, without any inhibition.

5. Carly Simon, "Let the River Run"

 Power ballad from the movie, Working Girl. When I saw the movie as a kid I thought, "this is what grown up business women are like. They are ambitious, have great ideas and prove themselves to get the respect they deserve." I later found out the Melanie Griffith was basically drunk the entire movie and then I thought, "perfect."

Oh, and vallium too. Ah, professionalism.

4. Rogue Wave, "Every Day"

I really love Buddy Holly-who did the original of this song-and feel he was sort of ignored compared to Elvis and The Beatles. This mellow, updated version was the processional song at my wedding 3 years ago. 

3. fun. "Some Nights"

I don't catch on to new music very quickly but I love these guys. Their sound is so original and strong.

2. Frank Sinatra or She and Him, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

I'm not really into Christmas music but this is just a great song. Probably because it's sad and I always have to be different from everyone else. In an odd twist, my next favorite Christmas song is "All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey.

1. The Beatles, "In My Life"

I finally learned about The Beatles in a college history of music class. Obviously I'd heard them before, but I really got into what they did. This song is simple, heartfelt and warms your heart every time.