song 42 "Denise got a job!"

So Denise got a job at a dental office that she really likes. She even sang a song about. The quote probably isn't exact, but it's something close to a portion of what she sang :)

You just got the best job in the world
It's time for you to let it sink in

If you want to tell your friends
it's OK

"Who has a job? It's Denise!
She's the only one with a job!
It's not you. You don't have a job."
That's not really true
I have a job
but that's what you sang to me

Perhaps what you meant
is that you got a job that you love
and I just have a job
just like everybody else

"Who has a job? It's Denise!
She's the only one with a job!
It's not you. You don't have a job."

song 41 "microwave"

This one was inspired I think. By what? I have no idea, but while I was getting my mail pulled down for delivery, it just came to me, and I had to stop and write it down. Probably from a higher power would be my guess. I really must be something special. Enjoy! I know I did.

In a microwave

all of your wildest dreams will come true

you can fry an egg

or make a really fancy stew

You can pop popcorn

you can pop anything

and pop in your mouth

I've even popped a chicken wing

If you could get inside

you probably wouldn't stay alive

but I've heard 

that a cockroach would survive

the radiation waves

and so do I

What I'm trying to say

is I'm waving to you

Good bye

song 40 "hair"

Alright. Remember when I said I had a song idea but I wanted drums? Well, I thought I'd be doing more collaborative songs, but it turns out that's easier said than done. So I did it without drums. This idea was from pretty early on in the project. I was getting lots of comments from people that started with "you should write about....". Denise had just gotten a new haircut and I told her I liked it. She said "you should write about it". The next day these words and this guitar lick got into my head on the way to work. So here it is. No drums :(

Hey hello

What's up?

Her hair

The way she moves her body

and when she's doing Pilates 

I'm watching her

Her smile

and when she say's she loves me

or when she's doing the laundry

I'm watching her

song 39 "notes and a beat"

Wow. I almost feel like it'd be better to not do anything.

something simple something short
I'm distracted
and I'm running low on time

Here's some words
and some notes and a beat
and I'll even throw in a rhyme

hopefully something good
will come out of this guitar again

song 38 "Spy"

After midnight yes....Don't judge me. Good night.

Something not impossible
but clever that's for sure
Did you think this up on your own?
Can I please have a clue?

No try again
You'll get it this time for sure
I'm not being impossible
It's something you can guess I know

Is it leaves? Yes that is right
OK Dad it's your turn
I spy something with my eye
that starts with the letter i

No try again
You'll get it this time for sure
I'm not being impossible
It's something you can guess I know

song 37 "You go I'll stay"

This was done Saturday, but we were at the beach and the ipod is limited.

We took a road trip to the beach
It was cloudy and cold
The weather forecast was predicting sun
but I guess they got it wrong

We had the kids put on their jackets
and started heading out the door
You said just go on without me
because you didn't want to go

You go I'll stay

song 36 "whatever"

I don't know what to say.

It's just another one of those nights
I'll explain
I woke up early went to work
got home bout 2
It was the last skating party
for my kids school
Picked up kid's friend we got there late
and stayed til 4

Then I came home drove to a friends
to go ride bikes
On the way home I stopped to get
milk we were out

I'm home well after 10
still have to write my song
If you wonder why it's so good
please see above

song 35 "takin a nap I guess"

So, yeah, I think this song is amazing. I guess Denise kinda thought most of these songs would be kind of like this. I'm so fantastic I didn't even write words, I just made it up as I went. You're welcome!

song 34 "you're an inspiration"

This took a little practicing. I think the lyrics will be helpful if you want to follow along. I had fun with this one.

I don't want to     argue with you
even though you    piss me off
if you want to     know the truth  a-
bout how I feel    just sit back
and listen
       and don't interrupt me

If you want to be that
way I understand
Why you always want to be such
an ass all of
the time any-

way I want to tell you
I don't even care
When I get home I will just for-
get about you
and the things you
do, You're such an inspiration
not to do what you do

song 33 "Do what's Best"

Hey everyone! One third of the way there :)  This one came together pretty quick and easy, which I didn't feel would ever happen again, as it's just been getting harder. It gives me hope. There's still a long way to go.

Oh my love
I knew right away
that we were made to be
together my dear

I can't give you what you need
so you should leave me
I do my best
but I can't change the past
or let it change me
I've made mistakes and make them still
I still think I love you
I stole your heart then stole your mind
but I think you love me too

Oh my love
I knew right away
that we were made to be
together my dear

song 32 "Ammon"

Well, this really is getting harder. Was getting easier for a little while.

He'll do anything you ask

and he never complains

He really likes to try to make you laugh

and he likes to make up his own games

He's the one

who always tries to make

everything a little more fun

That's my son

He always looks out for his sis

he likes a hug

but he never likes a kiss

He's organized like his mom

and just about never does anything wrong

He wants everyone to feel OK

So he'll keep things to himself

Puts others needs above his own

and helps out around the home

He's the one

who always tries to make

everything a little more fun

That's my son

song 31 "Catalina"

I was completely stumped today and trying to figure out how I got through 3 songs let alone 30. Took a break and went out with Denise and had an idea for a guitar part come into my head on the drive home. When we got home, almost immediately, both of our kids burst into tears because of a fight they had had while we were gone. We talked through a lot of things that they're going through being in a new state and in a new school with all of they're friends and family left behind.  We sent the kids off to bed and I got back to my song. I really love my kids and they were heavily on my mind as I started writing. This is the final product. I think I'll do one for Ammon too. Maybe tomorrow if I can work something out then.

She's just a girl

She was born into the sun

When she smiles, all my worries melt away

She's fierce and fearless

always trying something new

Never surprised to be surprised

by the things that she can do

You're my baby girl

take a bow take my hand

You'll always be my little girl

She loves to draw

and she loves to be outside

She'll go swimming when the water's 45

She has a temper

but she's a sweetheart at her core

She loves her mom

but I suspect she loves her dad

just a little bit more

You're my baby girl

press your head against my cheek

You'll always be my little girl

song 30 "live and let learn"

So, you know how you learn how to do a lot of basic things when you grow up with 8 kids and your parents are busy working, so you just have to figure things out? Then you grow up and you have 2 kids and you're not always working, so you're kids don't have to figure things out, because you can just do it for them and it's easier that way? How will your children ever learn how to cook ramen noodles or fix a flat tire? That's what I'm trying to address with this song.

Give me a break

I could do that

with my eyes closed

and my hands tied behind my back

You are so easily amused

or maybe you're simply just confused

Let me show you

how it's done

but watch closely

it's not easy son

this is so easy for me to do

but maybe not so easy for you

Let me let you have a chance to learn

It can't be easy

when I always take your turn

this is so easy for me to do

but maybe not so easy for you

song 29 "I hear you"

Broke 3 minutes on this one!

I could just leave you alone

if that's really what you need

Maybe I could try to make you laugh

or just pretend that nothing's wrong

I'm listening I hear you

I might sit and watch TV

just to have you close to me

Between the sleep and work and kids

there's not a lot of time that's free

Baby I'm free I'm here for you

Squeeze close to me I want you here

right here I hear you

I'm listening I hear you

song 28 "let's be practical"

My goal is a three and a half minute real deal song. My trajectory is a fifteen second toilet paper ad.

You're on the other side

The things you say don't make sense

We never could agree

We're like a government

Oh, not to disagree

but everything you say 

is totally wrong

You should just listen to me

and everything will go

according to my plan

song 27 "I've been robbed"

So yesterdays song got Denise into a sad mood. I planned to write something silly to cheer her up today, but these "woe is me" songs seem to be my forte. At least I don't think this one will make anyone sad, but it's certainly no laughing matter...ha ha ha.

When I get home

the door's unlocked

and I walk into a disturbing scene

Everything is a total wreck

scattered around

what a mess

I look around and take it all in

What the hell?

Everything here represents a piece of my life

I work too hard just to exist

Did you have to break all those things that you didn't take?

Every bowl and plate costs money to replace!

I pick up the phone, dial 911 as I check the rooms

I wish I had a gun but what would I do?

My TV"s gone, my computer too

My guitars aren't here and neither are you

song 26 "I don't want to think about that"

These were my actual thoughts on my way home from work today. I don't know if I should have put these words into a song, but I have a small imaginary pool. Get it? It's a play on words.

I imagined we were older

I imagined you had died

When I went to the viewing

I just held your hand and cried

I put my fingers through your hair

and pondered all the time gone by

a passing thought as I stood there

Why do people have to die?

I don't want to be left alone

I don't want to leave you behind

song 25 "May 14 1978"

I wrote myself a song. Don't think I've ever written a song on my birthday before :)

I'd also like to point out, this is my 25% done anniversary, and yes, that doesn't make sense.

Why thank you! I'm well!
Thanks for asking!
and how are you?
I hope you're doing well!
That's good to hear!
You're too kind!
I appreciate your saying so!
Thanks! You too!
It was good seeing you!
See you next time!

Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to myself
34 years young
and I have such a wealth
of friends and family
to wish that I am well

May 14 1978
as far as I can tell
Is such an important date
as it's the day that I was born

song 24 "Thank you Mom"

 Here's the 24th installment. Never tried singing with the kids before. They came a long way with the little time we had to write and record the song today.

I like it when you read to me

When you laugh I laugh, it makes me happy

I like when we play pictionary

You drive me to where I need to be

We love you mommy

and we like you best

You understand my problems
and help me figure them out

Might let us trick or treat alone

We watch movies
and sometimes you let us stay up late

Feed us raise us, we think you're great

We love you mommy 

and we like you best

song 23 "good buy"

"I regret to announce — this is The End. I am going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell. —Goodbye."

It's already been a long night

I don't even have the fight 

left in my bones, within my bones

Maybe I should just give in

Would that really be a sin?

It's just too much, just too much 

I may not be back again

This could be the last time

that you'll see me but I want you to know

everything is not fine

I bring this pencil to the page

or beat my head against the wall

It's all the same, all the same

These words don't mean a single thing

Just lines that try to make you think

Oh never mind,  never mind

I may not be back again

This could be the last time

that you'll see me but I want you to know

everything is not fine

song 22 "sunset"

Short and sweet, and maybe  just a little below my vocal range, but I wanted it in this key.

Get a grip everything's OK
You don't have to be the one who 
always takes the blame
and never be ashamed of who you are

Everything's is grand, take my hand
We'll walk out together
and sit upon the sand
Silently we'll watch the sun go down

 

song 21 "what the hey?"

Umm....Can I do 2 dumb songs in a row?

I was walking down the street

it seemed just like a normal day

Then I noticed everyone

was walking backwards

What the hey?

Things start running through my brain

like am I going crazy?

Birds are flying loopty loops

and the trees are dancing

What the hey is going on?

everything is wrong

things that don't belong

are going down

I don't know why

I start to cry

A lion pats me on the back

says everything will be OK

Lions aren't indigenous 

and usually don't talk

What the hey?

A salamander turns and says shh!

as he kneels down to pray

I think I'm in the twilight zone

and then I wake up

I'm OK

 

song 20 "bad guy"

Sometimes, you just gotta goof off a little, cuz it's hard trying to be serious all the time.

oh well 

what do you want to do about it

we could go to the cops and tell them

everything that happened

maybe they would take the time

to investigate the crime

but I doubt it

they see this every day

and maybe they've got better things to do

like catching you

you robbed a bank you stole a car

but you didn't get far

before you burned a convenience store

to the ground

without a sound you stole a purse

from some old lady then you knocked her down

just for fun

and now you're on the run

I hope they catch you soon

and shoot you ....

to the dark side of the moon

song 19 "alone"

 You know how I like to do stuff, but if no one can do it with me, I don't.

the weather's nice
so we should probably be outside
if you don't want to
then I'll just stay in and hide
I guess I never  want to do things on my own
maybe I have a fear of being alone

I want to lay in the grass

and watch the stars

but not alone

I want to drive all night

until I run out of road

but not alone

I want to bring my guitar

to an open mic

but not alone

I want to learn

to do things on my own

song 18 "don't act your age"

 This one was inspired by my bike ride yesterday. I was watching these kids from age 10-15 going down all the same hills and jumps as I was, and I thought "these kids are too young to be doing this!" Then I remembered that at that age, I was propping boards up onto trash cans so I could do jumps with my bike, and going off ramps and riding in pools on my skateboard. I think the biggest difference was the nice bikes and protective gear that their parents bought for them. I don't have a growing old complex...not really.

it's always been this way

we get on and on in age every day
we look back on the last year
and say
I didn't look at things back then
quite that way

I feel the same as I did then
until I look back again
I see what kids are doing now
and I wouldn't even know how

we see kids and what they do
they're too young
then we reflect on ourselves at that age
and what we'd done
we realize it's pretty much the same
it's just a bigger better town
with different games

song 17 "act your age"

Hey, I just made this one up for fun. It really isn't about anybody, so don't ask. Watch your mouth and act your age. Really!

you don't know what you're talking about

maybe you should try to be careful of what you say

if you want to get punched in the mouth

just say it again I dare you

I'm waiting for you to say it again

oh my word

I thought it but didn't act upon it

that's the way that we do it

we're grown ups we keep things to ourselves

you don't know what you're talking about

maybe you should try to be careful and shut your mouth

you should learn to watch what you say

be careful don't say it

I'm waiting for you to act your age

song 16 "security deposit"

No one is safe from my evil hate songs. Some of you will know about what we went through with our first rental house up here in WA. The big one would be no heat from around the beginning of November trough about the middle of December. We legally broke our lease and were promised our deposit back, but 5 months later, no deposit and my calls, texts and emails are ignored. People who give me a hard time, beware!

I can't get it off my mind

it's getting to me

and this is such a waste of time

what can I do about it

I've tried all that I can try

and nothing works

I've tried being kind

tried making threats

tried to appeal to his better sense

I feel like my hands are tied

behind my back

just give me my money back

I can tell he feels the same

I'm getting on his nerves

and he thinks that I'm to blame

so what can I do about it

song 15 "lies"

oh my dear

why the face that you make

and I know it's not the truth

that I hear

oh my dear they pile up

and it's hard

all the lies

I can see the pain in your eyes

oh my dear

I don't care what you did

you can tell me without the lies

that's all I hear

oh my dear it's alright

song 14 "tonight"

This one was really hard for me to play and sing. It's not perfect, but this took me several takes, and I'll take it.

we're going out tonight

whatever you want

doesn't have to be a movie

or some quiet laid back show

we can go out dancing

I'll even get on the floor

and do the moves I only do at home

we're going out tonight 

it's all about you baby

we're going out tonight

I'm your ride home

we're going out tonight

whatever you want darling

we're going out tonight

I'll take you home

you don't want folk you don't want emo

I know

and I'm sure where ever we go

I know

it won't be indy won't be math rock

I know the only one for you is hip hop

we're going out tonight

whatever you want

doesn't have to be a movie

or some quiet laid back show

we can go out dancing

I'll even get on the floor

and do the moves I only do at home

song 13 "one of those days"

Here's a song about not being able to write a song. The words just about work.....almost.

once in a while and to great effect

the stars align and my feeble thoughts collect

I'm just connecting the dots

steaming along as a train firm upon the rails

but this ship has sailed

this is not one of those times

every now and again a feeling comes

and I have something to say

but I'm interrupted and I forget what it was

this is one of those days

sitting outside in the dark of night

watching the sky as the jets fly over my head

and I'm writing the next line

oh never mind

I forgot what I just said

this is one of those days

song 12 "not so hidden message"

I was thinking of those facebook links that say like if this and share if that and how they often have been shared quite a lot. I don't expect this will have the same effect since I don't have a very simply complicated math problem or anything political to really get at peoples core beliefs. But I do have a pretend subliminal message that outta be worth a few shares. We shall see.

I wrote this song with a message

I wrote this song to be heard

I wrote this song before dinner

and I hope my message is understood

share oh share please share my link

or else this won't be heard

oh share please share

you've got to share my link

and I hope that was subliminally understood

now I'm not usually into gimmicks

but these are gimmicky times

and since I'm in it to win it

please send this to 10 of your friends

or you'll probably die

share oh share please share my link

or else this won't be heard

oh share please share

you've got to share my link

and I hope that was subliminally understood