Opening up my head door
August 26th, 2009 | by TJ |So, for reasons I don’t really feel like going into in a public area, it’s been a pretty stressful few weeks. Things were kind of tough here and there for a bit, and then Phil and I went on a little vacation out to Anaheim (we were originally going to Blizzcon, but sold the tickets and just had a nice vacation out there, staying with his aunt) and I feel a bit better now. Getting things back under control, at least. But over the few weeks that it’s been a little quiet around here, I’ve thought of some things I’d like to tell you about.
- First of all, I was thinking today that I don’t really know enough people with an appreciation for Queen. I mean, everyone likes Queen, right? We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, etc. But I’d like to hear from some people who really like Queen and appreciate some of the less famous songs. There’s some really great stuff out there. What is your favorite under appreciated Queen song?
- Secondly, I’ve got to say, this doesn’t even really make sense, but when I moved out here, I know I was leaving pretty much everything and everyone I know, and it was a bummer, but it hasn’t been bad. I love being out here with Phil and while I don’t have any real feelings one way or another on Arizona, I’d not mind being anywhere that he is. Since the engagement, however, it’s been a bit more difficult. Not that I need to be the center of attention or care to be, but when something major like that happens, you really realize that there’s no one here, at all. That’s been kind of a downer lately.
- Thirdly, Ratshag left a diet soda in our car for me. I was totally going to sell it for a million dollars, but when we were going out yesterday, Phil, knowing that I don’t go anywhere without a diet soda, handed it to me from the fridge. And I drank it. There goes our future riches.
- Fourthly, I really love webseries type shows. There’s Dr Horrible, of course, and I still think that LonelyGirl15 was one of the most creative and awesome and ambitious projects that has been done to date in terms of the webseries genre. Recently, and you can laugh if you want, I watched all of Sorority Forever, another webseries that had Jessica Rose (aka LonelyGirl15) in it, and I really enjoyed it. If there are any webseries type shows you watch, I would love to hear about them, especially if they’re along the lines of LG15 or Sorority Forever – kind of a mystery that unfolds as it goes along.
- Fifthly, I’ve mentioned here in the past that I used to lead a Molten Core raid some years ago, and over the weekend, I got a chance to meet the main tank from that raid. He was in CA for Blizzcon, all the way from New Zealand. Phil and I had just been at Disney all day and were so exhausted, but I am very happy we didn’t pass up the chance to hang out with him for a bit, it was awesome.
- Sixthly, someone recently commented and asked about my WoW playing. Phil and I hadn’t played at all in a very long time, and Phil even cancelled his account. Of course, as soon as it was cancelled, he got interested again. I’ve started playing again, too, but neither of us has touched our higher level characters. We have all our high toons over on Silvermoon, but we don’t have a guild over there, and I think I’ve realized that in order for the game to really hold any interest for me, I need a fun guild to hang around and chat with. So we’re trying to find a place with fun, friendly people who are willing to take on a couple of lowbies who really just like the social aspect and will not likely be raiding any time in the near future.
- Seventhly, I’m leaving for Pennsylvania on Friday, to stay out there for 2 weeks. I haven’t seen my family since Februrary and I’m really excited to go somewhere where everything is familiar. I’m going out there to start the wedding planning process, though, so it might be a bit more stressful than I’d otherwise like.
- Eighthly, did you know that I burn incense all day, every day, everywhere? Even in the bathroom or outside. I burned incense pretty frequently at my home in Maryland and I’ve realized that doing it here and walking into rooms that actually smell like home has done a LOT for making me feel more comfortable.
- Ninethly, Phil and I went to the used bookstore last night and bought a bunch of stuff. I picked up a kid’s book I remember terrifying me years ago, and I’m really enjoying reading it again. There are a lot of books I read as a kid that I’d like to collect all over again. I remember getting so much more satisfaction and enjoyment out of books back then. Not that I don’t like books now, but they felt so much more epic and special. Stuff like Betty Ren Wright and Mary Downing Hahn and the hardcover Nancy Drew books and just tons of stuff. I also picked up the rest of the Alvin Maker series by Orson Scott Card – I read the first one years ago. I also go a bunch of George R. R. Martin as well. I’ve been reading a lot of chick lit lately and I really just wanted to find some stuff that was seriously epic and immersive.
- Tenthly, YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE WHO WAS STANDING MERE FEET AWAY FROM ME IN THE LINE TO PICK UP BLIZZCON TICKETS AND I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW IT WAS HIM SO I DIDN’T GET TO UNLEASH MY FURY.
By Evil Sheep on Aug 26, 2009
I am a die hard Queen fan. My favorite band ever. As for under-appreciated songs, the first one that pops into my head is “The Show Must Go On.” It was recorded weeks before Freddie Mercury’s death, and therefore has a special meaning (at least in my mind).
Now how about under-appreciated albums? There were several good songs on the Flash Gordon soundtrack, as well as “A Kind of Magic”, which is great start to finish.
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By Melissa on Aug 26, 2009
Funny – I had a dream this morning about having to sing a Queen song for a musical review show. I sucked, terribly, which is probably why I remember it.
I played the HELL out of Queen’s “A Night at the Opera” when it first came out, and fell in love with one nerdy song that (understandably) got no radio play. It was “Prophet’s Song,” which, ironically, Wikipedia tells me, was inspired by a dream. It was also considered the first “power metal” song. Waddya know.
I’ve missed your frequent, and frequently funny tweets, but it takes a lot of energy to be that vocal, and it sounds like you need to invest that elsewhere. I understand about being away from kith and kin in stressful times – it is HARD. Enjoy your hometown visit!
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By Fyurae on Aug 26, 2009
A Kind of Magic is the only Queen albumn I own, actually. I’ve never owned many CD’s (broke my whole life), but it was a hand-me-down from a family member.
Also, we have a pretty nice little casual raiding guild over on Wyrmrest Accord. We have some members that like progression, some that like alts; new players, veterans, and lots of weirdos.
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By Awlbiste on Aug 26, 2009
I appreciate all the Queen songs, I even went to the musical in London, so I don’t know which ones are under-appreciated (by losers probably).
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By Jason R. Peters on Aug 26, 2009
I just finished the fourth book of George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Fire and Ice.” Good stuff, but I’m getting annoyed with lack of resolution of the long term plot threads.
I think I’ve read every Orson Scott Card novel but 3 or 4. Have you seen Card’s recent essay on now being the golden age of fantasy? He raves about author Brandon Sanderson, who (discovered independently of Card’s review) has become my new favorite fantasy novelist.
He’s the one finishing the Wheel of Time series since Robert Jordan died at the request of Jordan’s wife.
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By Jon on Aug 26, 2009
A few things:
first) Bicycle Race by Queen definitely blows my hair back.
2nd) You must know I’m a guildleader of a very “awesome” guild on Dark Iron
(C.) Who was this person mentioned tenthly in your post?
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By HokieJayBee on Aug 26, 2009
Another One Bites the Dust – best song evar! At least I thought so between the ages of 4-6, 20 something years ago.
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By Pablo on Aug 26, 2009
” since Robert Jordan died at the request of Jordan’s wife.” requests like that will get you prosecuted.
Please don’t go all Bridezilla TJ – don’t ever, EVER say “but it’s MYYYYYYYY Day!!!!!”
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By Monte on Aug 26, 2009
Fat Bottom Girls – Best Queen song ever
Followed closely by Killer Queen
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By papafloatmonkey on Aug 26, 2009
Death on Two Legs = favorite Queen song
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By Starburn on Aug 26, 2009
I’m well into ‘The March of the Black Queen’ from QueenII at the moment. Is that under-appreciated enough? ;)
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By Caroline on Aug 26, 2009
I was going to write a really long comment about family and friends being terribly far away leading to major suckage, but I’m sure that no one hear wants to hear my sob stories, so I just wanted to say that I understand SO MUCH about #2. SO SO SO MUCH. And I just wanted to give you a hug and let you know that it gets better, even if it can take awhile sometimes.
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By john the diver on Aug 26, 2009
Books…
I’m sure well below your reading level, but my son (he is 14 now) the wife and I have really been enjoying the series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” Don’t let the fact that it will be a movie next year fool you. It was part of the summer reading program at the library I work at and I just love it.
Gist of the story…Even though people do not still worship the Greek Gods doesn’t mean they do not exist. They still do all those Greek Gody things like make babies with mortals fight amongst themselves etc. etc.
5 book series, my son read a book a day over the summer and really enjoyed them. Very EPIC, and a lot of fun. Oh and Percy is the male “Hero” but he is surrounded by much stronger, much stronger girls. It is nice to see the girls in the strong roles unlike Harry Potter, where they were mostly supporting, and helpful.
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By zwingli on Aug 26, 2009
Just a quick note on guilds…
If you want to make some lowbies on Sents server, then check out Imperial Guard and Pheonix Rising. I’m in IG, btw. Both aren’t very big, and we do a lot of stuff together. We’ve recently (IG) started raiding, but that isn’t the center of our life. We are a social guild that likes to goof off on /g chat.
Roll up a lowbie and check us out. Feel free to /w me.
Zwingli
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By Tin on Aug 26, 2009
most under-appreciated song? ’39 imho (well, my fave at the very least)
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By Thaumaturgos on Aug 26, 2009
Queen: “Someone to Love”
WoW: Good to hear. After the sad demise of BRK I thought you may have given it away.
New Zealand: Your ex-main Tank is from there/ that’s where I live! Nice to see how global the net is.
Enjoy your holiday with your RL family. Dont miss Phil too much
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By Ellie on Aug 26, 2009
Like others have said, Killer Queen, Fat Bottom Girls, Another One Bites the Dust, and pretty much every song they’ve done, big or small. But It’s wow-related, a webseries called The Guild.
you can find it on youtube. It’s funny :)
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By Evil Sheep on Aug 26, 2009
Not necessarily children’s books, but some books that will take you back to that childhood fascination with reading are the “Peter and the Starcatcher” series by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. Kind of a prequel to Peter Pan, and really good reading.
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By Brian on Aug 26, 2009
On the few rare occasions I played acoustic music for an adoring public, “Fat Bottomed Girls” was in my setlist.
Also, HOLY CRAP YES GEORGE R R MARTIN. The man is brilliant, and I hope he doesn’t pull a Robert Jordan. I want all seven before he goes. If he so much as TRIES to die, I will personally go into debt to put him on life support for years and years.
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By Kate on Aug 26, 2009
My guess for Tenthly is Ryan Gosling? Although I don’t know why TJ would have rage at him?
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By Dzargul on Aug 27, 2009
I don’t listen to Queen. Not with intent. I belong to the club that believes any tape left in a car for over a fortnight metamorphs into a ‘Best of Queen’ tape.
Earthen Ring is fun. Targuras is there. He has poor impulse control.
Lastly: Steven Erikson. Forever.
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By BlueTiger on Aug 27, 2009
The first song that popped into my mind was “Life is a lemon and I want my money back” – but that’s Meat Loaf. So my answer is Meat Loaf is Queens most under-loved song!
Books – the Sookie Stackhouse books where the last I read – surprisingly good. GRR Martin’s I just want to end (I can help out Brians debt there) although now I’m back on JD Robb…again…forever and ever….
Who’s the Tenthly? Gah! Don’t like cliffhangers! I’m gonne go ahead and guess Ghostcrawler (but why would he be in line…)
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By Bo on Aug 27, 2009
This just reminds me that somewhere buried at my parents house is my video cassette of the videos from Quen Greatest Hits 2…. haven’t seen that in AGES!
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By Dechion on Aug 27, 2009
My all time favorite by Queen is “The Prophet’s Song” off of the Night at the Opera, Unfortuantely I played it to death and did not copy it.
I suppose now I have to go find it when I get off work ;)
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By Melchoir on Aug 27, 2009
To the first, as many had said, you can’t go wrong with Night at the Opera. I can’t really pick a favorite under appreciated song. The three-way tie is between Death on Two Legs, I’m in Love with my Car and ’39. There are plenty of other great songs I could add, but they are pretty mainstream. Or at least, I think they are. Kinda hard to tell when just about all your friends are really into Queen. I will add, however, that Another One Bites the Dust has a really fun Bass line when you are first learning to play.
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By Llinkla on Aug 27, 2009
Queen I want to ride my bicycle. Yes, it gets in my head for weeks and I want to beat my brain out with a rusty hammer… then I listen to it again.
At least Phil was nice enough to bring you a soda. My guess is his husbandly instinct drew him to the most special and highest quality soda for you. He deserves a gold star for that but since we have no gold or riches now he gets an aluminum foil ball instead.
Who was close to you in line? Was it one of “The Guild” cast members? That would be super nerdy excitement! ^_^
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By Michael on Aug 27, 2009
If you want epic fantasy, check out the author David Eddings. First book called ‘The Pawn of Prophesy’ will get you started. I always felt he wrote fantasy with a different slant, more understated humor to start with. There are other points that I can not quite define that lend to his stories a different ‘feel’. I tend to reread his works routinely every other year or so.
Anyway, very highly recommend.
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By Betelgeuse on Aug 27, 2009
Fro Queen, “The Prophet’s Song” is definitely a cool song.
For web series, check The Guild out. It’s hilarious, and especially since I play WoW it’s….scarily accurate. You can find it on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grCTXGW3sxQ Here’s the first episode.
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By Fuller on Aug 28, 2009
I have to second the suggestions of both Brandon Sanderson and David Eddings for epic fantasy reads. I especially like Sanderson; he’s fairly new (5 books: 1 trilogy, 2 standalone), but he has the ability to weave a totally epic and unpredictable tale.
I also really like Max Barry (or Maxx Barry on one of his books; he thought it would look cooler) for non-fantasy fiction, mostly based on marketing and the company, but surprisingly hilarious.
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By beaker on Aug 28, 2009
Good to see geekdom is global:)
“It’s a kinda Magic” and “this could be heaven for everyone” are amzing Queen songs though ofc “Bohemian Rhapsody” is the king of all.
and /nod to George R R Martin; brilliant author…lets just hope he stays Hale and Healthy for a long while to come.
Can’t wait for the WoW expansion, really love low lvl alts….will be nice to have new content while leveling.
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By Dulcea on Aug 28, 2009
David Eddings is totally awesome, but if you read Pawn of Prophecy (The Belgariad series (of 5 books)is what its called, followed by the Mallorean series, which is also 5 books), stay away from his two sets of trilogies, which I can’t think of any titles at the moment. They’re basically the same format, condensed…complete with color/character themes.
I am also much in the way curious about the tenthly…since that brought about full caplocks rage. *grin*
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By Evil Sheep on Aug 28, 2009
Whatever you do, if you pick up Eddings, stay away from the Younger Gods series. I love Eddings, but that series was the worst crap I’ve ever read. Had they not repeated themselves so much, the series could have been written in one book instead of four.
On the other hand, pick up the book “Redemption of Althalus” by David and Leigh Eddings. Awesome book.
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By Michael on Aug 29, 2009
@Dulcea
I rather liked the two trilogies you are talking about. I forget the names but the first book is called The Diamond Throne. I felt he refined his unique streak of humor with that first trilogy. Then he hit his stride in the second 5 book series (Malloreon?).
I also totally recommend the ending books Belgarath and Polgara to end the two 5 series with.
I totally agree with Evil Sheep on The Younger Gods series. Total rehash of characters/plots for four books. Not read Althalus yet.
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By midian on Aug 29, 2009
Don’t Try Suicide my contribution to the under apprec. list..
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By Trixie on Aug 31, 2009
Hardcover Nancy Drew books!!! You are my new personal hero.
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By Silvertracks on Aug 31, 2009
And how is Mel? The non-lootable OT is moving to Denver soon.
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By Silvertracks on Aug 31, 2009
A Kind of Magic & You’re My Best Friend have always captivated me. They are my votes for under appreciated list.
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By Capn John on Sep 1, 2009
I really like Who Wants to Live Forever.
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By Phaedra on Sep 1, 2009
If you like “Dr. Horrible” and started on “The Guild”, you should also check out “Legend of Neil”. Hilarious and totally NSFW.
As for Queen, “Bicycle” and “Fat Bottomed Girls” both have a special place in my heart, along with “Who Wants to Live Forever” and the Flash Gordon soundtrack.
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By Aboo on Sep 2, 2009
Alvin the Maker is a great series. And George R.R. Martin’s: Clash of Kings series is fantastic as well. One caveat though. That bugger is old, and WAY out of shape. I will be highly surprised if he makes the ending of that series before he kicks the bucket. And I will hunt him to the gates of hell and drag him back by his fat, hairy jowels if he does too…
I’m currently reading Patricia Briggs (were-wolf/fairy in modern day times) which is also good stuff. Bonus is, her heroes are mostly chicks. If that matters to you, but she does them well.
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