Marry me, Ferry.

Guys.

I don't know if you've been checking out my playlists lately or not, but I am ALL about Bryan Ferry.

He's my new true love. 

My parents have been huge Roxy Music fans for forever, and it's always been vaguely in my auditory peripherals, but it took an interview with Sofia Coppola about her music taste to launch me into my full-fledged mania. 

She referenced his version of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" (you may have seen this on THREE of my playlists...), and as soon as I heard it, I was obsessed. 

And when I obsess, I obsess. 

That voice! That look! The hair! Those suits! Those moves! The sparkles!

YUM.

Just what I needed - another British 80s singer to be gaga over. 
(Don't worry Morrissey, you still my bu.) 

He has transitioned from 70's lead singer all the way on to Jay-Z's Great Gatsby soundtrack! He's timeless!
He's got style, he's got taste, he's got a sense of humor. 

Can you ask for more than this? 

AND he does all my favorite things! Covers! New Wave! Jazz Age! Dance Music! Standards! Orchestral! Re-Mixes! Is there anything he can't do?! 
... Other than see that we're meant to be together?

Sure, he's 68, and spent a long time rocking more earrings than I'm comfortable with, but we can work through that. 
He's so sensitive and understanding. (Except for that one time he married his son's ex-girlfriend... We're just gonna forget about that little blip...)

And anyone who can rock a bowtie and leather jacket at the same time is destined to be with me!
I'll sip coffee while he rocks out on the synthesizer. 
He'll take me to movie premiers and I'll help him coif his hair. 
I'll learn how to tie his bowties for his tuxedos and he'll find my self-depricating humor and clumsiness irresistible. 

Oh well. 
I guess I'll go dance away the heartache. 

Falling for Alvin - A Tail of Love

I've never been a cat person.
Seriously. 
Like, At all. 

When I was younger, our neighbors had approximately 80 million cats, all of whom would run across our roof all night long and I EFFING hated it! (And by "it" I mean them.)
I would storm outside in my pajamas and throw rocks up there to get them to stop. Not trying to hit them directly per se, but still, not the behavior of an animal lover.

Although not a big animal fan in general, I could see the interest in dogs - loyalty, company, walks, personality, all that jazz. 
But - the appeal of cats completely eluded me. 

And then I met Alvin.

And I fell completely head over heels. 

I'm in love!!! 

I'm in love!

 And I don't care who knows it! 

We're an unlikely pair, and ours is a romance that no one could have predicted.

He's a narcissist with intimacy issues, I'm a neurotic with a need to over-share.
But somehow, it works. It's crazy, but I guess sometimes love doesn't make sense. 

I've gotten a lot of questions about my recent instagram activity.

He's changed me. 

Cat-love has taught me so many things:

- He reminds me to slow down & appreciate little things, no matter how small. 

- He's taught me patience and how to take a step back when the person you're dealing with needs some alone time. 

- He reminds me to be assertive and let people know what you want while still letting them know that you care.

- He's fearless and funny and honest, qualities that everyone should possess, human, canine or otherwise. 

- And most importantly, he taught me to be less judgmental. When he would do something weird, I'd just think well, I guess that's just the kind of cat he is. And then I realized - that's how I need to deal with people! Instead of being bothered by or judgmental about the decisions people make or the way they behave, I just need to accept that that's the type of person they are and it's good that we're all different.

The day finally came where I had to return Alvin to his real family.
I was super bummed, but so happy I got to experience our time together.
Maybe my own little Alvin is in the future?

It's always nice to be reminded that love and learning new things are always around the corner, even in the most unexpected places. 

Thanks, little dude.

I'm in Love

Guys.
I have big news:

I'm in love with Robin Thicke.

Now I know that I'm way late on the bandwagon, but I just came out from the rock under which I've apparantly been living and saw the Blurred Lines video.

O M effing G.

List of things that Robin Thicke makes look sexy:

- Shoes with no socks
- Cigarettes
- Talking
- Whispering
- Walking
- Standing
- Snapping
- Singing
- Watches
- Eating Ice Cream
- Playing Instruments
- Teeth
- Man Jewelry
- Hair
- White Tank Tops
- Ties
- Eyebrows
- Falcetto 
- Addidas
- Pointing
- Ears
- Showers
- Sunglasses
- Goatees
- Furry Rugs
- Unbuttoned Shirts
- Belt Buckles
- Hashtags
- Breathing


Everything, ok? Everything, He makes everything look fucking amazing.
I'm overwhelmed. 


Unrelated:

I also love scones and Stephen Colbert. 
That is all. 

Oscar Wilde is my Boyfriend

Oscar Wilde is my boyfriend.

I know that he's been dead for a century, and that he was actually into dudes, but trust me - we have a thing. 

Nowhere else in literature have I read the words of someone that so strongly reverberated with me. His wit, his passion, his uniquely brilliant way of pinpointing exactly what you can't find the words to do so yourself - it's all incredible.

As a person and as an artist, I am Wildely in love. 

It's hard to say exactly when my love affair with Oscar began. - With artists for parents who both adore him, our bookshelves were always filled with various scripts, biographies and other works of his. 

Oscar's wisdom and wit have helped me through countless situations. He has taught me to love myself, to see the humor in difficult situations, to ground myself in my beliefs, and so much more.

He is my one true literary love. 

Our romance fully bloomed when I was 19 and in a production of The Importance of Being Earnest in college. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life in so many countless ways, and I owe it all to Oscar. 

For our first Christmas together, Jake got me a necklace with my initial on the front, and the back was engraved with a quote from one of the love scenes from Earnest. Cecily asks Algernon: "How do you love me?" and he replies "Wildly, Passionately, Devotedly, Hopelessly." 
Among the countless little moments that made me realize Jake was the one for me, reading this inscription was a monumental one. 

"Who, being loved, is poor?"

I am lucky enough to have, at one point or another, visited Oscar's birthplace, his childhood home, his monument in Dublin, and his grave in Paris. 

"I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best."

On our recent trip to Dublin this year, seeing all of the Wilde sights was on the top of our to-do list. 

"I can resist everything but temptation."

"A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament." 

"Art is the most intense mode of individualism the world has ever known."

Tarreyn Land and Oscar Wilde!!

"To love oneself is the beginning of a life long romance."

Through his various incarnations and emergences throughout my life, Oscar has taught me mountains about life, love and humor. He has helped me see through the irony and hypocrisy of ridiculous social expectations and situations. He has proven time and time again through both his work and his behavior in his personal life that you need to stay true to yourself, never lose your passion, and stand up for what you believe in. 
He has given me so much to think about, to aspire to, and to live by. 
He is one of the true loves of my life.

"Be your self everyone else is already taken."

An Open Thank You Note

Dear Everyone - 
Thank You.
This is a note for all the people I'll never talk to or meet or see again but who, whether they know it or not, make my life better.

To the woman who let me cut across 3 lanes of traffic during rush hour the other day. I made it to work on time because of you. It was really great. Thank you. 

Hey woman at the Khiels counter who gave me a bunch of free samples the last couple times I went to Dillards - Thank You. I'm a broke writer and can't afford the fancy skin care products I've grown accustomed to. I might seem like a mooch, but I really made the most of that face mask and eye cream you gave me. Thank you.

Thank you Babies. All babies. You make me smile and see the hope and opportunity in the world as you discover anything and everything. I love you, babies. Especially those of you who don't cry on airplanes. Thanks.


A big thanks to Spotify users. Seriously. You all keep me with more good music than I ever could hope for and you unknowingly help create the soundtrack to my life. Thank You. 

Thank you to everyone who helps my grandma in public places. She is tiny and slow and doesn't make very much sense sometimes. Thank you for helping her.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. You inspire, entertain, discipline, encourage, stimulate, impress and exhilarate me. And women everywhere. I worship you and aspire to be even an iota as amazing as you are. Thank you thank you thank you.

The busboy who gave me your phone number the other day - thank you. I'm definitely taken and not interested, but it gave me a cuteness-confidence boost and I appreciate you. 

Some more big celeb-u-thanks to Ellen DeGenerous, Tavi Gevinson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gretchen Rubin, Jenny Lewis, Jennifer Lawrence, Jon Stewart, Morrissey, Sofia Coppola, Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, and Tom Jones. You guys rock.

The people who donate awesome stuff to goodwill. I have a decent record collection, vintage dresses, and countless other things thanks to you. 

And last but not least, thank you to all the wonderful writers out there. TV writers, novelists, self-helpers, poets, comedians, bloggers everyone. You rock. Thank you.

Julia Roberts, All Time Girl Crush

Julia Roberts - 
I. Love. You.

I've been searching for the words to say this, but I'll just spit it out: You are my all time girl crush.
I've felt this way for as long as I can remember. 
I'm pretty sure you defined a majority of my developmental beliefs about feminine appeal. Watching your movies always reminds me to have fun and be myself.
That giant laugh, the huge hair that looks fabulous in any color or style, legs to kill for, I love it all. 

Your likability knows no bounds, and you are imperfectly perfect. 
I love that you can play anything from a prostitute to a hardware shop owner to a single mom. 
I love that you live in New Mexico with your cute little family and your husband of 12 years about whom you've said "I was born to be the wife of this man."
I love that you are a trailblazer - the first woman in Hollywood to make a $20 million paycheck.
I love that you get more beautiful with age and won't get botox: 'Your face tells a story and it shouldn't be a story about your drive to the doctor's office.'
I love that you are generous and notorious for being a big tipper. I just learned that you gave your produce delivery guy a $500 dollar tip to replace the AC in his car. Rad.
I love that you are a fervent democrat and that you care about charity. I think its so cool that you are Unicef's goodwill ambassador to Haiti and help with lots of causes.
I love that your joie de vivre is infectious, like in your oscar speech "I love the whole world."
I love that you never gave up on love and that you are a romantic - "True love doesn't come to you, it has to be inside of you" 
I love your megawatt smile that has been referred to as a secret weapon by directors and producers. 
I love that you're the perfect combination of glamorous and down-to-earth.
I love your chemistry with all your co-stars, and that even in awful movies you're still so likable. 
Basically, I love you... Did I mention that?

This is unexpected... but Gerard Butler, I think I love you...

Gerard Butler... I think I love you...

My feelings started Sunday night when I found myself watching Phantom of the Opera. (No judgement, please - I kind of love it...)
When you show up in your ruffled shirts and tight high-wasted pants I couldn't get enough. Maybe you couldn't hit the notes on pitch so much, but I didn't mind, you totally sold it! And a lot of the material you were given was pretty shitty so I really don't blame you. There's only so much you can do when you find yourself wearing a mask and doing things like singing on top of gargoyles and leading women down hallways on horses... And I gotta say, you seriously know how to rock a cape.
Surprised by my sudden feelings for you, the next night I decided to continue my Marathon with PS I Love You. 
Now, Gerardy, you may not know this, but I cry at everything. I've owned that movie for a year but haven't watched it for fear of crying. My fear was justified, I balled the entire time. (Jake cried a lot too. He told me not to tell you guys, but oh well.)
Gerard you were SO lovable and wonderful and I just LOVED you!

I think I do! 

I think I LOVE you, Gerard Butler! 

How did this happen?
It's really early in our relationship to say it, I've only seen a handful of your movies, but I don't care who knows. 

I love your goofy faces, and your thick Scottish accent. I love that you range from super fit to chubby-buff. I love that you supposedly cried when talking about the Phantom's loneliness to Joel Schumacher. I love that you wear leather pants. 
Your abs are literally the only thing I remember from 300.
I know your career has been, er, shall we say, lying low lately... But I love you despite all that. 
This is embarrassing, but I think I might even have to rent Dracula 2000...
Gimme a call some time and we can drink ale and sing 80's rock opera music together...


PS - I Love You... 

Smithsdom Wisdom

I'm having a love affair with Morrissey. 

He doesn't know it, and we've never met, and I'm pretty sure he's not into girls, but we are an item. 
It's kind of a one-sided relationship...
Our dates happen more or less through my headphones...
The best part of it is the wisdom he gives me. The smithsdom, if you will...


It's so easy to laugh, it's so easy to hate, it takes guts to be gentle and kind


I am human and I need to be loved, just like everybody else does.


Shyness is nice, and shyness can stop you from doing all the things in life you'd like to 


Every day is like Sunday


I would go out tonight, but I haven't got a stitch to wear


Why do I give valuable time to people who don't care if I live or die?


It's time the tale were told of how you took a child and made him old


Give in to lust, give up to lust, oh heaven knows we'll soon be dust


Does the body rule the mind, or does the mind rule the body? I dunno...


The Good life is out there somewhere


No regime can buy or sell me


How I love all of the very simple things of life 


There's always someone, somewhere, with a big nose who knows, and who trips you up and laughs when you fall


I want to live and I want to love


Life is very long when you're lonely


Hang The DJ


What's my life for?


There is a light that never goes out


The heart feels free


If you think peace is a common goal, well, that goes to show just how little you know


When you laugh about people who feel so very lonely their only desire is to die well I'm afraid it doesn't make me smile


Give yourself a break before you break down


Come out and find the one that you love and who loves you 


Every day you must say so how do I feel about my life, anything is hard to find when you will not open your eyes, when will you accept yourself?

And my personal favorite:

I love you more than life (this one he saves for our special moments together...)

Thank You, Mr. President

           What happened in the oval office this week was too awesome to ignore. In a crucial re-election stage, Barack Obama became the first ever sitting U.S. president to openly support gay marriage. It rocked. 

From Barack Obama's Instagram

If you haven't seen the video of the president's interview, check it out below:

           Obama's announcement was very important to me because I am in off-the-charts favor of Gay marriage. Every single person should be allowed the right to marry the person they love. Period. Any position other than that is driven from a place of bigotry, fear and hate. 

           I am not alone in my appreciation of our president this week. Millions of Americans across the country both gay and straight feel this is the right thing to do. Americans like Ellen DeGeneres.

           I just want to say thanks, Barack. Thank you for acknowledging that all American citizens should have equal rights. Thank you for recognizing that love and commitment know no gender, no race, no superficial restrictions. 
           Thank you for understanding that "traditional" values should consist of nothing besides equality, humanity and compassion. 
           Thank you for spreading tolerance, understanding and kindness. 
           Thank you for your ceaseless focus on what needs to be done in America.
           Thank you for your perpetual eloquence and unflinching courage in the face of innumerable critics and haters. Thank you for bringing an unprecedented amount of class and cool to the Oval Office. 

Barack On. 

Ellen DeGeneres, Can We Be Best Friends?

Dear Ms. DeGeneres, 
I. Love. You. 
I honestly think that if we spent some time together, we could be friends. Maybe, just maybe, even best friends...
           I know sometimes letters that start like this result in discomfort on a scale ranging from awkward to stalker, but trust me, this is all in a strictly super-admiring, super safe distance kinda way. 

You are the personification of fun and joy. I can't even look at you without smiling. 

You, and animals in tiny hats... 

           You are the perfect and unparalleled combination of hilarious, powerful, endearing and kind. You are such an inspiration to so many different people - I am one of them. You inspire me to be myself, to trust my instincts, to treat everyone with kindness. You motivate me to work hard, to judge less, to write, to dance unabashedly and to do hidden camera pranks with David Beckham...

I think we have a lot in common:
You love goofy dancing. I love goofy dancing. 
You love introducing people to new things. I love introducing people to new things. 
Your name is Ellen. My mom's name is Ellen!
Clearly, we are supposed to be friends. 
Also, Not to freak you out, but - I think that maybe we were connected in a past life. I can't say for sure, but I had a dream once where we were bobcat friends and that's good enough proof for me...

           I'd love to grab coffee with you some day. Or Tea. Or even just bring you some coffee or tea. My treat. 

           I've spent some time trying to figure out how to get your attention. 
I tried rapping for youtube like Sophia Grace and Rosie, but it failed. Without the tutus, cute British accents, and, well, any remote sense of rhythm or rapping skills, I quickly realized that it wasn't the way to go.

           We are both true and total life enthusiasts. And sometimes I feel like those are hard to find. That's why I love watching your show, it makes me feel joyous and connected. I love your show because gives me the courage it sometimes takes to be enthusiastic and stick to my optimistic guns. I love watching your segments because you bring so much joy to so many people. I love watching your interviews because I can tell that all of your guests are truly, genuinely enjoying themselves. You bring out the best in everyone around you, and that's what I think we should all aspire to. I tear up out of joy almost EVERY single episode! 

           If we were best friends, the possibilities would be endless. We could dance everywhere, we could jump out and scare people, you and Portia and I could hang out (added bonus - I loovvee her! You guys are so fabulous). We could bring happiness to the masses and save animals and pull pranks galore and be really cool sneaker-wearing music moguls! 

           Anyhoo, think about it. You say the word and I can get some sweet BFF necklaces made up prontolo. And if you're not ready for friendship yet, just meeting you would be rad. For now though I will be more than content letting the Ellen DeGenerated joy stream through my computer and put brightness into my days. 

Endless Thank Yous.

Your (someday) Friend,

Tarreyn

To all my readers:
There are literally COUNTLESS hilarious, inspirational, touching, entertaining videos from over the years. Every episode has something fantastic and if you're like me, you can spend hours watching clips. You can find all of these videos in Ellen's video gallery here on her website. 

Defending The Cheese In Movies (Other Working Title: Thank You, Billy Zane)

           Soo many great movies out there (and particularly many of my personal favorites) have some element of cheese in them. You know what I'm talking about when I say cheese: the obvious lines, the over-the-top declarations of love, the shecky side characters, bad hair pieces. Often times they are criticized for this, but I applaud it. I love the lame puns and awkward humor inserted into high-pressure situations. I embrace the idea that people can fall madly, passionately in love within 5 minutes. I adore characters bursting into spontaneous song or when completely improbable situations are taken very seriously. 
           But there is a fine line - some cheesy movies are just bad and cheesy and I accept that about them. What I'm talking about right now is good movies, or well done movies, or epic movies, that harbor an underlying cheese-factor. A good example is Titanic. 
           Tonight I saw Titanic in 3D, and loved every cheesy, obvious second of it. It is a great movie. A true classic, an epic piece of Hollywood awesome. What many call a masterpiece. And yet: filled with a beautiful cheesy undertone. 
           That brings me to Billy Zane. Ahhh, Billy. As Cal Hockley your faux-swanky accent, your coiffed toupee and your devilishly handsome smirk make you the perfect good-bad movie villain. As you chased Jack and Rose through the sinking ship shooting at them, I couldn't help but love you. You took horrible lines and ludicrous plot elements (i.e. that ridiculous Picasso/Monet premise. wow.) and made them enjoyable. I also liked your crooked evil friendship with your valet, Lovejoy. Well done, sir. And that's not all - as Mr. Fabian in Tombstone (another one of my beloved good/cheesy movies) you gave a (beautiful) face to the traveling actors in the late 1800s old west. And in Only You as the fake Damon Bradley, I was as ready to go to bed with you as Marisa Tomei. The quote in Zoolander is totally dead on "Listen to your friend Billy Zane. He's a cool dude." So true. I wish you were my friend. 

           Another example that proves my good + bad = fantastic theory: Any movie that involves body-swapping. Big. Freaky Friday. 17 Again.Wish Upon A Star. Prelude To A Kiss. 13 Going on 30. All Of Me. Face Off. See? All brilliant. I literally own half of those. (Full disclosure: I even kinda enjoyed The Hot Chick... no judgement.) There is something so good, yet so cheesy about the premise of switching bodies that it ends up working out amazingly! Billy Zane should make one. I would pay full, night-time, non-student, XD admission price to see it. Twice. 
           I guess what I'm saying is let's embrace the cheese. Let us not judge or scorn, but instead cherish and cultivate it. Let's suspend disbelief and slap on fake mustaches and switch bodies with our teenage selves and burst into song and fall in love in 3 seconds. Cheese does not equal bad. If done properly, it equals levity and charm within the depths of great movies. It equals perfectly implausible, entertaining supremacy. So let us appreciate cheese. Let us defend it. Let us revere the cheese for all the greatness it provides. 

A Love Letter To Stephen Colbert

Welcome back, readers! Thank you for your patience over the last week, my stint away has helped me re-boot and recharge. 

I am SO happy to be blogging again! 

Today's buzz is a letter of love to one of my all time favorites, Stephen Colbert. If you're not familiar with his amazing show, The Colbert Report, and his side projects and spin-offs, read on. And if you are, join me in my Colbert Love-Fest.

Dear Mr. Colbert, 
           While on  a recent trip to the big city, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a filming of your show. If I wasn't already completely in love with you, this sealed the deal.
           You sir, have taken modern satire to an untouchable level. All 1,000 plus episodes of The Colbert Report have been an example of not only your incomparable, biting wit but also your adept skills as a performer to create such a strongly defined character. (Yes, for anyone who's confused - it is a character. An awesome one.)
           A modern Moliere, you have rejuvenated the cultural concept of irony and satire, and taken us with you on a wild ride of hilarity and surprise. You've given truth in America a new lens, and we can't thank you enough.
           Your speech at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Dinner alone would make you a stand-out master of the verbal rapier. I'm not sure if the rumors are true or not that afterwards Laura Bush told you to go (insert something obscene here) yourself, but if so, it makes it even better. Its an example of your fearlessness and courage to take on the fact-averse Man.
           The Green Screen Challenge, Guitarmageddon, Operation Iraqi Stephen, The Colbert Christmas Special, I Am America (And So Can You!), everything you do is a satirical sucess. The KING of the running bit, you inspire, amuse, and inform with each new endeavor. With a charming wink, a subtle rib-nudge, and your now-famous eyebrow raise, you have taken on some of the biggest moral hypocracies, duplicitous figures, and astounding policies and proposals of the last 6+ years. 
           The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear not only restored my own sanity, but my overall faith in humanity. Joining forces with another intellectu-love of mine, Jon Stewart, your rally in the capitol was an amazing push to examine all sides and unheard voices of the political conversation. 

           More recently, your Super PAC has satirized the way American campaigns are financially conducted. You have shown the country how drastically election financing has changed over the last several years since corporations were given free reign to spend unlimited money for political advertising. The series of events that has ensued since the creation of the PAC have highlighted your point, and put your opposition exactly where you want them.
           At your show, I was filled with renewed hope and vigor for American politics, as well as the power of art and performance. You remind me not only that not all people are crazy, but that there is hope and strength in the form of the writer, the performer, the citizen. You ride the wave of the zeitgeist like Kelly Slater and spearhead change like a gladiator. 
           The flick of your wrist as you adjust your glasses, the way you shuffle your notes on the desk, every minute, measured mannerism sends a smirk up my cheeks and a liberal flutter through my heart. I even like you in turtlenecks... Turtlenecks! What's that about?! 
           All in all, Steve, I love you. I want to geek out with you. Let's freak out for Freedom! Let's stay strong. - Wrist Strong. Let's create truthiness. Let's say The Word. Let's give Barry Manilow a run for his money. I appreciate you and all that you do. Thank you.
           Xoxo, Tarreyn

The Power Of Jones

          As I sit here finishing off my box of olive oil & pepper triscuits, I am struck by someone staring at me from across the room. The deep chocolate brown eyes look into my soul, and I submit to them. Tom Jones… I’m yours. 
Obviously, its not the real Tom Jones (I should be so lucky!), no, it’s an old record sleeve I have propped up on a bookshelf. But a girl can dream, can’t she? 
The bell-bottoms so tight they leave nothing to the imagination, the white-boy affro your fingers would get so quickly caught in, the raw soul magnetism…

            I know it might seem strange for a modern day 24 year old girl to be obsessed with a 1970s Welsh singer, but I can’t help it. 

But, Its not unusual… 

I hear that rich velvety voice and I can’t resist being skyrocketed into a good mood! His music is the perfect blend of entertaining, melodic and fun. “Tom Jones Greatest Hits” is the album to turn to at the toughest times. Bombed a job interview? Turn on Thunderball. Just broke up with someone? Delilah is for you. Even in the depths of despair, I FIE you to turn on It’s Not Unusual and NOT tap your foot.

            Along with its instantaneous (and scientifically proven. by me.) mood-lifting components, I also happen to love listening to his music because we have a similar vocal range (insert joke about having a man-voice here) and I can sing along perfectly at full volume (my neighbors love it). 

These factors combined make me wonder if I should perhaps become a Tom Jones impersonator.

            Having had the distinct pleasure of seeing Sir Jones live in concert (one of the more amazing nights of my life, we’ll talk more about that later), I understand the command he has. If I could harness that sheer disco-country-funk-soul power, the possibilities would be endless! I could get people to throw their underpants at me! I could push middle-age women into hysteria! If I could harness the power of Tom Jones, the world would be at my feet.

            It would take some time and practice… but I could do it. The sequined shirts, the groovy back-up band, platform shoes! I already own two of those things!

            However, while I think my impression business could be destined for greatness, I think that harnessing the power of Tom Jones in your everyday life is what’s really important. Channel that pure magnetic, captivating strength! Channel that joie de vivre! The animal magnetism!

            When I saw Tom in concert, he had more energy and stage presence than most performers I’ve ever seen. And he was 69 at the time! 69! (Quote: "I remember when 69 was a good thing, baby." Oh, Jonesy.)
            The thing that was the most enjoyable to watch was how intensely he was enjoying himself. He put on a full two-hour show singing every single song and worked his ass off every second of it! 
            He made jokes, he held hands with women in the audience, his dance moves were better than ever! 
            In a particularly rousing moment during Sex Bomb, he lifted up his shirt and rubbed his hands all over his chest and (less fit than it used to be) stomach! THAT is the power of Tom Jones! THAT is what I want to connect to in my everyday life! (Maybe not the pulling up my shirt and rubbing myself thing… but the confidence, humor and excitement)

            At the show, my honey and I were sandwiched in between an interesting group. To the left - a 20-something year old Ukrainian Buddy-Holly-esque man who shouted things out like “I THINK IT IS TIME TO BE DANCING NOW!!!” (Easily one of my favorite strangers ever,) And to the right, two older women, who, having purchased every piece of merchandise from the gift shop of the MGM Grand casino (where the concert was held), generously gave us their souvenir pina colada glasses after the concert. 
            Such an eclectic little group, and I couldn’t tell who had the most fun between the five of us! 

THAT is the power of Tom Jones! 

Spreading total unadulterated joy to the masses! 

Finding what you love and making it your life! 

THAT is what I want to strive for!

I literally cannot listen to a Tom Jones song without smiling. THAT is the power of Jones. THAT is what I want to put forth into the universe. THAT is what I implore you to all to do. Bono will want to write you a song that’s even BETTER than Sugar Daddy (real song)! Sing on your way to work today! Dance on your break! Ask your coworkers “What’s new, Pussycat?” (unless you work somewhere where that could be considered sexual harassment…)! 

The power of Tom Jones is an invigorating thing. 

Boogie yourself into a new way of seeing the world. 

It IS time to be dancing now.

Looking for Jones Inspiration? - My personal Tom Jones Top 10 favorite jams (in no order)

- It’s Not Unusual

- Help Yourself

- Delilah

- Sex Bomb

- She’s a Lady

- Daughter of Darkness

- What’s New Pussycat?

- A Boy From Nowhere

- Love Me Tonight

- The Young New Mexican Puppeteer

(*All of which can be found on the album “Greatest Hits: The Platinum Edition)

Check it out for yourself!!! (And enjoy every second of it):

(From the Concert)

Have an excellent Jones-powered day! 
(I’ll let you all know if I ever decide to pursue the whole impersonator thing)