YouTube: Graduations, check!

Hey-o,

I uploaded a video of my nephew, Connor's Preschool U graduation from last Thursday. Even if you don't know the little guy, it's rather entertaining watching them in their little gowns and hats. Cale, my 2-year old nephew, appears in the end, however it is way past his bedtime, so he's rather unenthused about the whole graduation. Anyway, check it out - or just check out some other stuff I've got up on YouTube.

This is officially the last graduation of my family for the year 2011. Here's the lineup:

myself: TSU

cousin, Ashley: LCHS

cousin, Kayla: LCHS

cousin, Mitchell: SHS

nephew, Connor: Preschool U

Check out the last of 2011 graduations for the Semple family here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7_iTLk4diQ

JBA update: Kids move in tomorrow and hopefully leave cicadas outside! I intend on all hell breaking lose around 10AM when they arrive. Nice knowing you all!

Back to the Dorms

I just finished moving back into the dorms. No, I am not trying to relive my freshman year, although I would really enjoy doing such. For the next three weeks I will most likely be MIA as far as the world of blogging goes. I'll be attempting to keep 13-15 year olds entertained and alive.

Joseph Baldwin Academy is now open for business, complete with an army of cicadas that have overwhelmed campus. They're so loud, you'd think you wouldn't be able to miss one landing on you - and then BAM - it's in your face. (Happened twice today...I'm bitter and armed with bug spray.)

Well, gotta go read my handbook - need to know how to handle these little monsters...

Sunny Saturday

I love to see a Saturday come, but hate to watch it leave. Not to mention, it's absolutely b-e-a-utiful outside today. 91 and shining currently in the Burg. I've picked through my library for some Saturday jams. They're all going to give you that feel-good vibe.

Saturday in the Park - Chicago

Ahhh, who could forget the Chicago concert Jake Pavelka (The Bachelor) took Ali Fedotowsky on? Chicago was singing Saturday in the Park (in a park) as Ali and Jake landed in a helicopter and, just like in the movies, ran to the stage and began to dance. (It seemed well choreographed and rehearsed, but I believe it was spontaneous.) If this song doesn't put you in the mood to dance on a Saturday, I don't know what will.

Saturday - Fall Out Boy

This was the first song I crowd-surfed to. It actually was on a Saturday, and there was confetti falling, which made the random fondling of the crowd as I surfed less awkward and disturbing. The video is repping Illinois (map, Chicago, license plate), which is an added bonus.

Saturday Night Divas - Spice Girls

I recommend watching Spice World if you haven't recently. (And by recently, I mean this week.) Gotta love those Spice Girls. At my 11th birthday party my friends and I definitely sang the entire Spice World album on stage (my pool table). I was always Scary Spice because of my hair's inability to be tamed.

Louisiana Saturday Night - Mel McDaniel

Dance in the kitchen 'til the mornin' light. I've never been to Louisiana, but this song just sums up what I believe LA to be like. WATCH THE VIDEO - it's a cover by two Slovenian guys. It's glllllooooorrrious!

Small Town, Saturday Night - Hal Ketchum

This sums up where I grew up. Definitely paints the picture of what it's like...classic country song.

Enjoy your first Saturday in June! Maybe even check out Saturday Night Live tonight...whatever you do, do it well.

Friday

Yes-ter-day was Thurs-day. To-day it is Fri-day, Fri-day....you got it, just like you've had it all week...Friday jams below starting with my least fave.

BFS is somewhat old school. (Where have they been?) Anyway, they've got the right idea about days not feeling right sometimes. No official music vid.

Friday - Bowling for Soup

This song came off Girl Talk's album All Day. It's a pretty sweet mash up - no real substance as far as lyrics or a "plot" for a song - but it's a good jam. Here's a video from icutpeople.com (interesting, i know)...

Friday Night - Girl Talk

I'm digging this song lately. I listen to it on.....(every)day. This is NOT the official video at all, however I really enjoy this chica's version. Reminds me of numerous videos my wacky friends and I have created.

Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) - Katy Perry

And for this post's grand finale....if you haven't yet checked this video out, it's a must. And, don't act like you hate it. Sorry if you lose your hearing in the middle of this song...or your sight. Blame Black.

Friday - Rebecca Black

Check you tomorrow for the best day of the week!

Thirsty Thursday

I was fortunate to find a decent Thursday song to fill in the gap in my music library. The music video is kind of retro, and worth a watch. Happy Thursday!

Thursday - Asobi Seksu

PS Tomorrow's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday...

Wednesday

I'm a day late, but I came to Wednesday...I have zero songs in my music library for Wednesday or Thursday. Neither of those days is necessarily a favorite of mine, but I felt it wasn't fair to leave them out.

When checking iTunes for a Wednesday song, the most popular one is by Tori Amos, and I wasn't impressed, therefore my library will remain Wednesday-less.

However, I found a sweet pop-up book representation of Tori Amos - Wednesday on YouTube. Check it out!

Tellmeaboutit Tuesday

What a terrific Tuesday for tunes...just a few, though. Check these out to put you in a TUESriffic mood.

C U Next Tuesday - Ke$ha

Tuesday's Gone - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Ruby Tuesday - The Rolling Stones

See you tomorrow for Wacky Wednesday!

Memorial Monday

On this Memorial Monday, I tell no lies, the song selection was weak. But quickly, here's what I've got on hand for that "case of the Mondays" (in order of most depressing to least).

Blue Monday - White Lion

This song begins with some amazingly whiney blues guitar, and ends with even whinier blues guitar. Do not listen to this song unless you want to cry on the way to work. It's so depressing, they didn't even add lyrics.

Monday, Monday - The Mamas & The Papas

Everyone's heard this little ditty from the city. If you haven't, your parents probably weren't hippies. Pretty depressing...

It Sure Is Monday - Mark Chestnutt

Upbeat instrumentation, but don't let it fool ya. This song reminds you that the week is just starting and your weekend, however fun, is now OVER. Slightly depressing...

Come Monday - Jimmy Buffett

A pretty laid back Jimmy love song. It's not depressing as many Monday songs are...but be warned, it could put you to sleep.

So basically, Monday is just a filler day. Do not listen to Monday songs unless you wish to be depressed, and who wants that? Come back tomorrow...you've gotta love a solid Tuesday...that's why they named a restaurant after it.

Sunday Funday

It doesn't feel like a Sunday to me. Whenever I'm feeling "off" on my day of the week, I like to listen to a song that has the name of the day in the title. Maybe it's a reverse psychology game I'm trying to pull - who knows?

I decided to check out my music library for songs with days of the week in their title, and this is what I've found for Sunday, in descending order of my play count.

11. Sunday Morning Coming Down - Johnny Cash

There's talk of beer for breakfast in this one...honestly, worth a listen. Just once - this was the first time I had the pleasure of listening to it., and probably the last.

10. Sunday Will Never Be the Same - Spanky & Our Gang

Off of a "Free & Easy Hits of the 60s" CD, thanks to my mom. This one's definitely got that hippie vibe - makes you feel groovy. :)

9. Sunday In the South - Shenandoah

This is an old school country song. I only have it because my brother forced me to download a few CDs worth of country that was popular before I, my parents, and possibly even grandparents were even thought of.

8. Put On Your Sunday Clothes - Barbara Streisand

This is a classic song from the musical, Hello Dolly. Great show, great song. Go Barbara.

7. Sunday Warning - Motion City Soundtrack

I honestly hadn't listened to this song before doing my Sunday Funday research. It's a decent punk rock song, but avoid it if you hate whiney, desperate punk boys screaming.

6. Sunday Afternoon - Lucky Boys Confusion

This is a great chillout song. Poolside, beverage in hand...the reggae really gives it a beachy, summer feel.

5. That's What I Love About Sunday - Craig Morgan

Craig Morgan really sums up what Sundays are all about with this one. Solid country song. It's a little churchy for my liking, but that's most country for ya.

4. Sunday Morning - No Doubt

I really enjoy No Doubt in general, although I haven't followed the band since Tragic Kingdom.

This is a pretty good song - catchy, with attitude.

3. Raining On Sunday - Keith Urban

This song is somewhat somber and depressing, but it's well written and Keith Urban has a sexy voice to bring it all together.

2. Sunday Morning - Maroon 5

Yet, another song about some rain on a Sunday, but this one's more upbeat than Keith's. Maroon 5 has the unique voice of Adam Levine to bring in the ladies. He can sing about any day of the week, as far as I'm concerned.

1. Sunday Best - Augustana

I love anything Augustana comes out with. This song is my #1 Sunday Funday song for numerous reasons - it's chill, soothing, has awesome vocals (per usual), and great guitar and piano, not to mention the lyrics get you every time. I would classify this as a "panty dropper".

Hopefully you'll come back tomorrow for some Monday Pick-Me-Ups, although most of the songs about Mondays were written for the Debbie Downers of the world. I'll try to throw in some humorous commentary to turn those Negative Nancies to Positive Poll(ie)s.

Have a happy Sunday!

Another Day, Another Song

*long stretch* Cue Learning to Love - White Noise Mashups

Wow, it's been a while. Sorry, guys. I have abandoned you. However, for good reason. School and blogging apparently didn't create good chemistry this past semester. To update all five of my blog readers, I recently graduated from Truman State University with a BFA in Visual Communication.

What is that you ask? Graphic design.

What do I want to do? *long pause* I don't know yet. Something crazy, probably not involving graphic design...twas fun while it lasted, though! For those that know me, you know I'm entirely too spontaneous to stay in one field of study for too long...as Jay-Z says, on to the next one!

I've been home long enough (2 weeks) to realize that I need to get out. (No offense, mom or dad, who probably won't read this.) My definition of "get out" is not moving out and down the street. I have plans to leave the Prairie State and head south. Or north. Heck, east or west would be just fine, too. The only thing standing between this moment and my move from the Land of Lincoln is student precepting for JBA. What is JBA? Joseph Baldwin Academy. I could explain, but you can more easily click here for the deets if interested.

Lastly, for today's post, I will explain the reason for my blog name. My last name is Semple, and I like to simplify. Justin Timberlake did it....I can, too. No, I didn't write an album of FutureSex LoveSounds...but I religiously listen to it, and would love to share the "sexy time" playlist I created after hearing his album. Oh, fair warning: you'll find that I will mainly blog about music in this blog. For those of you that enjoy amazing music, lyrical commentary and good beats in general, just stop on by for a semplefied dose of musica.

Until next time...