I’ve been going back and forth on bringing back Friday Faves. Am I ready? What if I do it this Friday and not next Friday? I mean, do I even have any readers left besides my mother?
Then I thought, if you write it, they will come.
So I fooled around on Facebook for a while (yes, those games I used to think were stupid are highly addictive and somewhat entertaining), scoped out Thursday’s online deals, goofed around on Twitter, played some more Facebook games (The wheat needed to be harvested). And here I am, staring at my computer screen thinking of all the great things I read, saw, and experienced this week.
How could I keep all this awesomeness to myself? Why, that would be selfish! I don’t know what’s going to happen next week or the week after or the week after, but I’m sure God does. I’ll keep the future rightly in His hands and focus on the matter at hand—this week’s Friday Faves.
I seem to listen to a lot of music or read a lot of books—not usually at the same time, though occasionally my loves do intermingle. Currently, I’m in a music phase and with so many exciting things happening in the industry (like the GRAMMY Award Nominations…congrats, everyone!), there is much to share.
*I can’t stop singing “Snow Globe” by Matt Wertz, even though I don’t know all (or most) of the lyrics. Mostly, I just prance around singing, “Sometimes I wish I lived in snow globe,” mumble, and then pick it up again on the “la-la’s.” Therefore, I need to share this song with y’all. And, as luck would have it, Matt Wertz was kind enough to make an enchanting music video for us to enjoy together. (Amy’s note: Matt Wertz must be very secure in his masculinity to wear long-johns in that video!)
I always wished I lived in a snow globe, and I’m glad I’m not alone. I’m sure someone’s going to form a Facebook group about this very topic, and I’ll probably join in. But under no circumstances will I be appearing in any music videos in my PJ’s. Some things are just private, know what I’m saying? You’ve got to be a good friend or family member to see me in my scrubby night duds.
For a limited time, you can download “Snow Globe” along with his album 23 Places FOR FREE on NoiseTrade: GO DOWNLOAD IT!!! And while you’re out there LEGALLY downloading music, hop over to your fave music buying site, and check out Matt’s brand spankin’ new-this-year Christmas album called…wait for it…SNOW GLOBE!!! I only wish the album came with a FREE Matt Wertz snow globe.
But, wait, you can head over to Matt Wertz’s website and get your very own snow globe necklace for $40, complete with an 18” sterling silver chain. Cute idea, but kind of pricey, especially since I have to assemble the mini-snow globe myself AAAND I prefer 22” chains. Now you know what to get for the person who has everything—a snow globe necklace!
Only 5 BUCKS, baby! Like dollars, not male deer!
*While we’re on the topic of legally purchasing music…have you checked out some of the $5 digital music downloads on Amazon lately? The “regular” album choices for December are pretty paltry, but the special Christmas music section is great! For ONLY five dollars, you can treat yourself to some of my favorite albums including Christmas Spirits by Straight No Chaser, Wintersong by Sarah MacLachlan, A Very Merry Christmas by Dave Barnes, Christmas by Rebecca St. James (which I got as a Christmas present in 1997. I love this album!), and one of my most loved Christmas albums, Let It Snow Baby… Let It Reindeer by Relient K. Since I already own this great music, I’m thinking of purchasing Mindy Smith’s My Holiday–what do you think?
Jillian Edwards = one of the many reasons I love Noise Trade!
*NoiseTrade co-founder Derek Webb (he sings, too!) wrote a tantalizing post this week about why he’d rather give his music away for free than allowing it to be streamed on Spotify. Check out, “Giving It Away: How Free Music Makes More Than Sense.” I’m a habitual NoiseTrade download junkie. I mean, what won’t I do for free music? Plus, I can discover amazing musicians without feeling pressured by a publicist. (Darn my people-pleasing tendencies!) In fact, I recently discovered Jillian Edwards on NoiseTrade, and I think you’ll love her!
I might wear Long-johns in a music video for a Kindle Fire…
*Because we’re all about the free, I mean, all about the music, I want to you how to get FREE MUSIC from Plumb! Ever since Plumb released her first album when I was in high school, I’ve adored her and her music. Well, you can download TWO Christmas songs when you like Plumb on Facebook, and then if you tell your friends about Plumb’s awesomeness, I mean, her music (and how could you not?), then you will be entered to win some cool prizes like a Kindle Fire (drool!), an iPod shuffle, Plumb-y gear, or a personalized profile pic of Tiffany holding a sign thanking you!!! (I want one of her thanking me while wearing the wings she wore while singing “Send Angels” at Creation ’97!) Now I’ll refrain from entering this contest (probably) because I’ll blow you all out of the water with my gazillion Facebook friends. I mean, it wouldn’t even a fair contest. But I really, really, really want a pretty Kindle Fire, uh, I mean, the other prizes that aren’t a Kindle Fire. Love, I mean, like Plumb on Facebook, download the songs (Plumb’s version of “What Child Is This” gave me chills. Beautiful), and WIN [me a Kindle Fire]!
Wowser! If I didn’t already own one of these…
*You know what makes a great Christmas present? Jason Gray’s latest album, A Way to See in the Dark!!! Know what makes it better? If Jason Gray personally autographed it! Know what makes ME the best ever?! I’m giving away a copy of that very autographed album for FREE!!! All you have to do is enter! Deets here. You know you want to enter!
Welcome back, Friday Favers! Hmm….we need to work on a better name for you guys.
Who wouldn’t want to go sledding with an eReader?
Amy’s Update: I just learned about another great deal…a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble for only $15 at SaveMore.com (This is my unique referral linkage, BTW. I get $5 for every new person who signs up!) Because I’m a first-time user, I got a $10 sign-up bonus, meaning that I can get my gift card for $5 (I think). If not, I’m totally getting those Fandango tix (two tickets for $12, or rather $2 with my $10 bonus. Woot! I can see Breaking Dawn in theaters. I mean, a mature adult movie that doesn’t involve werewolves and vampires. Actually, your credit can only be applied to certain purchases and Fandango is not one of them. Boo-hoo). And in case you didn’t know, Barnes & Noble dot com has WAY cheaper books and like Amazon, they offer free shipping when on spends $25 or more. (I like to check out the after-Christmas sales at B&N to get pretty journals so I can write down my most private thoughts) Do the deal! (Take note that your gift card won’t be available until 12/12 or 12/13.)
Be honest–do you ever wish you lived in a snow globe? Do you ever think you *do* live in a snow globe? (If so, I have a counseling degree; I can help you. Or at least run the peer support group!) Would you wear an adult onesie in public, even if you were a TOTALLY famous musician like Matt Wertz? Do you want to win a Kindle Fire? Do you want to win ME a Kindle Fire? Isn’t Plumb a fantastic dresser? (If I dressed like her, I’d just look silly.) Do you use Spotify? NoiseTrade? Buy a $5 Amazon album? Breathe? How is your Christmas shopping going thus far? Are you thinking about getting a snow globe necklace for anyone on your list?
She is Beloved 
1) YAY for the return of Friday Faves!
2) I thought I wanted to live in a snow globe… until my sister reminded me about that Pixar short with the snow man trying to escape his. Yeahhhhhh…. this Florida girl would die.
3) No adult onesies. I wish I could dress like Plumb though. She’s rad.
4) I use Spotify and Noisetrade for different reasons. Spotify is good if I want to preview albums or listen to classics I missed and don’t necessarily want to own. But as a personal rule, I refuse to pay for Spotify…. I’d rather keep my 10 bucks a month, deal with ads, and use that money to support artists I actually care about.
5) $5 Amazon albums, however, are my vice.
PS: I will gladly do a Friday Fave again if you need it! 😉