Update on the Christmas Tree Situation......

#nothappycal

This would definitely be a lot sadder if it weren't a regular occurrence. Toddlers and Christmas trees aren't a great combo, and at our house it's two against one, so the tree doesn't stand a chance. I'm not looking for a solution. You should know that I'm way, WAYYYYY over the baby gate.....that was so three kids ago; much more hassle than it's actually worth. Besides, now my kids can redecorate the tree every day until Christmas, like a twisted advent.......yeah, that's it! "Come on kids! We only have to redecorate the tree four more times 'til Christmas!"  I'm horrible, haha. But maybe it's a good thing that I've completely surrendered, and now find this hilarious. I will never have a "Better Homes and Gardens" worthy Christmas tree. Oh well, there are bigger fish to fry. Like my choice of Christmas albums this year...

I picked Nathan Pacheco's O Holy Night, and it's.......meh. There's nothing wrong with it, it's not like I hate it, or can't listen to it. But there's nothing to make it stand out in a crowd either. The whole reason I picked it in the first place was because I heard Nathan Pacheco perform at Time Out For Women this year. He sang Italian love songs and they were A-MAZING! Now, I'm not typically one for love songs. For me they are in the same league as most chick flicks....meaning they are so cheesy/sappy they make me roll my eyes and gag. BUT when they're sung in Italian, you can't tell what's being said. All you hear is someone's beautiful voice with no comprehensible cheese. And THAT is my kind of love song. :)

Anyways, so I got Nathan Pacheco's Christmas album solely based on the fact that he wooed me with Italian love songs. There are two Italian Christmas carols on the album, and they are good. Nathan has a good voice, but he never does anything over-the-top amazing with it. I prefer Clay Aiken, or Brian Stokes Mitchel, or Michael Buble's voice over his. Nathan's album has some good instrumental accompaniment, but I prefer Jenny Oaks Baker, or The Piano Guys, or Kenny G, or Michael Dowdle if I'm in a peaceful instrumental mood. And if I'm in a fun, dancing-in-the-kitchen, driving-around-in-the-car mood I'd rather listen to Transiberian Orchestra, Manheim Steamroller, or Pentatonix. If I'm feeling slightly edgy but still Christmasy, I turn on Mercy Me or Shedaisy. A couple of my most favorite Christmas songs that don't really have a category: God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman by Barenaked Ladies (I've never even heard any of their other Christmas songs, but this one is at the top of my list every year.), and O Come O Come Emmanuel by Sugarland. (I have heard their other Christmas stuff, and do not care for it, it's too twangy, but this one song is phenomenal, and also at the top of my list every year.) So what category do I put Nathan? Hmmmm......it's tough. But I think I got it. He belongs in background music, with Enya and MoTab, the stuff that's reverent and peaceful enough to talk over at dinner, but familiar and warm, still creating the Christmas atmosphere, but not meant to be noticed really, or sung-along to.

And there you have it. Christmas music breakdown according to Krystal. I've been told I have a VERY picky taste in music. I do not deny it. And I also have very little patience for Christmas music (or any music) that I don't like. FM100 makes me want to vomit. Anything by Michael McLean? Nope, nope, nope. I've heard him speak a few times. I can't stomach his obnoxious flare for the dramatic. Aren't you glad you know that about me?! Hahaha!

Oh! Here's a song that's intriguing me this year.....I can't quite decide if I like it or not, but it's compelling, and Pentatonix's version of it is mesmerizing.

Hallelujah
Jeff Buckley

Well I heard there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
Well it goes like this: the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah [x4]

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to her kitchen chair
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah [x4]

Baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor (you know)
I used to live alone before I knew you
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
And love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah [x4]

There was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me, do you?
But remember when I moved in you
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah [x4]

Maybe there's a God above
All I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah [x13] 

The poet in me wants to sit down and analyze it; to wring the explanation out of it like so much water in a wash cloth. This is deep, but it's meaning is escaping me. But the Old Testament references draw me in. Even more interesting to me, the song writer is Jewish, and apparently someone out there has taken this song and changed the lyrics to make a Christmas version that talks about the birth of the Savior. Which I think could be equally as awesome and meaningful. Of course, plenty of "people" our there are up in arms about it. I have not heard the new version, but I'd like to.