2011 in Review: Top 10 Songs

This has always been my favourite list to compile.  I love music.  I have a passion for it.  I may not be able to play an instrument (or Rockband) but I have a respect for musicians who can release fantastic music.

Nonetheless, here are the top 10 songs of the year (in my mind):

10. Zombie Song - Stephanie Mabey
9. End of Line - Daft Punk
8. The Cello Song - Steven Sharp Nelson
7. Rescue - Tyler Ward
6. Perfect - Jake Coco & Julia Sheer
5. Michael Meets Mozart - Jon Schmidt
4. Party Rock Anthem (Tyler Ward Version) - Tyler Ward & Crew
3. I Do - Colbie Caillat
2. Raise Your Glass - P!nk
1. Heartbroken - Meaghan Smith

Late Editions:
Into the Black - Jessica Ketola (the violin player is a colleague of mine, Stephanie Varriano)
Little Ukelele - Harry Manx & Kevin Breit

2011 in Review: Top 5 Books

These would be my top 5 books for the year.  Please do know that they are not books released in 2011, I just got around to reading them in 2011.

5. C.S. Lewis - Chronicles of Narnia (Whole Series)
4. Michael Coren - Why Catholics Are Right
3. James Ferrell - The Holy Secret
2. Armand Nicholi - The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life
1. Pema Chodron - Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion

One late edition to add to the list:
Jean Swanson - Poor Bashing: The Politics of Exclusion

2011 in Review: Top 10 Posts (Most Read)

I must, first and foremost, say thank you to all of my readers for making my blog such a success.  For the past six months, I have been averaging 75-100 views per day! That's  remarkable!  Thank you so very very much!!

The most viewed posts of this year are:

10. I Recommend: Julia Sheer, Jodi King, Sierra Noble, and Stephanie Mabey
9. Helpful Financial Websites
8. Differences Between Social Work & Family Social Sciences
7. Top 100 Graduates from the Faculty of Human Ecology/Home Economics
6. Understanding Why Your Child May Be Impatient
5. Essential Fathers, First Post (I should mention this project is now defunct and a part of www.parentsareimportant.com)
4. PowerSmart - "Two Chickens to Paralyze" - Without Electricity There Would Be No Internet
3. Transition to Fatherhood Course Post-Test Results
2. Lindsey Stirling has released an Album!

and..... The number one post for 2011 is....

1. Autism and the Family

Christmas on Youtube

Here are some of my FAV Christmas songs this year.  Try clicking the snowflake button for some added special effects!

Carol of the Bells (for 12 cellos) - Steven Sharp Nelson



Sean Quigley - Little Drummer Boy



Lindsey Stirling - Celtic Carol



Meaghan Smith - Silver Bells

Carols for the Psychologically Challenged

A colleague sent me this.  Thought it was hilarious and a must share!  These are the carols for the "psychologically challenged". Enjoy.

1. SCHIZOPHRENIA: -- Do You Hear What We Hear?

2. AMNESIA -- I Don't Know If I'll Be Home for Christmas.

3. NARCISSIST -- Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me. 

4. MANIC -- Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and   Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and Fire Hydrants, and…

5. MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER -- We Three Queens Disoriented Are

6. PARANOID --- Santa Claus Is Coming To Get Me.

7.  BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER -- Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire.

8.  FULL PERSONALITY DISORDER -- You Better Watch Out! I'm Gonna Cry; I'm Gonna Pout! Maybe I'll Tell You Why.

9.  OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER -- Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,

10. AGORAPHOBIA -- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, But Wouldn't Leave My House.

11. SENILE DEMENTIA -- Walking in a Winter Wonderland -- Miles from My House in My Slippers and Pyjamas

12. OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANCE DISORDER -- I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus So I Burned Down the House.

13. SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER -- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, While I Sit Here and Hyperventilate.

14. ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER -- We Wish You a  Hey Look!!!   It's Snowing!!!  


Have a great Christmas!

Finding the courage within

I recently had a group discussion around the word courage, and what it means to be courageous. However, I sometimes think we look to the extremes and too far into history to be able to recognize courageous behaviour and actions in our own lives.

When talking about courage we usually hear of the story of David and Goliath, among other biblical stories, and also someone like Columbus sailing across the sea. These are valid examples of courage; however, they are sometimes disconnected from us, that is it is hard to have those stories resonate inside and for us to relate to.

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Read the rest at the News Optimist.

Cello Wars