Day 5: They're Everywhere!

So I was just reading Entertainment Weekly, and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, Nickelback pops up on an advertisement page! It has a lovely photo of them, and says, "Grammy-nominated and Billboard Magazine's group of the decade..." Excuse me?! "Group of the Decade?!" Billboard Magazine, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? Even if I did have a desire to read that magazine before, I certainly don't now. Oh, also, Nickelback is extending their Dark Horse World Tour (named because apparently they are dreary cowboys), which kicks off April 6 in Ontario and ends in British Columbia. I'd mention something about how they're contaminating our lovable neighbors to the north, but I found out yesterday that they're actually FROM Canada. So it's the other way around. Oh, and tickets are on sale now, so maybe I'll spend a gazillion dollars and go make a show of gouging my ear drums out in the front row.

Speaking of the Grammy Awards, I'm watching them. It might be cheating a little, but my sister told me Bon Jovi was playing, and I couldn't resist. Part of "Livin' on a Prayer" played at the hockey game last night, and they shut it off before the chorus. Such a horrible tease, seeing as how it's one of my favorite songs of all time. So anyway, Bon Jovi played it on the Grammys! But they only played part of it, and some woman who sounded like a man sang with them. Ew. Anyway, it was enough music for me. Plus, I wanted to see how Lady Gaga looked so I could laugh my head off.

Oh, and a spout of bad news, turns out that concert I was so excited for is in Eau Claire. The last time I was in Eau Claire, I got lost on County Road K for an hour and a half. So we'll see about that.

And I don't know if this Nickelback stuff is just really negatively affecting my mood, but my sister just told me about this fantastic sneak-peek of the new episode of LOST, and my computer won't let me watch it! I want to swear at it and chuck it against the wall, I'm so mad! And that's either because I'm far too obsessed with LOST, or I've about had it already...

Until next time, assuming I don't put the CD in my laptop's disc drive and throw them both into the garbage dump next door...

Day 4: It Was the Worst of Days, It Was the BEST of Days!

So day four didn't go so hot. Maybe it was a combination of the fact that I was starving after working all morning and got irritated, or perhaps it was frustration due to all of the sugar in the entire bag of strawberry licorice I ate, but either way, I got real sick of that CD. My body felt strange, like I was nervous or about to explode or something. Like strange jitters inside my chest. I wanted nothing more than to take that CD out, break it in half, spit on it, and throw it on the ground. BUT I DIDN'T! Because I'm strong...or so I think. It's only the fourth day of this venture, after all.

I went to the hockey game tonight, hoping to hear some pop tunes, even the terrifying Lady Gaga, for crying out loud. But most of the songs were oldies, or 80s rock, like AC/DC, who I also hate, but is very much preferable to my current soundtrack. Anyway, at the game, my friend, Skye, asked if going to concerts was against the rules. I said it wasn't. Before you think I'm a fraud, hear me out.

Concerts may be my favorite thing in the whole wide world, and not many of my favorite bands come very close to here. So when there is a concert, which is pretty much once every six months, and I know about it, I feel obligated to go. Plus, it will help me to keep my sanity.

So one of my favorite bands, Run Kid Run, is playing in Menominee in February. She and my sister were going to take me there for my birthday. Skye spoiled it. But it's only because she realized she won't be able to go, since it's on spring break. Anyway, I'm going to this concert, because I need to. My health is begging me to go. And we'll be listening to Nickelback the whole way there. I am fully convinced this will be the best concert ever. I've seen this band four times, but I'm certain this will be the most glorious of them all.

So go ahead, call me a fraud or a disappointment. I call it not ripping someone's arms off.

Day 3: Let's Focus on the Positive

Not about Nickelback. Because, as far as I can tell so far, there's nothing positive about them. Their music is laughable at best, and at worst, comparable to a 500 year old cockroach clicking around on it's back on your kitchen floor in a pile of Corn Flakes.

Anyway, the positive thing is that I got to go to work tonight and listen to REAL music on the radio. Ok, depending on what your definition of real music is. Right now, my definition of real music is anything other than the N word.

See, I used to really like the All American Rejects. And then their song, "Gives You Hell" came out, and I really hated it. But tonight it sounded incredible! I started hearing things I never heard before, like how good the part that says, "Truth be told I miss you" sounds. Tyson Ritter's voice actually sounds really good. See what kind of effect Nickelback can have? It's kind of nice. Then this rocking, dancing, hip hoppin' Jay Sean song came on and all I wanted to do was boogie down. It's great. I'm really starting to appreciate anything else, which is nice. A lesson in acceptance is always good.

On a negative note, my pants ripped during work. Right near the butt, and no one could see anything, but it was quite breezy. I blame it on Nickelback. OK, that might sound a little far-fetched, but they're starting to affect the way I move. It's making my movements angry and fierce and tense and all wrong.

And on a note that is in no way related to Nickelback, I saw the thinnest semi-truck ever. It was just this line down the middle, with all this open space of trailer on either side. It was a Verizon truck, and on the side, it said "The Marquette Verizon has Moved." I thought this was very strange, seeing as most trucks would just say Verizon. But this one was personalized. I don't know what that means in relation to my new, likable-music-fasting life, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

Day 2: I Love the Sound of Nickelback in the Morning...

Today I got into my car at 8:40 a.m. and heard some growling coming through the speakers. Their music fills my head, even when I'm not listening to it. It's like I have permanent headphones stuck inside my ears that play Silver Side Up on a loop.

Today I found my favorite lyrics:

Father's a name you haven't earned yet
You're just a child with a temper
Haven't you heard "don't hit a lady"
Kickin' your ass would be a pleasure

The incredible talent of these songwriters amazes me.

Today I blared the Nickelback while I was washing dishes. I wasn't distracted enough to stab myself with a knife or anything. I was pretty distracted, though, listening for terrible lyrics. That's my new project. Finding the worst lyrics ever. I think I can do it.

Also, I found out that when I downloaded the CD, it came with cover art. So now instead of just listening to Nickelback, I can stare at them. Just what I've always wanted.

I'm a little afraid I didn't pick the worst CD by them. I remember several of the songs from when they constantly played on the radio when I was about twelve. The CD with "Photograph" might have been worse. I feel like if I'm going to do it, I may as well go all out. I'm sure this CD will get pretty terrible soon enough. I might just download "Photograph" for my ring tone. That'll always work.

I haven't listened to the entire CD yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I have a ten minute drive to work tomorrow, which should finish me up with the final two songs.

Stay tuned for more.

Day 1: What Am I Doing?!

I'm currently downloading the first Nickelback album, Silver Side Up, off of iTunes. I can feel my stomach churning already, just looking at the cover. And it doesn't help that the first sentence of the iTunes review is, "'Never Again' kicks off a dark album that coincidentally came out of a dark day." Can I really get through the day with this depressing music?

Wish me luck.

Wait!!! There's been an error! iTunes can't download the whole CD! Something about disconnection issues. Maybe it's a sign!

It wasn't a sign. They all downloaded. Here it goes...

The Challenge: Vital Information

I've decided to do something very dangerous. Ok, so maybe it's not that dangerous, but it can't be very healthy for my mental state. See, I'm really picky when it comes to music. I listen to a very select number of bands, and everything else sucks. That's my theory on most days. I love Anberlin, Alkaline Trio, Taking Back Sunday, and other bands that, I guess, would be called alternative. I listen to more mainstream stuff too, like The Fray and Akon (he's my dish-washing music). But my most hated band in the world is Nickelback. I shudder just thinking of the next three months.

I've decided to listen to nothing but Nickelback until April. When I'm in my car, I must listen to Nickelback. When I work out...Nickelback. When I'm washing my dishes...you guessed it... Nickelback. There are a few exceptions. When I'm at work, I can listen to whatever is playing on the radio. When I'm in someone else's car, I can listen to what they're listening to. But mostly, it'll be Nickelback and only Nickelback for quite some time. And I can't just sit in silence, either, which I'm sure would be much more appealing. Oh, and by the way, I'm only listening to one CD.

I'm staring this challenge on Wednesday, January 27, 2010. D-Day. I'm currently on a music binge. Yesterday, I listened to "Paperthin Hymn" by Anberlin three times in a row. The other day, I rocked out to "Fin" by Anberlin with my headphones on, in the middle of West Science. You have no idea how incredible good music sounds when you're about to give it up.

So, here goes nothing. I'll be listening to music non-stop until Wednesday.