SAM-oa

Sweet Wesley Willis... I just received 3 bangin' CDs from my friend Sam. And they actually went to Samoa (I saw the postal stamps), and then got forwarded to my address here. Only 6 months later...

I also forgot to mention that Sam gets extra points because he kept me in touch with my Texan heritage while I was abroad: see his blog.
I got to meet up with him, his girlfriend Allison, and his brother Mac at ACL, and I can't really remember the last time I've laughed so hard. Good kids.

CD1 (sam's faves): Broken Social Scene- Looks Just like the Sun. I listened to so much BSS (and by so much I mean 2 songs on repeat) back in Samoa. This song woulda topped the chart. (Honorable mention: Pants pants pants- Sensible Gangsta)

CD2 (music everyone loves): Spoon-Stay Don't Go. This one makes me my body involuntarily spasm in a way that it kinda turns into a funky dance. Those are my favorite kinds of songs.

CD3 (study tunage): Malaria Codes- Octopus Project (can't find a link) This is another song that just compels me to dance. It seems like that's really the only way I judge music nowadays.

Sam, as you may or may not be the only one reading this-- here's that clip I was trying to get you to watch:

Did you send me mail?

As warned, the mail system is very unpredictable in the South Pacific.

"I'm fairly certain that the post office may have tried to use the pony express...which could be a problem because the pacific ocean is a long way for a horse to swim."
-a friend who tried to send mail

I received mail from Brian (who I forgot to mention before, and note that my favorite track from the CD was "Vapor" by Soulive), Lisa, Lauren, and a package with a fresh white shirt from my Dad and Step-mom. Again, you guys rule.

But then I had 2 friends who I know sent CDs, but I never received them. But they're still getting kickass souvenirs. Long story short, if you sent me anything and I didn't receive it, I appreciate the thought... so please send me your mailing address so I can give you a study-abroad-blog-party favor!

mandy.mantzel@gmail.com

Woop woop! We have a winner!!

I just received CDs from two people who decided to take me up on "the offer you cannot refuse", and they've made my week. Lauren and Lisa take the grand prize!! You guys have no idea how happy I was to receive those... and how jealous I made all the other SIT kids in my group (BOOOHAHAHA)

Favorite Tracks...
From Lisa's: "Herbs, Good Hygiene, and Socks" -Lovage
From Lauren's: "Quit Playing Games" - Backstreet Boys (And no. I'm not afraid to admit it!)

Thank you guys again! And anyone else who hasn't done so yet, get on it!

Let's say, if I can get 10 CDs, I will post pictures of my armpits when they're in more of a "Zoolander"phase than "Don King".

(I also hope that by this point my professors/former employers/important people either have a good sense of humor, or have stopped reading my increasingly vulgar blog altogether)

An offer you cannot refuse

I am having SERIOUS music withdrawals. The computers here won't play mp3s, so I will travel to American Samoa this Thursday where I'll probably purchase a CD player. Right now I have a single CD (from Ron Artis's family band in Hawaii) that can hold me for a little while, but I'd really like some fresh tunes.

So here's my plea to you (yes, you! the person who visits my blog but probably never comments!):
If you send me a mixed CD, I will mail you a souvenir (or hand it to you, depending on our geographic distance) as soon as I return.

Mandy Mantzel c/o S.I.T.
P.O. Box 9268
Apia, Samoa (Western Samoa)
South Pacific

I probably won't be able to receive any packages, but if you slip the CD into an envelope and mail that way, I'll get it sooner.

I would be thrilled to hear any music that you like, or things that you've been listening to.

But if you're at an absolute loss for things to put on the CD and/or you have a free music downloading service, here's some songs that I happen to like:

Puh-puh-puhleaze?