Europe Stole My Abs

Hello, yes, I'm still doing this.
I was just off casually galavanting the globe for a bit but I'm back now so you can wipe away those tears.

My dad and I visited England, Spain and Italy and it was awesome! Got to see some stunning things, meet my dad's family and ate a lot.

But y'all: something awful happened. I don't know exactly when it happened, if it was when I was busy ordering gelato or when I was distracted by the bread I was shoving in my face. But I'm quite sure someone surgically removed my abs. Like... they just aren't there anymore. They're gone. I tried to do sit ups yesterday and I physically 👏 could 👏 not. I'm just walking around ab-less. It's actually kind of a miracle. I'll be featured in medical textbooks soon, you'll see. #claimtofame


The First: Coming Home by Keith Urban ft. Julia Michaels

Gotta listen past those first few bars otherwise you'll think it's a slow song and I get it: there's no place for that on a Friday. But spoilers it's got some pep. Keith's got a new album and I have to say - it's decent. Another album favourite is Texas Time, in case you've got the (texas) time to listen.

The Second: No One Needs To Know by Shania Twain

Just gonna get out ahead of this one before anyone says anything sassy: I know this isn't a new song. But CMF isn't just a place for new country music so shhh... Shania came on the radio the other day and who can honestly compete with Shania in her hayday?? Shano one. (I'm so sorry. I already regret typing that.)

The Third and Final: Beautiful Crazy by Luke Combs

Welp. He's no one hit wonder and this proves it. Will he regret the random selfie dialogue at the beginning? Probably. But I ate nothing but bread and gelato for three weeks straight so we've all made choices in 2018 that we probably wish we could reverse.


I'm off to celebrate two friends tying the knot this weekend and so looking forward to it! Hope you've got fun plans on deck for yours too!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Summer Storms and Soggy Bottoms

Happy August!!

I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend! As much as I would have liked to spend all of mine out on the beach, I only visited it for a few short periods on account of the very smokey and not-so-great-for-your-lungs air quality we're currently experiencing in the city. Instead I read a lot, rapped along to Hamilton, spent time catching up with friends, and avoided talking to strangers at social gatherings. So other than not spending time at the beach, all par for the course really.

On a bit of a programming note, we're heading into the busy season at work and as much as I'd like to say that you'll still see a CMF in your inbox every Friday morning... that just may not happen based on how tired and/or musically exposed I am in the coming weeks. I'm aiming to stay on track, but as you've probably already noticed you may not receive a weekly CMF every Friday through mid-September, depending on how things roll out. In the meantime, feel free to throw on the CMF playlist on Spotify if you really need your fix!


The First: When It Rains It Pours by Luke Combs

I avoided this song for a while because I assumed from the title that it would be slow and broody and I wasn't really interested in that. But as is often the case when I make assumptions, I was wrong! This song is a fun one so give it a listen.


The Second: Unforgettable by Thomas Rhett

In. To. Ittttt! Even if I have I no idea was a "mango-rita" is. From what I've gathered via interviews he's done, Mr. Rhett wrote this song about meeting his wife and the start of their relationship. The beat and the story and all of it makes me real happy. And just like that title would suggest, the song is fairly unforgettable and hasn't really left my brain since it was released. Thanks, dude.


The Third and Final: Soggy Botton Summer by Dean Brody ft. Alan Doyle

I remember the good ole days of soggy bottom summers as a kid. We used to spend all day at the lake and although there weren't tube-able rivers in our town, we would sometimes go tubing whenever we were on vacation. Great times and both activities that would often leave your swimsuit bottoms a little soggy because they always took a bit longer to dry. As an adult I don't really experience soggy bottoms because I've matured, you see. And as a mature adult I know that going into any body of water that you can't see the bottom of isn't the best idea because sea monsters.
On another note, you may have noticed that Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea fame lends his one-of-a-kind pipes to the bridge of this song. Much like you would expect from a Bieber song that spontaneously features a rapper de jour partway through. But, like, way better of course. And even more Canadian.

It's looking like rain and maybe even some thunderstorms this weekend in Vancouver! My excitement for this is two-fold. First, we desperado need rain to clear up those wildfires and all the resulting smoke. Two, I love a good thunderstorm. Like, a lot. Especially in the summer when it's still warm enough to have your windows and doors open so that you can listen to the loud rain and thunder with a glass of wine, a good book, and a candle or two. That's the life. I'm going to be so happy if that's what my Sunday ends up looking like.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

I can't think of a good title

Much of my week has been spent like this: reminiscing over photos from last weekend's wedding festivities; getting sick; sleeping; feeling kinda better; getting even more sick; sleeping some more; eating frozen mango on my couch because most other foods feel like I'm swallowing razor blades; sleeping again. Needless to say, it's been a real riveting time around here.


The First: I Know She Ain't Ready by Luke Combs

Luke Combs has been gaining some traction lately so I thought I'd share the first song I ever heard of his. It's a sweet story if you like stories about pining, I guess? If you don't, just enjoy the smooth twang in his voice instead.


The Second: Love and War by Brad Paisley ft. John Fogerty

Mr. Paisley shared his album on Youtube last week, so of course I had no choice but to pass some of it along to you today. This is the title song from the new album and, although it's an early prediction, I think it's a favourite. Some of the others are... boring (sorry to say it, Brad.) But! If you like it and are just super excited to have some new Paisley in your life, I can also recommend Grey Goose Chase which I find sounds a bit like Catch All The Fish and I'm not complaining about it.


The Third and Final: Any Way The Wind Blows by Home Free

Shocker: the music video concept isn't great but the song really is - especially since it's an original and these boys typically stick with covers. I've listened to this song twice and it's already stuck in my head. I'd be annoyed but it's actually not that bad a song to have stuck in your head. Examples of songs that would be worse: the Small World song, The Song That Never Ends, anything by Nickelback. I need not go on.


Hoping for a strong recovery and a good weekend with my extended family. Hope you all have relaxing, sickness-free, Nickelback-free weekends!


Thanks for listening!
Karla

Kittens and Fluoride

With a day off today and a holiday Monday for BC Family Day, I've got an extra-long weekend that I'm really looking forward to! The activity docket highlights include: a kitten cuddle because my brother and his partner just adopted two tiny and adorable babies (eek!!!), a much needed catch-up with an out-of-town friend over brunch, a dentist appointment (does anyone else actually really like going to the dentist? Is it just me??) and then going for hot chocolate with my high school drama teacher (aka my high school hero). I'm hopeful I can time it so that I've got that fancypants hocho in my hands right when the fluoride wears off.

Please don't tell my dentist.

The First: Nothing At All by Baylor Wilson

Baylor has a single out right now called Turn Around and that song is great and all, but I decided to choose this one instead because the melody is just so delightfully different and uplifting. And what else are we all looking for on a Friday other than delightfully different and uplifting music? I mean, probably a glass of wine and and a vat of popcorn, obviously. But I mean other than the necessities, you know?


The Second: Memories Are Made Of by Luke Combs

A simple, sweet, and twangy walk down someone else's memory lane. The recorded version doesn't seem to be available on the Youtube, but this acoustic version will certainly do in the meantime. If you've now discovered you're a fan of Luke Combs (as I can only assume you must be after listening to this one), might I also suggest Out There which he duets with Jacob Bryant, for your extended listening pleasure?


The Third and Final: Kiss By Kiss by Brett Young

In case anyone was wondering, I'm still very much in love with this very talented gem. Because how could anyone not be. Also Brett maybe takes this song on a little Bruno Mars segue that I'm not entirely opposed to (for swooning-related reasons), so there's that too. Anyways, I thought this was a cute February 14th-appropriate song.

Wishing you all a happy Family Day and a very sweet Valentine's, whatever you're up to!

Thanks for listening!
Karla