2006

A lot happened in 2006. In that year my JM/JM fandom was reaching its peak. I started on my new job. I met my ex. I finished studying and I nearly moved out of my mum's house. Not at all in that order though. Also Brokeback Mountain, the film, happened at the end of that year and I started smoking again after one year being sober.

I think I got a bit stuck there. I check in with myself on a regular basis, just to see how I'm doing, career wise and personally. I always have. Lately, I found my mind got somewhat stuck in 2006. This means that I still believe both JM's are only 28 years of age (incidental miscalculation), Brokeback Mountain has only just been released and the Oscar loss hasn't happened yet, which also means, Jake is still 24 years of age, as am I. Also "24" with Kiefer Sutherland is still on TV in its second season and Tristan Prettyman is 23 years old. It's been only yesterday Jason Mraz played Lestat's on a regular basis, or Schubas for that matter and Denise and I spent walking through Cheltenham one week in summer listening to Jason Mraz. Me various songs, Denise an Elton John cover; "Rocket Man".

None of that is true. Well, it was once. Thing is, looking back, I don't know where the years went. It's one thing celebrating your quarter life crisis, it's another getting stuck in it.

All those years before and after happened right up till now. I remember some of them well, others not so well. It took ages growing up, in my experience. Now time seems to slip away and yet, I'm not quite old yet. I just got started and I know when: Back in 2006.

This is all garbage and a distraction from moving on which I should really be doing. I am moving on, but nothing seems to matter as much as 2006. Nothing significant that affects my life is happening. It can't be that I'm already getting stuck in a rythm, or a job, or my life. Somehow my standard of living got stuck on survive.

Jewel also happened in 2006 to me, though she was around much longer before that.

All the friends from "Friends" are no longer 20-somethings and I'm not a teenager watching them, or a 20-something myself rewatching them. Not too long ago I realized they now all are 40-somethings and I'm no longer myself a 20-something.

Unlike some, I never dreaded the big 30. What I don't like is the fact that I'm now slowly, but surely moving towards the big 40. Definately an age where behaving like a child is frowned upon. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to be a grownup, even though I'm doing all the grownup things. To be honest, I'm not even sure what a grownup is. I'm now finding out that a lot of grownups are childish in some way or another.

It's funny how you can't wait to be grownup when you're a child and then when you are one, you want nothing more than being a child again. Or is that just me?

Mraz vs Mayer - Hair Compare

So I now updated the JM/JM comparison twice. I pretty much ran out of steam, because I didn’t change my mind and the JM’s didn’t swap personalities nor talents. They are who they are and I am who I am. However, it’s fun, the comparison. So let’s get a little less serious.

Here’s a Hair Compare

I divided the periods up in five. This completely to my convenience and memory of severe shock. The periods are:

1. Cuddly-Wuddly-Fresh-Faced-Pop-Crooners
2. Up-and-Coming-even-Further
3. Somewhere-Inbetweeners
4. Somewhere-Down-the-Liners
5. Hipper-than-Hipster

Let’s start with the last one, since that’s the one freshest in my memory: Hipper-than-Hipster back in 2012. It was the sheer volume of the haircut + occurrence. I knew Jason was growing his hair, I didn’t know John was too.

The judgement

Volume
Both got a nice head of hair with good volume. In both cases the hair frames the face nicely and give the gentelemen a nice full, if what hairy, look. They can both carry it of quite well.

Since they both have about the same volume, I’m going to give both 1 point.

Jason 1 <> John 1.

Style
Both have a bit of curls, which I quite like. In Jason’s case his curls can become quite wild. In this picture however, his curls seem to be a bit absent. Shame, because it makes for a very interesting appearance.

Another point to touch on, freshness in the style. It is commonly known Jason is not into hair products and hair caring all that much. This means, his hairdo doesn’t always look as fresh and clean. John I never saw with a greasy, unbrushed do.

The point has to go to John for taking the best care.

John 2 <> Jason 1.

Accessories
I choose an uncharacteristic picture for Jason. Jason is a hat man, part because of his neglect in hair care sometimes. Jason sported, fedora’s, bandana’s, beanies, etc. John, sporting an interesting hat in this picture, usually goes for the bare hair look.

This point must go to Jason for the sheer variation of accessories worn on locks.

Jason 2 <> John 2.

So, who wins? I don’t know.

This also happened in 2012.

It was a hairy year.



About Taylor Swift

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be mean to be mean to....anyway...but this is funny:

"Jake Gyllenhaal, Bradley Cooper, John Mayer, and Vince Vaughn.


What do all these men have in common?

She must be the hardest working beard in Hollywood."

Found here.

That forum is out of control:

"If i was Jake Gyllenhaal and could do any chick in the world, i'd choose Maggie Gyllenhaal"

And a last one.

This was the title of the thread: "Jake Gyllenhaal is eager to step into the void vacated by Bradley Cooper, John Mayer, and Vince Vaughn. Don't kid yourself; you'd give your right arm for a chance at it too"


And this is a reaction to it:

"He's going to step into it? Like with his foot? If he can pull that off, I guess we can stop wondering why the other ones left her."

And to brighten things up:

Well - seeing her checked man past he should wear some protection:

 

Love is a Four Letter Word....and a Verb

I’m shamefullly behind on listening to both JM’s newest albums, both released at some point in 2012. I can also shamefully report that after listening to John’s “Born and Raised” I lost the cd, so I’ve only played it legally once. And to my big shame, I thought I bought Jason’s “Love is a Four Letter Word”, but I sure as hell can’t find the damn cd. Now I’m not so sure anymore I actually bought it.

So in both cases, I’ve been shamefully listening to their new music through YouTube.

From what I’ve heard so far, it sounds like both are refinding their roots while developing on. By listening to their new stuff, I’ve been feeling really proud and happy. I think they’re both doing fantastically now. They both grew musically, but also personally which is reflected in their lyrics. They’re still them, very different and easy to tell apart and yet similar. It still amuses me how their careers seem to surf on the same waves. Good for them.

Finally, I think I’ve heard enough from both to make a proper comparison again, though I already know what the end result will be.

The categories
1. Talent: In which I’ll judge their playing & singing. Two points can be won;
2. Songs: In which I’ll judge their songs, musically and lyrically. Two points to win;
3. Personality & Publicity: How are they and how do they deal with the press? Two points;

Buy "Born and Raised"

the Comparison

Talent
John had granulomas in his throat. He had surgery to remove them and then vocal rest for the greater part of 2011. He only just started singing again. He sounds good to me. Still not the best vocalist, but steady, even after surgery.

In the meantime Jason has been developing his guitar playing. In the live version of “93 Million Miles” he plays a nice guitar solo for which I can give nothing but kudos. Still, I don’t think he can beat John in a guitar playing contest.

I’m going to give both one point; they both deserve it.

Jason 1 <> John 1.


Songs
Musically I’m still most attracted to Jason’s stuff. Also his lyrics can be amazing, or a bit too hippy. That’s why it’s still John’s lyrics that grab me most and his melodies are still very pleasing to my ears, but not as much as Jason’s. They’re two different beasts doing their own thing. There is a reason why I love both.

Buy "Love is a Four Letter Word"

John gets one point for his lyrics and Jason one for his music.

John 2 <> Jason 2.

Personality & Publicity
They both been idiots in the past. John said some really nasty things about some of his exes in an interview and Jason got engaged and broke up within the timespan of a few months claiming he didn’t “feel man enough” in the relationship. In both cases I could do nothing but think: “Idiot!!!” What’s the matter with you!?!?!?” Around that time I fell off the bandwagon.


Jason has now retreated into blissful press silence about his relationships, which I think he still does sublimely. John came back last year after a long (forced) silence and obviously reflected on the crap he had left and admitted he “was a jerk”.
So that’s that then. No points, because they’ve been misbehaving.

Really, John lost a point, but I’m not going to take it from him. See it as some sort of encouragement to keep up his current good behaviour.)

Who wins?
Still no-one. I still like them equally and I still wish them all the luck and happiness in the world. And remember, “Love” is a four letter word and a verb. They got that right. I think I'll try and design a tattoo for that.

Smart Blogging Skills

Blogger has this beautiful functionality where you can see stats of your blog. You can see how many page views you've got, how the surfers ended up on your blog and they're from, etc. Beautiful and useful. So I now know you are very interested in my reasoning why Brokeback Mountain is not just another love story and who's better, John or Jason, or Jason or John? I will also suggest you download "A Poet From Hollywood" by Cantara Christopher, since you were very willing to read my take on the book and there was actually nothing in that post about the book. Go here if you're really interested.

However, I'm still just a small, lone blogger and it remains decidedly quiet in this corner of the Internet.

John Mayer vs Jason Mraz - Part 2

Once upon a time there was a blogpost from Wiwik in which she compared John Mayer to Jason Mraz. It was the read and most commented post on wiwipedia, even after two years readers were still commenting and disagreeing.


It is flattering and somewhat annoying. Flattering, because people still take an interest in my blog, or at least that one post. And annoying because people keep commenting on a post that was valid and true back in 2009, but ever since both John and Jason have moved on in their careers and lives. Because both John and Jason have moved on career wise and life wise, I decided to revisit my original post and do an updated comparison.

Points once again can be earned in the following categories:

 Talents: Playing & Singing (1 point);
 Their Songs (2 points: each sub-category 1 point);
        o Music;
        o Lyrics;
 Personality & Publicity (2 points: each sub-category 1 point);
        o Personality;
        o Publicity.

There’s a total of 5 points to be earned. The one earning the most points out of 5 wins, just like the first time.


Talents

Playing & Singing

A lot described in the first comparison is still true. For John his guitar work is more important than his vocals, while for Jason his vocals are more important than his guitar work. I’m going to reward the point to Jason. This time not, because his guitar work is “bearable” where John’s vocals sometimes really aren’t, but because Jason has evolved his guitar work. He’s more than ever experimenting and learning about guitar playing and it shows. His guitar work still isn’t as good as John’s, but at least he puts in some effort in developing a skill that doesn’t lie at the bottom of his musical talents. John however simply delivers vocals. He got a bit better I feel, but hasn’t developed his vocal skills as much as Jason has his guitar playing skills.

Jason 1 versus John 0.

Music

This is a tough one since I don’t follow as religiously as I used to. I’m going to give it a try anyway. I have heard both their last efforts and to me, I think they both delivered strong albums.

John’s album, to my shame, I have only heard once. What I remember is that it felt like he went back to his roots. With that I mean it comes closer to what he put out when he was making a name, though less bubble gummy. I remember quite liking the songs; it just didn’t attract me enough to give it another listen.

Jason’s album, to my shame, I haven’t even bought. This doesn’t mean I haven’t heard any of it. As a matter of fact, I have heard the songs from his newest album more than I have the songs off of John’s album. Truth is that I feel more attracted to Jason’s songs than I do to John’s. Therefore I reward the point to Jason.

Jason 2 versus John 0.

Lyrics

No idea. No points given since I can’t really judge this for a have no idea what John’s songs were about, nor how they were written.

Personality & Publicity

Publicity

John had a string of flings. Well, not flings, it just sounded nice in that sentence. He had some high profile love relationships that crashed and burned and were all over gossip land. From what I understood he’s also a bit in a pickle in his personal life, but I wouldn’t know anything about that. He seems to have picked up a bit, but I don’t know.

Jason still doesn’t appear in gossip land. The one small tidbit I heard was that he got engaged and then cancelled the wedding, because he didn’t feel man enough within the relationship which I found a really lame excuse. Once again, I really don’t know.

I suppose the point has to go to Jason for better rumour control or maybe even a better lifestyle.

Jason 3 versus John 0.

Personality

Very simply Jason wins this category for being optimistic and positive versus John being not that positive and somewhat depressed. Explanation in the first comparison still stands.

Jason 4 versus John 0. Oh dear, John slipped a little, didn’t he?

So, who wins?

Well, uhm, Jason, obviously. I’m not even sure what happened to John. I feel I should give him another chance, but I’m not sure how. I think where John could get one point is in the lyrics category, the category I failed to grade. I think this since John’s lyrics tend to speak to me more than Jason’s, but I’ve been very happy and even impressed by Jason’s latest lyrics, though in some cases he still manages to annoy me with overloaded love messages.

But honestly, what happened to John?

The first comparison.

Men & Boys

From the moment 'Go', the very first time I saw him appear on screen, I knew I loved his work, a lot. It must have been one of his funnier roles in probably the Adventures of Baron Munchhausen film, as The Right Ordinary Horatio Jackson. He was bombastically funny. He made me laugh. The second time I watched him and where it was firmly confirmed he actually is a wonderful and funny actor, was in Brazil. Ever since I kept my eyes open to catch him whenever I was able. Watching loads of Terry Gilliam films helps a great deal. Jonathan was once again great in the Brothers Grimm and in Pirates of the Caribean (PotC is not a Terry Gilliam, mind you).
I don't know why (or why not) I searched YouTube to find more Jonathan. I did one evening and found he did some huge musical productions (besides Evita). I was blown away by his performance as the Engineer in Miss Saigon. Like I always sort of knew he is funny, I also sort of knew he can sing. He can sing all right. He well deserved the awards he got for his role as the Engineer.

Having this said it seems weird I always considered Jonathan Pryce a very serious actor who does drama and serious plays. It is true; he did loads of heavy serious plays, but that is not how I got to know about him. And even though I always knew he is funny and he can sing, to find both of those skills in Jonathan has always blown me away. And still does. My latest crush is his portrayal of Lytton Strachey in Carrington; he's delightfully freaky and outspoken, but very lovable (or is that my love for Jonathan speaking?).

How different things are with Alan Rickman for me. I always knew I liked his work and I always sort of knew he's funny, even though I always considered him a serious actor who does drama and serious plays. I know that sounds the same as what I said about Jonathan, but it's not. There's one big difference; I was paying close attention to Jonathan while I kept forgetting Alan's name. Blasphemy, I know. Well, not really. Well, okay a little. It's not that I discredited, or didn't notice Mr. Rickman's more than fine work, it's just that somehow he always seemed to 'fly under the radar' more than Jonathan. That's absolutely the weirdest thing to say since Rickman seems to be more known than Jonathan Pryce. It's just that my love for Jonathan was instant where my love for Alan only simmered for a long time.

You can very much compare it to my love for the two JM's (that love is running deeper than I ever thought it possible; a very affectionate laugh just escaped me). I saw John Mayer first and knew I would love him (weird thing to say about a famous person). I admire his style. I love his music. I love his passion. Through John I got to know about Jason Mraz. My love for him didn't quite take off from the moment I first set eyes on him. Actually, the first glimpse made me run away for a few months. Eventually, I fell. Now I'm very much in love with him (even weirder thing to say about a celeb). Still, I regard John as my obvious love for his artistic abilities, like I regard Jonathan as my obvious love for his artistic abilities. I don't appreciate Alan's and Jason's work less, oh God no! It's just a different approach. Like an explosion contrary to a home fire. It burns harder at times and wams me faster, but after a while the intensity decreases. Jonathan and John are there to keep me warm. Alan and Jason are there to heat me up.

Bah, I made that sound more sexual than I intended to.

it's SUMMER!!!

Of course I had to post this. You can imagine what my mood is like, right now.

the Spectator and his Expectations

It's not that I'm disappointed with Jason's reaction to his Grammy wins. It's not even because Jason seemed somewhat uninterested in what was going on that evening. It's because I experienced that lack of reaction before from other people.

The first one that springs to mind is my mom's reaction on an achievement of mine. I didn't put much meaning behind it, so I even can't remember what the achievement was. What I do remember is telling my mom and my mom reaction kind of not meeting my expectations. To me, she didn't seem as happy or excited about my achievement; I expected more. I thought about it and came to the conclusion I wasn't expecting her to jump up and down in happiness; that would have been weird. How she should have reacted, I couldn't tell so I let it go.

A few weeks back John Mayer visited our little country for the first concert of his 2010 tour. It was all very exciting. Everybody was excited and the fans showed it by making both planned shows go sold out within the presale. The day John was in the country he visited a Dutch tv-show to play a song. To his surprise he also was to receive a golden record for the amount of copies sold of his latest album Battle Studies. He showed his gratitude, but it kind of felt like a formality; saying thank you because he had to. He didn't seem that excited. Once again, I was expecting a little more, but due to the circumstances (me not knowing him and me not knowing anything of his situation at that moment) I let it go.

The same lack of reaction seemed to have plagued Jason. As for Jason's reaction on his Grammy wins: All I heard was "Wow, I won?" and then he just went back to his (not even funny) bro'in joke. He seemed a little uninterested, like he didn't even know who the other nominees in his categories were. I bet he was happy with the wins. Maybe he was just processing the information and the real reaction came out of sight of camera's. But he not even reacted on the presenter's comments and questions about his wins. Even the presenter was expecting more. I conclude that from his comment that Jason's face looked like he just woke up from a nap after hearing he won both Grammy's. I mean who's expecting that?

Check somewhere around 2:10.


I can't say I'm disappointed, because I'm convinced my mom loves me and is proud of me. And I do believe that both John and Jason are grateful for the support of their fans and the acknowledgements they get all around the globe. Sometimes I believe it's in their nature to keep their feelings in control and to themselves. Sometimes I think the information just has to bleed through. Still, sometimes it's nice to get a little more.

Like the reply I got from blend apparel after sending them an e-mail asking if it was possible for me to pay through paypal instead of credit card. I had only asked a question and got a bucket full of sweet words and love back as a reply. That was not what I was asking for, but nice to receive. I suppose I kind of hoped to get that from my mom, John and Jason even though it seemed a bit much.

The received reaction never seems to measure up to the expectations.

We're All Connected

John appeared on Storytellers playing some songs. Check here www.johnmayer.com. Every time I visit his homepage and see that particular newsflash, it blows my mind cause it remembers me about my Storytellers blog.

I start to believe I have some special connection. It's all wired up through the Universe and comes around to me. Maybe it's a portal I hold open with my fantasizing. Maybe it's my deep wishing for something more special than the regular fan/idol bond. Probably it's just one of these generalisations you can interpret anyway you want and it will always be true, because the meaning in the word or the use of the word is so many, you can't miss when shooting.

The only thing I'm sure of is that it makes me feel somewhat special for a split second.

Storytellers

My life has always been supported by my rich fantasy. When I was a little kid I had a fantasy friend called ‘Anders’ (‘Different’ in English). Since it’s been such a long time, I’m not sure why I called him Anders, maybe because he was different from the kids in my real life with whom I couldn’t get along very well. I think, though, the name sounded nice and beautiful to me when I named him.
I recall vaguely his (fantasized) presence, but not the things we did together, or the stories I made up to be his history. I do recall my mom being worried about it, and the doctor saying it was pretty normal for a girl my age. Both my mom and the doctor were convinced I would grow over it; I never did.

The memories of my childhood are pretty foggy. I remember mainly my moods or the way I felt in a certain situation. I do not recall all the characters I made up in my youth, but there are many. After Anders I didn’t constrain myself to only one character, but I started to make up complete communities. Some I was, some I wanted to be, and others were just cool friends or passerby’s. The only thing they got in common is the reason of their birth; my dreams for other situations than the one I was living in.

When I got into my teens, the birth of some of my characters changed. Their becoming, not the reason. The characters I made up from that point on where often based on existing persons, like the members of Take That or my first teenage crush. The stories I made up became more lively and exciting. But I was still wishing for and dreaming about. I still pictured the girl I wanted to be, not the girl I was.

Another remarkable trait was that all of my characters always were a little older than I was. I remember my main character being 16 while I was 13. She was one of the faces on a girl’s magazine and she looked like my cousin who must have been 16 at the time.
I remember a variety of characters passing by when I was 18 to 20 while all the characters were female and somewhere along the line of the age of 25.

I also started to make up (boy)friends who were, usually, all born in 1978. The one who stuck was Roy. I loved Roy very much. So much, that any guy called Roy was preferred over any other guy. Unfortunately, I had to cut Roy off, and he died in June 2006 of cancer. Roy had a boyfriend Noah (oh yeah, a lot of the guys are gay or at least bisexual). Noah is now one of my best friend and a steady force. He calms me when I’m feeling down, frustrated or plain mad. Another friend I made up is Maximilian. He’s such a sweety and a great friend. I love him to death. Max is a little younger than Noah; he was born in 1979 while Noah is born in the usual year of 1978.

Even today I’m still fantasizing, and still I’m fantasizing of what I want. This results in Noah and Max being my twin boys. Sometimes I picked the names, because I love the names, and sometimes I named them after my dear friends.

And sometimes you get inspired and they amaze and touch you in a way you never expected. Maybe it’s because I want them to, and maybe because they are really that damn talented. Or maybe they experienced and described situations and feelings I experienced; the things that speak to me. They end up in my fantasies as well. They become my friends, but we’re not best friends, cause I’m aware of the distance between us; be it a physical distance or psychological distance. It’s a different kind of friendship, one not quite existing.

I’m well aware they are my fantasy and stand apart from the public persons John Mayer and Jason Mraz who are celebrated in real life. I am aware the things I make them crave for or act like are possibly the opposite of the things they really crave for or act like. It’s my take on their reality; it’s my reality fantasy.
And then they say or do something which complements my story about them even better than I could ever make it up. It blows me away time after time. Many a time it lightened my mood, and sometimes I even wept. It always was mind blowing. Weird.

Whatever it is, or whatever brings my fantasized world together with their worlds of music, I love it and I will keep on fantasizing.

Facts: Update on my Journy Through Life

And here's the moment you all have been waiting for (obviously to my 4 readers who might just as well have missed the previous update lists).

- A bit more than 2 1/5 years have passed and now I have 4 readers of which 2 notified my on the Dutch forum and 2 actually leave comments. I thank you very much.

- Like I always promised myself and others, I won't delete old posts. This leaves me just not mentioning RKOP nor MSM anymore. The last couple of months without have been a blessing, though I miss talking to certain people. (Most respect earned over the years: Emmy. Always respected and loved: Holly. Hilary, also respected; I hope to hear from you.)

- The new soundboxes (which are now about 2 years old) have an annoying blue light when turned on.

- DVD player / Mediaplayer and me are very close. Emile, thnx for the downloads of old shows; they rock, literally.

- Dennis Morris will be forever in my head when typing updates. And he is accompanied by Charlie Mingronie (Is that how you spell his last name?).

- During my holiday, I forgot about my blogspot and when I remembered, I was too lazy to post. Let's call it a lack of inspiration.

- Bathroom needs remodelling. The towel hangers have been discussed and will be replaced. When? We don't know.

- I got up around 8.00 am to Farmville and then went back to bed, cause 8.00 am hurt my head.

- There was no need to go to work today, but will go coming monday. And you guess it, it'll take me 1 hour to get there.

　

- I reviewed my passed two years using my review from a couple of years ago which I recycled as well...and...

- I'm wrote a completely new review. However, I used the old list to keep the tradition going. Because I needed to update the points and add some new ones.

- Jason Mraz is increasingly annoying me.

- My love for John Mayer is back in big volumes.

- RKOP and PORK are still worrying me. MSM does not worry me.

2readers.html

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John Mayer vs Jason Mraz

The updated comparison

The polls still pop up. Usually John wins, because he's the most famous and got the most fans. So, how would the results be if it was entirely up to me?

Points can be earned in 3 categories:
· Talents: Playing & Singing (1 point);
· Their Songs (2 points; each sub category 1 point):
- Musical;
- Lyrics;
· Personality & Publicity (2 points; each sub category 1 point):
- Personality;
- Publicity.

There's a total of 5 points to be earned. The one earning the most points out of 5 wins.

Talents

Playing & SingingJohn Mayer is amazing on guitar, but tends to suck at singing. He tries and sometimes he surprises me, but usually not so much.

Jason Mraz is an amazing vocalist, but his guitar playing is not impressive. I usually got the feeling the guitar really only is a tool to back his vocals up, so he doesn't try too hard to evolve in that area.

Still, I have to reward 1 point to Jason, cause Jason's guitar playing is bearable where John's singing sometimes really isn't.

Jason 1 versus John 0.

Their Songs

Musical
John Mayer is more developed in a greater variety of sounds. He also tends to be edgier, but usually it only lasts for a few songs per period. He has written a few songs which are incredibly good in quality; I dare to say these are timeless. Unfortunately, he also writes quite a few songs which disappear easily.

Jason Mraz tries on a great variety of musical styles, but tends to get stuck at the simple (sounding) love songs and happy tunes. Especially a lot of his new songs sound alike. Jason can be a really fun songwriter and takes you to a party, but the songs don't last. Sometimes he's edgy, but usually the edginess of it is superficial and underneath lies another happy (love) tune.

I have to chose quality over quantity; John gets this point.

Jason 1 versus John 1.

Lyrics
John wrote some of my all time favourite lyrics; really clever ones in which just anyone could find something they understand and love.

Jason wrote some clever lyrics. The difference lies in where the lyrics are clever; where John writes stuff anyone can relate too, Jason can describe one situation in 100 different ways, making it sound poetic. He even manages to give double meanings to sentences or make seemingly meaningless sentences mean something really grand.

Still I'm going to have to give John the point, because I find myself relating more to his lyrics than to Jason's. Tough choice though, because I really admire the way Jason can play tricks with words and make his message come across.

Jason 1 versus John 2.

Personality and Publicity

Publicity
John Mayer dated Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston; all ladies in brighter spotlights than he is. His tendency to date those women gives the suspicion he dates them for the benefit of his career; for the attention. Obviously, that's a big No-No.
John is able to deal with the press well, but regularly fails, because the press takes the liberty to misunderstand. I'm pretty sure John hates certain aspects of the image the press made of him.

Jason Mraz hardly is in the publicity. Whenever he is, it's because he released an album, a single or a book of pictures, or he gives a concert. There's no news, not even gossip about who his new love interest might be. He's only seen in briefs and with a big ass knife, because he posted it himself on his blog. So tongue in cheek, it was obvious this was worth a buzz, not a rumour. Jason handles everything he puts out into the open, and especially to the press, so well and smart, there's nothing that could be turned and twisted into a rumour. Jason already took the edge off for you or handed it to you edgier than you can pass it on to anyone else.

Obviously, one point to Jason for knowing how to deal with people and especially with the press.

Jason 2 versus John 2.

Personality
John is a weird guy with a wicked kind of sense of humour. He's often misunderstood, because he tends to express himself a little too strong or chooses the wrong words. John is an attention seeking guy, somehow. Even though he makes a lot of social mistakes, he's not dumb; on the contrary, I believe he's actually pretty smart. John understands his own choices and he's aware of his social awkwardness. John doesn't follow without understanding, but thinks for himself.

Jason is a bit of a follower; he's an eternal victim of fashion. But because he is, he understands completely why people do certain things and what they're trying to do, and he's smart enough to tap in on it. Beside that, Jason is very passionate about his latest choice of fashion and other people see and feel that and want to feel the same way as Jason does. Even though I hate how he follows without completely understanding, I love how passionate he is about it and how he brings that passion on to others even though it leads others into doing stupid things. His not completely understanding, however, is a big No-No.

Half a point to John Mayer for being nothing but himself and the other half to Jason Mraz for inspiring people to do the right things and being passionate about it.

Jason 2 1/2 versus John 2 1/2.

So, who wins?

I don't know.

In my opinion, neither is better than the other. They both got their talents and use them well. They both got their personality issues, but who doesn't? I love them both for doing what they do in their own way. I love how they believe in their ways and how passionate they are about it. And of course, I love their music; I am a fan after all.

Half of My Heart, but Hopelessly Devoted

So far, with any of my celebrity crushes, I was always hopelessly devoted to my crush (or crushes). The kind of love one feels, for someone you really don't know, is baffling. In fact, I'm only in love with the image, the character I created in my head who bears the same name as my celebrity crush. I am quick to note that anything I think and say about my idol is based on what I read, what I heard, what I experienced on a very superficial level and the way I put all that information together. The person I see as, for instance Jason Mraz, is not the actual person the way he developed, acts and is in real life. I am very aware of that.

It's a bit of a scary thing to say I'm totally and hopelessly devoted to an illusion. He's not completely an illusion; he lives for real, he puts music out for real and I've been to several of his concerts for real. What is an illusion are the specific characteristics I connect to him. He's probably got some of those characteristics, but some others he does not have. Overall, the complete collection of characteristics that I have in my head and labeled Jason Mraz is probably not the collection that define the real Jason Mraz.

Do I care? No, not really. You can't possibly know every little detail of one person; not even your own partner, or child. I am aware I probably know nothing about Jason Mraz, and the small things I think I know, might be very wrong, or changed, or whatever. It's not really the case of loving someone who's not close, who's far from being a personal friend or even knowing anything about that person. It's all about the love for the things he brings to the table of which I am (kind of) sure; his music. All I know is that when I listen his music, I am usually at ease and enjoying the words and melodies he put together and brings to my ears.

John Mayer once/often (select whatever applies) said he needed 30 minutes to bring people back to a place where they thought they knew nothing about him, before he could tell them who and what he really is. He is right; a lot of people, especially fans, claim they know their idol. They don't. Whatever they know are the superstitions in their heads and the rumours they read on Perez.com or ONTD. They might have guessed a few characterizations right, but only a few characterizations don't make a person (it would make a very boring person however). There's so much to have missed; it should keep us guessing.

So what's that relationship between an idol and his fan? What's more interesting; What's that relationship between a fan and her idol? (Note the subtle usage of he/she.)

It's in the melodies the idol brings, and also in the words. I can only really explain it with one of John Mayer new songs. Read the lyrics (and listen the song) and you'll know what I'm about. And with this, I take the liberty of assuming, you'll understand why this song caught my heart so bad and made me love John.

HALF OF MY HEART

I was born in the arms of imaginary friends
free to roam, made a home out of everywhere I've been
then you come crashing in, like the realest thing
trying my best to understand all that your love can bring

oh half of my heart's got a grip on the situation
half of my heart takes time
half of my heart's got a right mind to tell you
that I can't keep loving you
oh, with half of my heart

I was made to believe I’d never love somebody else
I made a plan, stay the man who can only love himself
lonely was the song I sang, 'til the day you came
showing me a better way and all that my love can bring

oh half of my heart's got a grip on the situation
half of my heart takes time
half of my heart's got a right mind to tell you
that I can't keep loving you
oh, with half of my heart
with half of my heart

your faith is strong
but I can only fall short for so long
time will hold, later on
you will hate that I never gave more to you than half of my heart
but I can't stop loving you
but I can't stop loving you
but I can't stop loving you with half of my...

half of my heart (2 times)

half of my heart's got a real good imagination
half of my heart's got you
half of my heart's got a right mind to tell you
that half of my heart won't do

half of my heart is a shock on a wedding to a bride with a paper ring
and half of my heart is the part of a man who's never really loved anything

half of my heart (6 times)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_u7scUM9TM

No More

It's a little hard to keep it up. After three years of fighting I'm getting worn out. When did it stop being about the music?

One thing I have to agree on: There's no way winning this fight.

ETA: I just missed a trend. I shall now retreat and let them have it.

John Mayer: MSM vs. Anti-Local-83
Jason Mraz: RKOP vs. PORK

JM JM Reply

And as for the Best Male Pop Vocal Awesomeness, I’d like to acknowledge John Mayer for being so generous with his gifts in music, but also for being so outspoken regarding his admiration for I’m Yours. I am blessed just to participate in music, but even more blessed to do so at a time when the music community is so loving and encouraging. Thank you John. It is a great honor to be recognized by one’s peers. You deserve every bit of acclaim that’s out there. Hope to see you and your giant heart on the road again soon.
http://freshnessfactorfivethousand.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-grammy-acceptance-speech.html

Jason is right. And I'm lucky to witness this. And you...

JM JM

I think Jason Mraz wrote, recorded and SANG one of the best songs of 2008, and I hope this makes it back to him...
http://www.johnmayer.com/battlestudies/

Isn't he a peach? Makes you wanna pinch his cheek, wouldn't you?

I probably already said it profusely, but I both love John and Jason. I got to know about them at about the same time, and I've been to concerts of both. I'm also still regretting not going to Hard Rock Calling in London, last year. John right after Jason. Ah well, I'd probably pass out anyway.

This blog, cause I only wanted to say 'Makes you wanna pinch his cheeck, wouldn't you?'.

And because I safe every piece 'n bit that's even only remotely about both. It's like having them together in one room. John playing the guitar and Jason doing the vocals for a song they might have written together...

Oh c'mon! Let a girl dream!

Once More, We're Talking Fruits Here!!!

I've been grinning all day from the moment I published my post up until now and I think I'm not done grinning yet.

Keywords are: suits, Grammy's, JM and JM, Say, I'm Yours.

Maybe I can tell someone to say 'Say I'm Yours'. I think I'm gonna try that one on my boyfriend tonight.

Anyway, the loss/win leaves me less baffled than expected. The weird comparisons amuses me this time. That brings me back to a short article I once found online. This should be registered for eternity:

Are John Mayer and Jason Mraz the same person?
Okay, so it's likely that John Mayer and Jason Mraz are not the same person, I know that. I also know I am not the first person to point out the similarities between the two. However, after checking out Jason Mraz Monday night at the Paramount I see now why the comparisons are made.

The words that made me laugh: .

...so it's likely that John Mayer and Jason Mraz are not the same person.

Buahahaha: As if there's any doubt.

And:

However, after checking out Jason Mraz Monday night at the Paramount I see now
why the comparisons are made.

I bet most people have no clue why they compare the two. But this might be right on the money.

That article was the most inventive of all the comparisons, and probably the most true. Still, I feel it's like comparing apples to oranges. Let's just say 'It's a Fruit'.

Note to self: Stop reading your own blog!!!

Reference:
http://wiwipedia.blogspot.com/2009/02/grammy-for-rant.html

http://pugetsoundblogs.com/spintheblackcircle/2008/11/13/are-john-mayer-and-jason-mraz-the-same-person/

http://wiwipedia.blogspot.com/2007/11/its-fruit.html

Look at the Suits

Great suits!

Tho J, what's up with your hair and the shoes?

Grammy for Rant

I'm a little bit bummed out.

Last night the Grammy's were given out. Jason was nominated in two categories; Best Song of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. He didn't win any. That's okay really.

What is not so okay is; John Mayer won the one for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. That is total bullshit, because he can't even nearly sing as well as Jason. Besides that, it was for the song Say. Jason was nominated with I'm Yours. Neither of the songs are great treasures of the pop music world, but in my book, I'm Yours stands one place higher than Say. Say says nothing. At least it says nothing new we never have thought of ourselves. Jason has a song about the same freakin' subject, and I dare to bet many more artists do.

John Mayer won, because he's John Mayer, and Jason obviously isn't. And here the ridiculous comparison of the two comes in play. (I'm annoyed! Can you tell?) John is so much more commercial than Jason is. He sells his records, where Jason plays the songs from his records. John dazzles people for the sake of dazzling them, where Jason dazzles people, because he almost literally plays and sings his heart out. With that I don't say John doesn't like to play music; he loves it, but the third factor 'attention' is more important to John than it is to Jason. John does and tries more to get that attention to a point where the attention has nothing to do with his music anymore. Think of all the public relationships he has had in the last couple of years (Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Aniston). While John is doing that, Jason is eating raw food (That's another way of getting attention. Not better, but just as effective. And I digress). Apparently, eating raw food isn't as sexy as dating a famous blonde (and a raw food diet don't sell a glossy).

My point is, the Grammy's have nothing to do with the quality of music, but rather with how much money one artist can bring in with his work. Not even with that particular song, cause Jason's I'm Yours is still somewhere high up in the charts where John's Say has disappeared altogether.

I mean: 'Say what you need to say'. Okay, but do you really need to say that 35 times at a time? I think I'd rather hear that someone's mine 35 times, eventhough that would make me wanna slap someone as well.

Conclusion: A Grammy winning artist is not per se a good artist.

And last but not least, I'd like to show how sophisticated the two songs were:

Say
Take out of your wasted honor
Every little past frustration
Take all your so called problems

Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say

Walkin' like a one man army
Figthin' with the shadows in your head
Livin' up the same old moment
Knowin' you'd be better off instead
If you could only

Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say

Have no fear for givin' in
Have no fear for givin' over
You better know that in the end
It's better to say too much
Than to never to say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shakin'
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closin'
Do it with a heart wide openA wide heart

Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say

Oh my dear gawd!!!I had to type out the lyrics, because I couldn't just simply copy/paste it. I was very effectively confronted with the overload of Say what you need to say's.

And:

I'm Yours
Well you done done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
Now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out I'll be giving it my bestest
And nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some

I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love
Listen to the music of the moment babay sing with me
We're just one big family
And It's our God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love loved

So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

Scooch on over closer dear
And I will nibble your ear

I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and laughed
I guess what I'm be saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm yours
Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find that the sky is yours
Please don't, please don't, please don't
There's no need to complicate
Cause our time is short
This oh this this is out fate, I'm yours!

Oh my dear gawd!!!

I must admit, I'm fan of both John and Jason and knew both songs and sing-a-song-along happily, but I never thought of what I was singing. Do I now feel smart, or what!?

....Hear my gritting teeth in embarrassment....


John had this to say on twitter:

Best Pop Male Vocal!! I wanna share it with Mraz. His is a really special performance. Hands are shaking, about to play some R and B!!

I think they should, because that will make me (and about a thousands more people) happier, and they so deserve it.

Fair enough, I already knew the Grammy's are bullshit and that both John and Jason are capable of producing high quality music.

There, I said what I needed to say.