Things I Like

I have compiled this page so you can learn a little more about me: art that has influenced me, my love of Kelly Clarkson, and whatever else strikes my fancy. I had a lot of fun with it. Hope you do, too.

The Top Five Live Performances
by Kelly Clarkson

I am a big Kelly Clarkson fan. She is down-to-earth and came from nothing. She embodies the American Dream. But most of all, she has the voice of an angel, and these are my favorite examples.

5. Home (Marc Broussard)

Orlando Mardi Gras
March 29, 2009

The first winner of American Idol, Kelly is a power-house vocalist. The quality of this video is poor, but her vocals are insane. She effortlessly slips between belts and head voice. Her bluesy rasp punctuates the song’s soul. Also, be sure to catch the note at the end.

4. My Country ‘Tis of Thee (Traditional)

Inauguration of Barack Obama
January 20, 2013

This performance is a beautiful tribute to America and all its beauty, despite its imperfections. In it, one of my personal heroes welcomes another back into office. Two heroes, dedicated to bettering their country.

3. Since U Been Gone

MTV Video Music Awards
August 28, 2005

This one is so energetic. The vocals are trash, but pay that no mind. She is unleashed and having fun, jumping around in the rain. I may or may not have sung “Since U Been Gone” in the shower as a moody teen just like this, pretending to be all that...

2. Piece by Piece

American Idol: The Farewell Season
February 25, 2016

This performance is so touching. The song, written by Kelly, is about how her (now, ex-) husband is a better father than hers was, and about doing right by her children. She is singing it while pregnant. It’s raw. She is crying. Keith Urban is crying. And so am I.

1. Up to the Mountain
(Patty Griffin)

Idol Gives Back
April 24, 2007

This happened right around the time I became a big fan of Kelly. There’s just something about her. I can’t put my finger on it. She is so inspiring. This is my favorite live performance by anyone ever. Enjoy.

Bonus: Medley of 2017’s hits

Billboard Music Awards
May 20, 2018

I’ll keep this “bonus” slot open for recent favorites. In 2018, Kelly hosted the Billboard Music Awards. And if the previous videos didn’t convince you that she’s the Queen of Live Covers, this medley definitely will.

Did I mention that I met Kelly Clarkson?

Stronger Tour in Champaign, Ill.
February 25, 2012

A Book that Influenced Me

To the Lighthouse (1927)
Virginia Woolf

“To the Lighthouse” is unconventional. Written in a stream-of-consciousness style, the book is a 200-page study of one family. We learn about the dreams, fears, and neuroses of the insecure Mr. Ramsay, the blissful James, the listless Lily, all in painful detail.

But one character resonated with me more than the rest: Mrs. Ramsay. The matriarch of the family, she uses her impressive social agility to make everyone feel welcome. I wish I had the grace that she does.

However, Mrs. Ramsay is not everything that she wants to be. She is trapped by the gender roles of her time. She has her own insecurities and fears. But by leveraging her self-awareness and social prowess, she extends her influence beyond her domestic station.

At times, I’ve also felt limited by circumstance. But like Mrs. Ramsay, I try to do the most with the resources available to me, trusting that my commitment to others will have an impact that is profound and lasting.

A Painting that Influenced Me

Note: Given the intense emotional content of the painting, I have blurred it on my site.
You can see the unedited painting at MFA Boston or their website.

The Slave Ship (1840)
J. M. W. Turner

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Boston, Mass.

35.7” by 48.3”
(90.8 cm by 122.6 cm)
oil on canvas

“The Slave Ship” is intense. It depicts the disgusting practice during the slave trade of throwing (living) enslaved people overboard to collect insurance money. The scene is frantic and depraved.

When I first saw the work in person, it overwhelmed me. The emotion is arresting. At the same time, it is a forceful reminder of the limits of our understanding. Given my privileges and unique vantage, I can never truly appreciate the terror of those victims.

But even if I can never fully understand another’s suffering, I can commit myself to the hard work of trying. I can listen, elevate the voices of those who have suffered, and contribute to the fight for justice. I have taken this goal to heart and believe that my work reflects my commitment to what is right.

J.M.W. Turner also recognized his privileges and used them for good. He likely intended for “The Slave Ship” to have political ramifications, as he timed its exhibition with two abolitionist conventions.