Normally, I don’t plug other blogs unless I’m plugging one of those few there on the sidebar (scroll down, no further, a little further – don’t forget to scroll back up).  They all represent my recommended reads (that I have permission to link to), because let’s face it, I like every one of those people and their web presence makes me happy (even if some of them get lazy and refuse to update regularly – like say, December 2009 – Tony, I’m looking at you).  It’s my way of checking in to see what’s on their mind in a way that Facebook or a Tweet simply won’t satisfy.

However, today is a new day.

Have you ever read the blog 1,000 Awesome Things written by Neil Pasricha?  The set-up is basically that Neil counts down 1,000 simple “Awesome” things on a daily basis (weekdays only).  My understanding is the website began after the author was in the middle of one of life’s curveballs and decided he’d write and share 1,000 things that he found to be “Awesome”.  It’s the kind of site I go to when I’m having a bad day and need a hit of humorous optimism.  (And it’s the kind of site that doesn’t make me feel like I’m coated in syrup or have a sense of dread that tiny people are going to leap out of my computer and force me to join them in a round of “It’s a Small World”  while skipping under a rainbow.)

I could easily find an “Awesome” thing a week to share, but I’m settling for this one:  #467 The Guilty Pleasure Song.  To quote the post

“…we laughed about those songs you don’t really tell your friends about. You know, it’s those tracks on your iPod you’re afraid someone will find, your secret bubblegum pop playlist with the ironic title, or the last track on a distant mix CD that still pulls powerful strings on your achy breaky heart…”

I started thinking about it and I’ve decided to come clean before someone accidentally comes across my iPod (good luck).  It’s Ricky Martin’s “Living La Vida Loca”.  I know, I know, it’s not folksy or even alternative, but most of you already know of my love for Smash Mouth, so it’s not like you didn’t see this coming.

So, the question is: What’s YOUR guilty pleasure song?

From Lori:

From Jennifer (I must confess, Lady Gaga sucks me in, too):

Two more:  This one is from Kendra – one of her many (see comments below).  In 7th grade I remember telling my grandmother I liked the song “Rock of Ages” and she replied, “my mother did, too.”  I stood there blinking at her for several long minutes until my mother cleared it up.

And finally there’s this one, which is also on my iPod and is in my collection of favorites (it’s easily the most embarrassing of the lot):