Wednesday, May 23, 2007

The 97 Compilation for the 100th

97! So this is way late in coming, but I’ve been a busy guy. I asked for you to provide the soundtrack for the celebration of the 101st class. The theme was to think back to our days on campus and send along any song that brings you back to old Columbus town. You responded with a few songs about home, a couple about moms, and plenty of great memories. There is not a song from everyone, and more than one from a few. The creation is 2 compilations, 28 songs in all, to remind you of our good times as a Buckeye, your fellow links, and that weekend 4 (holy shit! four whole years!) years after we all came together for the first time…and then all managed to come back together one more time. It was a truly excellent weekend. I thank you all for making the effort to return to our “second home” and most of all, I thank you for you friendship. Let me know if you still need a copy of the compilation.

Disc One

1. Lit Up – Buckcherry

Our favorite Bolivian PCV made me promise to include this one. Ben used to pop this song in as we cruised around campus in “White Rice”. It did not take long before this song became our theme for riding to Sphinx meetings together. Best played very loud!

2. Who Says You Can’t Go Home – Bon Jovi (featuring Jennifer Nettles)

This one comes straight from Maine…thanks to Mikal Nolan for the perfect anthem for this past weekend.

3. Hey Ya – Outkast

This one got a mention from Ms. Buker and I grabbed it for the mix because it also would have been a pick from our Bolivian PCV’s dad. Yep, Joe Ranz digs Outkast and he was in the Homecoming Parade with 97, so here you have it!

4. Shake Ya Tail Feather – Nelly

This song would have most certainly been the K-Mart pick had she any recollection of the night she made the title phrase famous during our advance to Wisconsin. The game, well it was wet and cold and we lost. But Kristi totally redeemed it all with a mischievous/drunken grin and that little whisper “Shake your tail feather.”

5. Hot in Herre – Nelly

This is one more that was just played so many times during our college days and so nicely rounded out a solid hip-hop section on the mix. It also delivers a solid message to young college girls everywhere.

6. Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader

Yes, this song has appeared on a Sphinx mix before (Wisconsin Advance Disc 2 for those of you keeping score at home), BUT this song IS Kerry Buker and as she so appropriately noted, it became even more so after that Wisconsin mix. I know I will never be able to hear this song without imagining Buker tearing up the dance floor.

7. Hold My Hand – Hootie and the Blowfish

OK, so I had to get in my Hootie! To me this song is just classic and full of all kinds of hope and friendship. It became one of my favorite Hootie songs when Ranz and I went to see them live at the Fraze in Dayton for my birthday freshman year and they played this last in the encore…f-ing sweet.

8. Second Home – O.A.R.

Just the perfect song for the weekend. As Frank put it when he sent it to me, “Listen to the lyrics.”

9. The Joker – Steve Miller Band

Thanks to Josh for calling out this one for inclusion on the mix. Fantastic song to sing really loud at a party when you are wasted and as Josh mentioned, “I think every time I was at 4 kegs or walking past it, this song was on.”

10. Home – Marc Broussard

Jammers is all full of blues with this pick. Obviously a solid pick for a weekend at, well, home. I think that this song becomes Tynan’s theme song when he lands in New Orleans this fall. I call Tynan’s couch for Mardi Gras 2008!

11. In the Sun – Joseph Arthur

A little something to slow things down…thanks Gosnell!

12. We’re Going to Be Friends – The White Stripes

This is a classic brought to us by Mikal Nolan, and I believe it was also featured on the Ranz Sphinx Slide Show.

13. History Repeating – Propellerheads & Miss Shirley Bassey

Thanks to everyone’s favorite music educator from 97 for introducing us to one that I bet wasn’t already in your play list.

14. Sphinx Song (The Original) – Mizzelder

I mean, seriously, has there ever been another point in your life where you knew someone that wrote a song and lyrics and performed that song right in front of all of those people that the song was about? Honestly? Have you ever even heard of someone doing something that cool? Ever? Of course not. Elder = Awesome. Thanks to Tynan for ensuring this one did not get overlooked.

DISC TWO

1. Hey Girl – O.A.R.

Nothing like one more dose of this Columbus favorite to kick of the second CD. Specht provided the suggestion and I think the song is awesome and I can’t even begin to count the number of times I rocked out to this one driving up and down 71 from Cincinnati.

2. Amsterdam – Guster

So here, I must come clean. First of all it must be said how awesome this song is. I saw Guster live in DC a couple of months back and my night was made as soon as they played this song. I have great memories of going to see Guster after the inaugural Rock the Block. But, I digress from the real explanation necessary here. Sarah Elder picked an incredibly thoughtful song with a great memory attached – All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey. As Sarah pointed out, that song brings you straight back the Sasso Christmas bash. We decided that for the sake of the mix, Guster was the right fit, but this one definitely deserved a mention.

3. Ignition (Remix) – R. Kelly

Right now stop everything you are doing and go find the video online of the crazy Asian kids at Duke making this song so freaking hilarious. Multiple Links requested this one and I must admit it was at the top of my own list.

4. Stacey’s Mom – Fountain of Wayne

Had Nate sent in a song this would have been it. Instead like five others recommended it for him. How come all I can seem to think about right now is Ranz without a shirt on?

5. When You Were Young – The Killers

Another from Spechtacular. Solid.

6. Take Your Mama – Scissor Sisters

I had never heard this, but it totally bums me out that it took long of my life before I did. This is such a fun song. Thanks Gosnell! And word to your respective mothers.

7. Flying Horses – Dispatch
Becky Tippett called in this song because it brings her straight back to the dorms in Lincoln Tower. Dispatch is one of those bands I discovered while is college as well. Check them out if you haven’t already.

8. Let Go – Frou Frou

Hooray for Uma passing along this solid tune. I think you might be able to find it on the Garden State soundtrack, but it sounds to me like a Grey’s Anatomy cut…Speaking of which, did anyone see the season finale??!!? Is Burke gone for good? What is going to happen to George? And is Meredith’s half-sister going to steal McDreamy? I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it through the summer.

9. Piano Man – Billy Joel

Let’s hear is straight from T: At the Mirrors dance senior year (my first), I came running in late because of some random prior engagement. "Piano Man" came on as soon as I came in and I was immediately pulled into the circle of 97 by one link or another before I even had time to put my stuff down. Everyone greeted me with a big "T!!" and we proceeded with our off-key, yet fabulous, swaying rendition of the song. It's silly, but always what I think about when I hear the song - standing in the ballroom at The Blackwell, looking all snazzy and swaying in a circle of 97 to this song. This was before our spring quarter of madness and when people got really close and we would sing this every chance we got...this was the beginning....

10. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters – Elton John

This became the song of the swaying circle. I cannot listen to this without hearing Ranz at the part where he sings “…Good morning to the night” and then the notes on the piano that Ben would sing when he was rather intoxicated “boop boop beep boop booo!!!”

11. Seasons of Love – Rent Soundtrack

I never got the chance to see Rent, but I remember everyone going on trips through the dorm to go see it and people listening to the music in Bradley Hall. But this song isn’t for my memories, Dave Tynan called in this one as a must for the mix of OSU memories.

12. Time to Say Goodbye – Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman

This one came in from a few people. Well, now it is just one more thing to remind me of how I missed the trip to Vegas…but I digress. So the crew was standing outside of the Bellagio watching the amazing fountain show as this song played…A moment that became an instant memory. Who’s planning Sphinx Takes Vegas II??

13. Hang on Sloop – The McCoys

The official rock and roll song of the State of Ohio. If this doesn’t make you think Ohio State…well, never mind, of course it does.

14. Carmen Ohio – Cie Grant

I still can’t believe that I was going to a school when it won the NCAA football championship. What an amazing season with so many great memories. This sums them all up with a great rendition of the Alma Mater by one of the team’s great players. Thanks to Cindy for making sure we had this one to wrap it all up. How firm thy friendship…no doubt. All the best!

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

You guys rock!

Wow, this was such an amazing weekend. I'm already looking forward to the next reunion whenever we do it! Did I hear a next year? Bring it, sunrise!

-David

SPHINX 101 Linking Day


SPHINX 100th Anniversary

Friday, May 11, 2007

The Sphinx Tattoo


So I'm finally starting to download my photos from last weekend and I came across this one of someone's Sphinx tattoo on their ass. I'm not sure if you noticed at first glance, but that's Goz in the picture as well. She's about as excited as I was when I saw this at the linking party. Does anyone know who this is? We need to give them an award or something. We flirted with the idea of tattoos when we were in Vegas, but this guy obviously went through with it! Sphinx 97 lauds this display of dedication to Shinpx.

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Thursday, May 10, 2007

Sphinx Eye Candy

When can we do it all again? Brilliant weekend!

Cheers, Mikal


Sphinx Weekend



Tuesday, May 8, 2007

One of my favorite Ben Ranz quotes

As Uma and I are preparing to pull away from the Holiday Inn, this crazy, screaming mop of black curls comes running our way. J. Ben was coming fast & furious to say his goodbyes before we shoved off. Having just driven into the parking lot himself, our clean water crusader didn't have time to grab his keys and still catch Uma & I. So, as any dedicated, safety-conscious friend would do, Ben locked his car (with the keys securely inside).

After some creative maneuvering through the sunroof with a coat hanger - remember, Ben does have a mechanical engineering degree - we were able to pull the keys to safety without a fumble. Ben's reaction, "I can't wait to tell my friends in Bolivia about this... they're gonna be like, 'why did you lock your car'?"

Sphinx celebrates 100th anniversary - Campus

Sphinx celebrates 100th anniversary - Campus

Clinton adds OSU to commencement tour - Campus

Clinton adds OSU to commencement tour - Campus

Sphinx Drinks! The Video

A little over a year ago I put together this sweet video of the cheer. I think you all will enjoy it. Rock out.

-Ranz

Monday, May 7, 2007

Sphinx Song 3.0

By: Sarah Elder

Any attempt on my part to express how much I loved this weekend would absolutely fall short. So instead, I will let my music speak for me as we artists do.

And just as a sidenote, Murph ganked the final version of the lyrics from me. I'm thinking she was looking for a one-of-a-kind souvineer, but she'll probably respond to this with some kind of "explanation." Anyway, this is from the rough copy, so there may be slight variations from what you heard during the Live at Orton performance, but the sentiment is still the same...

SPHINX love,
Sarah
------------------------
So I’m sitting on the plane, and it’s just minutes before take-off
I’m wondering why I made this crazy plea
But everyone chipped in, so time to hold on to your belts, kids
Here we go—it’s the SPHINX song, version 3


Katy has a new last name
Not Cindy Cryder—she kept hers the same
Zach is getting his MBA
Mikal might have running water someday

CHORUS
You gotta love SPHINX
The 97th class, all 26 links!
You gotta love SPHINX
(2x)

Tippett’s working on her PhD
In Chi-town, so is Bobby T.
Kirk works in the OEOB
Tynan’s gonna get a law degree
(so he can pursue his life dream of becoming Brad Meyers!)

CHORUS

Molly does lacrosse—go Skywalkers!
Santilli’s teaching the future rockers
Elder’s still teaching science—that’s fine
It’s my song, so I get another line

CHORUS

Gos’ll be a doc in a year or two
Not Nate—he’s got six more to do
The teacher has become the student (Lenore)
Uma’s gonna have to listen to Frank snore
(Forever! Because they’re engaged! 5 second applause break for Frank and Uma!)

CHORUS

Sam is stylin’ in New York
Buker still does not eat pork
Ranz lives in the third world, Bolivia
Unlike Upper East Sider Bagolivia

CHORUS

Spechtacular works in climate change
Josh makes his home out on the range
Kristi will soon be a resident
I say Dan Jaynes for president
(Who’s with me? Jammers 08! Jammers 08! Jammers 08!)

CHORUS

Tahira's/Tippett's Pictures

Sphinx 97


Frank's Pictures - CLICK HERE