AK VIII

Ladies! It’s that time again – ready to rock? 2008 saw many developments and momentous events. 8/8/08 the world was reintroduced to China. Michael Phelps made history with his 8 gold medals. All of our retirement funds went down by a factor of 8. 8 years of W came to an end awakening the nation to a time of change. While this year’s visual theme and content might come across as partisan, no matter who you voted for 2008 was an historic and uplifting tide of change. We have seen an America where you can be anyone and go all the way – a lesson AK Ladies live every day. Yes you can, ladies…yes you can.

1.)                   A-Team theme song: AK8 brought to you by the Adelman ladies, otherwise known as your “8-eam.”

2.)                   Rock DJ, Robbie Williams: For those of you who club European style, Robbie will be no stranger. A tune to get you all up and at ‘em.

3.)                   Into the Groove, Madonna: After Robbie gets your blood pumping, turn to Madonna – one of the all time most ass kicking-est women EVER – to keep going strong. This song also kicks off a special mini-AK8 homage to the “8”-ties…the greatest known decade.

4.)                   Warrior, Pat Benetar: Another 80s power chick anthem.

5.)                   Barracuda, Nancy Wilson: Bean lobbied passionately for the hard rockin’ girl power tune.

6.)                   Better be Good to Me, Tina Turner:  A shout out to an original AK-trailblazer. Ms. Turner is touring at 68 – holy legs, batman! She TOTALLY rocks.

7.)                   Betty Davis Eyes, Kim Carnes: “She’ll control you. She’ll own you.” Yeah, you know it.

8.)                   If You Think I’m Sexy, Rod Stewart: All you AK-ers are totally sexy…we’ll come on baby and let you know.

9.)                   Peach, Prince: Before he was a sign. Before he was a Jevohah’s witness. And before his prince of purpleness moved to NYC from his native Minneapolis, Prince sang old school, often dirty tunes about awesome women. This b-side track is one of his classics.

10.)               Super Girl, Saving Jane: Jess got this one from the Carolina Panthers’ cheerleaders pre season game. It’s awesome.

11.)               Settlin’, Sugarland: Never settle ladies – for anything less than everything.

12.)               Dreams are Made Of, Hillary Duff: Many of you secretly come to us during the year and admit anything by Hillary Duff on AKs are often your favorite tracks…its ok, we know.

13.)               Big Star Machine, Superchick: So many people are here today, gone tomorrow. But not you ladies…you’re the real deal.

14.)               I’m a Bomb, Natasha Beningfield: She has no safety valve and neither do any of you.

15.)               We Rush, Lucinda Williams: This rocker has a great line in this song, “I’ve got moves I never use.” How bad ass is that?

16.)               Underground, Jason Mraz: Don’t wake until the dream is over.

17.)               Get Up: No idea who sings this, but believe it comes from the Ice Princess Soundtrack. Yikes.

18.)               Get’s You Through Today: Same basic embarrassing issue as above, but we think it’s slightly better as it comes from the Grey’s Anatomy soundtrack.

19.)               Happy Girl, Martina McBride: She and you AK-ers know that the sweetest thing that you’ll ever see in the whole wide world, is a happy girl.

20.)               Yes We Can, Will I Am: Again – doesn’t matter who you voted for, the message inspires and uplifts. It also applies to every one of you.

We are so proud of you in 2008, and always.

Love, Jocelyn & Jessica

AK IX

AK IX - 2009

1 - Good Night - Black Eyed Peas: So, this is THE pump up song of the year and we caved to mainstream pop. But, 2 other AK's have kicked off with great tunes by the Black Eyed Peas so we thought it fitting to continue the tradition. Also, admit it - you really like this song.

2 – Music – Madonna: She always makes AK. No need to explain why.

3 - Money, it's what I want - John Belushi: The theme of this year's AK is all about the money, seeing as how the economy went into free fall, recovered a bit and no one really knows when any of us can retire anymore. But, that said John Belushi didn't let it get him down. And, this song was in Animal House which we all know was based on Dartmouth, so its a good reminder that we should never give up - even when the German's bomb Pearl Harbor.

4 - Must be the Money - Nelly: Just love Nelly and clearly he loves the money, so this song also fits into the theme. 

5 - Take the Money And Run - Steve Miller Band: Billy Jo and Bobby Sue cut loose and headed to ol' El Paso and got shot robbing a man from his castle. Guess things could always be worse, so cheer up!

6- So Much Better – Legally Blonde: So, Jocelyn gave Jessica tickets to Legally Blonde the musical on holiday and it was OMG! Awesome. This song is from the scene when she gets the internships at the law firm and we all know Elle TOTALLY kicks ass.

7 - Party in the USA – Miley Cyrus: She’s taken the world by storm and she’s just a teenager. We still haven’t figured out if she’s one or two people. But, definitely AK material.

8 - Just the Girl - Click Five: Now we're back on the ass kicking theme you've come to expect. All of you are just the girl everyone's looking for (like Lyla - aren't you impressed Jess held out so long before mentioning her???). Flaunt it.

9 - Hey Soul Sister – Train: This is newly out on the radio and definitely going to be a hit. We consider ourselves ahead of the curve. You all can understand.

10 - Fame – Irene Cara: We’ve done Irene before with the flashdance theme, but had to bring her back to celebrate the release of the Fame movie. Everyone’s going to remember you names, ladies. We also needed an 80s warm up number for the next song…

11 - Beat It – Michael Jackson: We simply HAD to give a shout out to memorialize the king of pop. Debated what to put on – Billie Jean? She was obviously an AK-er, as there aren’t many women who have a song entirely dedicated just to them. But, per consultation with insider AK advisors we had to go with Beat It. I mean – it’s about kicking someone’s ass. And, all those who aren’t cool enough to get this CD can just beat it. Seriously.

12 - The Ride - Martine McBride: Martina sings it like it is - life is indeed like a roller coaster. She is also dead on that the best way to shine is to hang on and enjoy the ride.

13 - Viva La Vida - Coldplay: Coldplay talks about when they ruled the world. You ladies don't have to talk about this in the past tense and that is what makes you AK.

14 - Crazy for this Girl – Evan and Jarrad: Just fun cheesy pop.

15 - Keeps Gettin' Better - Christina Aguliera: All of you just keep getting better with age. Moms (to puppies or people), career women, athletes, musicians, friends and all around inspirations in so many ways. You can also be superbitches when you need to, which makes you supergirls too.

16 - Hell Yeah - Montgomery Gentry: We used to be closet country, but we think you guys have realized that we're fully out by now. Listen to the second verse about the woman with the MBA,  plush corner office and don't mess with me attitude. Maybe we'll go through with the tattoo on the derriere....

17 - America - Rodney Atkin: Closing out AK IX, we had to give our vote of confidence to America and her ability to bounce back from adversity. Really, it is your patriotic duty to keep shopping ladies....

18 - Baby Girl - Sugarland: We had to give a little shout out to our newest AKer, the new baby girl Lyla. You are also all someone's baby girl working to be your best like the tale in this song. See you at the Ritz...

19 - Walk On - U2: We love this song when we need to dig a little deeper than just feel good cheese. Anyone who caught these guys on tour this year knows that they kick serious ass, even if they are men.

20 - Defying Gravity - Rachel and Kurt from Glee: We know many of your AKers are Glee fans. If you're not, you should be (Wednesdays on Fox...) A very special AKer gave us the entire Season 1 soundtrack so we have this song, which is originally from the musical Wicked. We love the humor and occasional message from Glee and the song's message is dead on. Keep on flying, higher and higher into our next decade, carrying on the proud AK tradition.

We love you all! Jessica & Jocelyn

AK X

AK X – An Entire Decade of Kicking *ss

Here we are ladies! Our AK 10^th anniversary. Can you believe it? An entire decade of being fabulous. And we all made it look so easy. Congratulations to you all for growing into even more amazing women over the past ten years. You kicked ass then. And you kick double-digit ass now.  

Love, Jess & Joc

Note: We went with a “then and now” theme – some of the pairings are more obvious than others, and some were stretches, but fun nonetheless!

1. Interlude / Bon Jovi – Livin' on a Prayer (Then) – Bon Jovi rocked then and he rocks now. I won't say WE are halfway there because after our first decade of AK, we are just getting warmed up.
2. Glee Ladies – Livin' on a Prayer (Now) – We all know that the Glee chicks are better than the guys and they proved it with this awesome mashup of boy music done with girl power. *************

3. Animal House – State Your Name (Then) – Although a classic, there is no disputing that Animal House is very much “Then”. Also an homage to the Big Green.
4. Ting Tings – That's Not My Name (Now) – None of you ladies have this problem. Everyone knows your names.***********************
5. JJ – Dy-no-mite! – (Then): Over the years, all of us AKers have had some “Good Times” together.
6. Taio Cruz – Dynamite (Now): The song says “I want to celebrate and live my life.” We feel you Taio!*****
7. Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Then):  Annie Lennox is a perennial AKer, then and now. This song IS the 80's.
8. Katy Perry – Teenage Dream (Now): The latest of the fresh crop of AK popstars. All you ladies can still totally rock your skin tight jeans.***************
9. 50 Cent – In Da' Club: (Then) Back then, there was a lot more “in the club” for us AKers than there is now. Just because we have mellowed doesn't mean we are any less fabulous.
10. Flo Rida – The Club Can't Even Handle Me (Now): To quote Garth, “I ain't as good as I once was, but I am as good once as I ever was.” This song is for all you Akers when you DO make it back to the club.*************
11. Def Leppard – Animal (Then) – You ladies are animals (in a good way). Enough said.
12. Neon Trees – Animal  (Now): See #11.******
13. Josh Kelly – Amazing: (Then): Josh Kelly's voice is so sexy. He must be singing to us.
14. Bruno Mars – Amazing (Now): When you ladies smile, the world stops for a while. Because YOU'RE amazing just the way you are.******
15. Dar Williams – As Cool As I Am (Then): As cool as Dar is (which is very), you AKers give her a run for her money.
16. Mike Posner – Cooler Than Me (Now): Sigh. It is so difficult to be us. Whenever you ladies walk into a room, people can't help but to feel this way about you. It's just our cross to bear.******
17. Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal (Then): We miss him so much. And who the heck is Annie anyway? She must have been an AK er to have Michael so worried if she’s ok.
18. La Roux – Bulletproof (Now): All you smooth criminals are totally bulletproof. And hard as nails.****
19. Julio Iglesias – Escape (Then):  A classic for spandex or dance pants. Of course, spandex was the “then”. Now is “yoga pants.”
20. Cascada – Evacuate the Dance Floor (Now): As we close out a decade of ass-kicking, we leave countless hours of tearing it up on the dance floor (and everywhere else). But don't worry, our second decade of AK begins... NOW! Rock on, ladies.*********

AK XII Listening Notes - 2012

So here we are. AK is going high tech. If you are truly cool and with it you made it to this website. If you didn't, well you are off next year's mailing list because you don't actually kick any ass.

Here is the run down for this year's compendium:

1.) Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen: yes, we know. Totally overplayed. But, we also know that it doesn't really stop you from turning it up in your car/minivan/CHEVY VOLT/iPod when it comes on. Anyone who can create a meme like this deserve to kick off this year's AK. Also, the US Swim Team was ahead of the curve and so stinking cute when they did theirs. Oh, and they brought home a TON of hardware. Now that is kicking a little you know what.

2.) That's What Makes You Beautiful - One Direction: Boy bands! They're BACK...alright! For some of us they never left, but let's keep that on the DL. These guys are singing about a girl who lights up their life. Yeah, you know they're talking about you.

3.) Chocolatte - Choco Choco: This if for my little AK-ette in training. Lyla was a hershey's kiss this year in her school show and danced around on stage to this. Yes, my only real job is to keep her off the pole so I am indeed watching this trend.

4.) The Hardest Ever - will.i.am: All the athletes for the Olympic games were grooving to this tune. Oh, and exactly how big an AK-er is the Queen. She totally rocked the opening ceremonies...

5.) Glad You Came - The Wanted: I am always glad all of you came. Our universe will never be the same!

6.) 21st Century Girl - Willow: Yeah. Y'all are so mod.

7.) Ready or Not - Brigitte Mendler: Always ready. Duh!

8.) Say My Name - Florence & the Machine: An AK-er's name is truly always on everyone's tounge.

9.) Bad - Michael Jackson: So, I truly don't remember if this has been on or not before...but, even if so he deserves it. He was that awesome.

10.) The Fighter - Gym Class Heroes: Tough enuf.

11.) Superman - REM: This is one of our all time favorite tunes. REM never goes out of style.

12.) Live like a Warrior - Matisyahu: Another clutch track from the Athlete's village in London.

13.) Everybody Talks - Neon Trees: Who, us???

14.) Man, I feel like a Woman - Shania Twain: A little kicky country never hurts.

15.) Hall of Fame - The Script: Eponymous.

16.) Make It Shine - Victorious Cast: I guess this is like a Glee for tweens. Am sure we'd love it if we had time to watch TV...

17.) Celebration - Madonna: Our annual tribute to her Greatness.

18.) Marry You - Bruno Mars: BEAN IS GETTING MARRIED!!!! I mean, how could Dr. Andy NOT want to marry her. She is a fabulous AK-er. A special shout out to her. We love you Jocers! Here is to a lifetime of happiness.

19.) Home - Philip Phillips: So, maybe his mom wasn't necessarily an AKer with that name. But, no matter where this CD finds you this year may home be in your heart. We love you all!

Happy everything ladies.

Jocelyn & Jessica