All posts by SwiftiePGH13

F1-USGP and Taylor Swift

F1 USGP –Austin, Texas

I wanted to write this article because the US F1 Grand Prix at Circuit Of The Americas in Austin, Texas is quickly approaching. This year’s race weekend, (October 21-23) is on pace to be bigger, better, and more exciting than ever! I am very excited to share that I will be attending the festivities all weekend long. The race is sure to be a good one!

The announcement that superstar performer and 10x Grammy Winner Taylor Swift would be headlining a concert (her only concert of 2016) during this year’s race weekend enticed a lot of non race fans to attend from all over the world. Speculation that this may be where Taylor debuts new music will likely even bring more attention to the race. But that is something we will just have to wait and see. More recently, additional festivities were added including a post-race concert from R&B artist The Weeknd, a downtown takeover fan fest, and performers and acts of all types at the track!

The just under 200 mile race will take place on Sunday, October 23 and is certainly going to be one to remember. Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton are neck and neck in the championship standings. Also of note is that this race will be one of the final events for talented Brazilian driver Felipe Massa, who tearfully announced his retirement earlier this year.  Massa has been a driver for a long time and his career almost ended in a tragic fashion during qualifying for the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix. Massa was struck in the head by a part that came loose from a car in front of him; that piece fractured his skull and nearly ended his life.

Fans from everywhere are hoping that the race weekend will be wonderful. Last year, the race did not go as planned because of a big rainstorm. Hopefully this year, the weather is sunny and rain free!

Since I am most excited about the Taylor Swift concert, I thought it would be fun to name the 15 songs that I think are going to make up the set list.

First up is music from Taylor’s self titled album which was released in 2006.

1) Tim McGraw- (her first single). This would be a throwback that would mean a lot to her fans.

2)Our Song-a song that Taylor wrote for a high school talent show. This song was very popular and is an exciting, cheerful hit that would be sure to bring smiles to the audience’s faces.

Other songs that did not make the cut: Teardrops On My Guitar—this song is wonderful and full of emotion but sadly, I don’t think Taylor would include it in the set list because the person this song was written about got into some legal trouble for abuse of a child earlier this year.

Next is music from Taylor’s second album, Fearless, which was released in 2008.

3) You Belong With Me- a mega hit that Taylor wrote during her time in high school that is totally relatable. This song is often requested and may be my favorite Taylor Swift song of all time!

4) Fearless- this song really encompasses the theme of going for something even if you are afraid.

5) Fifteen- a song about growing up and learning important lessons that Taylor wrote about freshman year of high school. The line “Back then I swore I was gonna marry him but I realized some bigger dreams of mine” would be the perfect time to pause and look at the crowd for some much deserved applause.

Speak Now, which came out in 2010, is next on the list.

6) Love Story- a very well known and well liked song. Taylor loves playing this one at concerts (it has been on every tour’s set list). Most recently, it got a 1989 remix. It will be exciting to see what she does next!

7) Mean- a catchy song with its country twang that she wrote about a critic has become an anti bullying anthem showing that whispers behind your back don’t define you.

8) Sparks Fly- This song has a great sound and seems to be loved by Swift and her fans. Taylor included this song on the set list for 2 tours.

RED is the next album and it was full of hits. It came out in 2012.

9)We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together- So catchy. Great Break Up Song that Taylor wrote when an ex came back to her.

10) I Knew You Were Trouble- Powerful song that got a remix for the latest tour but is sure to delight.

11) 22- Basically EVERYONE KNOWS THIS SONG. This will get people dancing and is so fun. I’m looking forward to it because this would be the only time I’d get to hear 22 live while being 22!

1989. Record Breaking and Iconic, 1989 is the album of the century….ok maybe the greatest of all time.

12) Blank Space- a satirical song about the media’s opinion of Taylor. Described by her as “the biggest song I’ve ever had”

13) Shake It Off- a true earworm. A well known , feel good song for all ages.

14) Out of The Woods- Swifties love the power that this song has. One of the most loved tour performances and the song Taylor decided to perform to open this year’s Grammy Awards

15) Style- A fun song that encompasses the feel of the album.

2015-2016 Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins

Hello everyone !

They did it- the Pittsburgh Penguins have defeated the San Jose Sharks to win the franchise’s 4th Stanley Cup and 2nd in the past 10 years! I’ve been a fan during both Cup victories and I can tell you, there is nothing like it!

The Pens overcame a lot to make it to the top, of course in my opinion they deserved to be hoisting the cup this June. This season was tough and for a while I wanted to stop watching games because of frustration. In October the team was mess and I was devastated; everything I loved about the team was gone. Players were fighting with each other and there was no sense of pride. How can a team expect to win when they can’t even get along? Hockey is a lot about teamwork and having a family-esque atmosphere. The NHL season is a long one, 82 games, and the Stanley Cup is described as the toughest trophy to win in all major sports. To make it through the season with a winning record, a team has to work together and want to win.

I want to focus on a crucial point in the season- the firing of coach Mike Johnston right around the 30 game mark. He HAD to go. He was replaced by Mike Sullivan who was familiar with the system because he was coaching the Penguins AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins when he was called to coach the NHL team. Having coached some of the players in the minors, Sullivan came in already comfortable with a lot of the players- I believe that was very important. Sullivan is a completely different type of coach compared to Johnston.

He instilled a sense of pride and togetherness in his players. All of a sudden they were a part of something bigger and they all had important roles. This was the first season I can honestly say that EVERY player had a significant impact. In past years the story every game was Crosby this and Malkin that. Don’t get me wrong – I love these two guys and they are elite skilled players. But it was so refreshing that it was the Penguins vs. the Sharks and the Penguins vs. the Rangers. Players young and old stepped up. Brand new NHL faces and players who didn’t live up to their potential on their old teams both shined night after night. Key injuries happened- players like Malkin, Fleury, and Daley missed a significant amount of games. But do you know what never changed- players were ready to step up and contribute to fill in their places.

Speaking of injuries, I’d like to take this time to talk about some of them. First off, young Finnish defenceman Olli Matta missed a lot of time due to complications resulting from cancerous growths. Fellow defenceman Kris Letang missed weeks because he suffered a stroke. Perhaps the most heart breaking injury was suffered by forward Pascal Dupuis. Dupuis was in the league for many years; and a member of the Penguins for several- including the championship 2009 season. He missed a lot of time with injuries; in fact, he had to hang up his skates and quit the game he loved because of his health issues. Seeing him raise the cup meant a lot to longtime fans.

So here we have it- the cup is going back home where it belongs. Myself, thousands of fans and a city of supporters are beyond delighted to welcome it back. Since 2009 there was a lot of talk that the Penguins were not performing as well as they should have. To all the haters: hockey is hockey- there are a lot of ups and downs, it takes a lot of pieces and sometimes a lot of luck to win the cup. Some chances were taken with lineups and free agents and trades- sometimes they work out and sometimes they don’t. Fortunate for the Penguins, they were able to go on the ice every night with a stacked team who was ready to take on the competition.

Congratulations to the players, coaching staff, training and equipment staff, management and supporters. Each person, no matter the size of his or her role helped the Penguins make it to the top.