http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgTzCi37VLw
Up All Night by Counting Crows
This is my life working midnights. I tried to stay up all day today after finishing work this morning at seven. I only made it until 3:30 and slept until 7:30, now I feel crappy and cranky. So I suppose watching the Knights game is more than enough effort for me. I did get some shopping done this morning and will at least feel normal tomorrow. Assuming I do sleep regular hours.
When you enter into a new work environment, you inevitably meet a variety of new characters. I find it funny how the stupid people who presently work there assume you are as stupid as they are. Even funnier is when you know you aren't but they don't.
I guess since I am a geek, I decided to switch over to the American Presidential debate. How long that will last, who knows. I suppose this depends on how interesting McCain and Obama are.
Also, if you didn't see Letterman's rant on McCain after he cancelled a scheduled interview on his show only to appear live on the CBS evening news, it is funny and classic Letterman. The clip and its rant are below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjkCrfylq-E
Below is a piece of writing, I knitted this morning.
A Raggedly Knitted Quilt
The early morning is carefully unfolding before me
A raggedly knitted quilt composed of scrap material
Various early autumn colours arrive and quickly exit
The sun was a blotched ball of red rising in the east
Now it is a yellow haired girl ascending a rollercoaster
Her hands are white clouds waving to the people below
The growing number beginning their day and its ways
I am a creature of the night and its own dark blanket
Falling asleep as an Indian summer starts to emerge
The hours of light are pleasant, happy and slowly fading
Much like kindness can do when it becomes misplaced
Never intentionally but occasionally and accidentally
Love among strangers born from an unknown source
A common loneliness, a momentary need or simple fate
Should anyone believe in anything but randomness
The soon to be falling leaves scattering on the wind
Their destination hardly seems like it is predetermined
Only mother nature and her mysterious ways know
A knowledge greater than our humanity would ever allow
We think we know too much already but really do not
Life teaches each and everyone of us how stupid we are
With each of its passing days and many repetitive lessons
Eventually our stubbornness gives way to an acceptance
We must learn to love ourselves before love locates us
I am not sure whether I will ever make it to this point
The destination is thirty years in the making and breaking
Bones, skin, inanimate objects, dreams, friends and hearts
Regrets unwilling to completely leave my stomach healthy
A sickness remains when the memory of a friend resurfaces
Bringing with it the usual ponderings of where friendship goes
When there is a lack of communication and passage of time
I am not sure about this either but surely it is a flaw in me
The quilt has turned blue but not as dark as it used to be
A lightness lives inside its hue and gives me some hope
Come October or later there will be more reasons to smile
Sporadic addition in my case has to be better than subtraction
I feel like I have lost too much for someone who has so little
Though what has been lost could never really be explained
Like the morning becoming afternoon it just sort of happens
There is a moment on a clock or a fragment in the sky
Nothing more and a lot less depending on our interpretation.
09/26/08
Enjoy the last weekend of September.
john.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
"Hope in a better place is all I need, with moments of innocence and mystery...."
Guns. Kids. School shootings. How many more until the world decides to make them illegal? Of course, guns are not the entire problem but they are part of the problem. Getting rid of them is part of the solution. Making it illegal to have one, unless you are a person of the law is long overdue. Fuck, yes I said fuck, the right to bear arms. Those days have long passed. There was another deadly incident in Finland, a scare in Canada, following 2 previous incidents at schools in Toronto. Throughout American school violence incidents involving guns are almost a weekly occurrence. A gun is a weapon, it is not a right. A gun is a deadly weapon, not a source of protection. How many innocent lives are going to be blown to pieces because no one has the courage to say this is not right? Owning a gun should be a crime, unless like I said earlier you are a person of the law. Hunting should only be done with the supervision of a professional and the guns must be returned once the hunting is finished. Of course, this a dream. No one cares enough or is brave enough to tackle this issue. It is too complicated for some of the smartest people in the world. It is too much work, it is too scary. We are all weak, just waiting to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, we are the hunted.
Stephen Harper, Canada's Prime Minister, is going to make further cuts to the arts. This doesn't surprise me, he is as culturally stiff as a piece of Lego. It is okay, we have American Idol, Dancing With The Stars and U.S. television. Who cares. We don't need Canadian artists, musicians, writers and actors. He might as well hand over the keys to the country to either Obama and McCain. With a Conservative majority, Canada will become a puppet country, remember this when you vote. If you want secrecy and a lack of culture, go ahead and give the keys of this beautiful country to Stephen Harper. Just remember, during the next 4 or 5 years, you will become less Canadian. You will lose your identification, your soul but mostly your heart. There will be nothing left to love about this country. All that will be left is a memory of a what was once a promising country, a young country and a star in the sky. We will have failed to advance as a society, we aren't more conservative, we are Canadian and being Canadian is culturally something special to be. Or at least, it should be.
The countdown returns, since it is Tuesday. The top 100 songs out of 1386. This week's featured song is City and Colour's Waiting. A Canadian band, who because of the arts are able to make a living playing music. Canadian bands might just disappear because Stephen Harper would rather listen to church music or play classical music on his piano. Of course, there is nothing wrong with those things but there is something right about a band like City and Colour.
jr.
Top 100 Songs Listened To This Year On My iTunes Player
1. All The Trees Are Hers by Hawksley Workman (2)
2. The One I Love by David Gray (1)
3. Supernatural Superserious by R.E.M. (5)
4. When I Dream of Michaelangelo by Counting Crows (3)
5. You Can't Count on Me by Counting Crows (4)
6. You Are My Face by Wilco (11)
7. No One's Gonna Love You by Band of Horses (6)
8. Empty by Ray LaMontange (7)
9. Waiting by City and Colour (16)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPC1bN9rxqs
10. Always by Neverending White Lights (8)
11. Guaranteed by Eddie Vedder
12. Boy With A Coin by Iron and Wine
13. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by C.C.R.
14. Hard Sun by Eddie Vedder
15. Say It To Me Now by Glen Hansard
16. Wonderwall by Oasis
17. Calling All Friends by Low Stars
18. Long Road To Ruin by Foo Fighters
19. One by U2
20. Creep by Radiohead
21. O Valencia by The Decemberists
22. Your Heart Is An Empty Room by Death Cab For Cutie
23. A Long December by Counting Crows
24. Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles
25. Hard Candy by Counting Crows
26. Chase This Light by Jimmy Eat World
27. Everything by Michael Buble
28. Thinking About You by Norah Jones
29. Off He Goes by Pearl Jam
30. The Bends by Radiohead
31. Every Part of Me by Sam Roberts
32. Sing by Travis
33. Lemon Parade by Tonic
34. Everybody Knows by Ryan Adams
35. My List by The Killers
36. Gotta Be Somebody's Blues by Jimmy Eat World
37. Cowboys by Counting Crows
38. Hospital Beds by Cold War Kids
39. The Hardest Part by Coldplay
40. Have You Seen Me Lately? (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
41. Accidental Babies by Damien Rice
42. Blanket of Ghosts by Dustin Kensrue
43. Society by Eddie Vedder
44. If You're Gonna Leave by Emerson Hart
45. Falling Slowly by The Frames
46. A Time To Be So Small by Interpol
47. Hannah by Ray LaMontagne
48. Kite by U2
49. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
50. These Girls by Ryan Adams
51. Gold In Them Hills by Ron Sexsmith with Chris Martin
52. You're Always Going Too Soon by Matthew Jay
53. When You Were Young by The Killers
54. NYC by Interpol
55. Love Hurts by Incbus
56. Catapult (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
57. Antichrist Television Blues by Arcade Fire
58. Southern Girl by Amos Lee
59. 1492 by Counting Crows
60. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles
61. Diamonds on The Inside by Ben Harper
62. Against The Wind by Bob Seger
63. Mr. Jones by Counting Crows
64. Oceanside by The Decemberists
65. Your Song by Elton John
66. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature by The Guess Who
67. Naked As We Came by Iron and Wine
68. 1973 by James Blunt
69. Girl In The War by Josh Ritter
70. Alright by Pilot Speed
71. Only The Lonely by Roy Orbison
72. The Blues by Switchfoot
73. The Con by Tegan and Sara
74. Sky Blue Sky by Wilco
75. Miller's Angels by Counting Crows
76. Tears and Rain by James Blunt
77. Los Angeles by Counting Crows
78. Snow Is Gone by Josh Ritter
79. Soul Meets Body by Death Cab For Cutie
80. Elephant by Damien Rice
81. The Weight by The Band
82. Is There A Ghost by Band of Horses
83. Let It Be by The Beatles
84. Baby I Love Your Way by Bob Marley
85. Last To Die by Bruce Springsteen
86. Some Surprise by The Cake Sale (Lisa Hannigan + Gary Lightbody)
87. Trouble by Coldplay
88. Come Around by Counting Crows
89. Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy
90. Anna Molly by Incubus
91. If I Had Eyes by Jack Johnson
92. Mind Games by John Lennon
93. Sunday Morning Coming Down (Live) by Johnny Cash
94. Bedshaped by Keane
95. Invincible by Muse
96. The Painter by Neil Young
97. The Grace by Neverending White Lights featuring Dallas Green
98. Barfly by Ray LaMontagne
99. Thank You by The Redwalls
100. Oh My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams with Emmylou Harris
Stephen Harper, Canada's Prime Minister, is going to make further cuts to the arts. This doesn't surprise me, he is as culturally stiff as a piece of Lego. It is okay, we have American Idol, Dancing With The Stars and U.S. television. Who cares. We don't need Canadian artists, musicians, writers and actors. He might as well hand over the keys to the country to either Obama and McCain. With a Conservative majority, Canada will become a puppet country, remember this when you vote. If you want secrecy and a lack of culture, go ahead and give the keys of this beautiful country to Stephen Harper. Just remember, during the next 4 or 5 years, you will become less Canadian. You will lose your identification, your soul but mostly your heart. There will be nothing left to love about this country. All that will be left is a memory of a what was once a promising country, a young country and a star in the sky. We will have failed to advance as a society, we aren't more conservative, we are Canadian and being Canadian is culturally something special to be. Or at least, it should be.
The countdown returns, since it is Tuesday. The top 100 songs out of 1386. This week's featured song is City and Colour's Waiting. A Canadian band, who because of the arts are able to make a living playing music. Canadian bands might just disappear because Stephen Harper would rather listen to church music or play classical music on his piano. Of course, there is nothing wrong with those things but there is something right about a band like City and Colour.
jr.
Top 100 Songs Listened To This Year On My iTunes Player
1. All The Trees Are Hers by Hawksley Workman (2)
2. The One I Love by David Gray (1)
3. Supernatural Superserious by R.E.M. (5)
4. When I Dream of Michaelangelo by Counting Crows (3)
5. You Can't Count on Me by Counting Crows (4)
6. You Are My Face by Wilco (11)
7. No One's Gonna Love You by Band of Horses (6)
8. Empty by Ray LaMontange (7)
9. Waiting by City and Colour (16)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPC1bN9rxqs
10. Always by Neverending White Lights (8)
11. Guaranteed by Eddie Vedder
12. Boy With A Coin by Iron and Wine
13. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by C.C.R.
14. Hard Sun by Eddie Vedder
15. Say It To Me Now by Glen Hansard
16. Wonderwall by Oasis
17. Calling All Friends by Low Stars
18. Long Road To Ruin by Foo Fighters
19. One by U2
20. Creep by Radiohead
21. O Valencia by The Decemberists
22. Your Heart Is An Empty Room by Death Cab For Cutie
23. A Long December by Counting Crows
24. Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles
25. Hard Candy by Counting Crows
26. Chase This Light by Jimmy Eat World
27. Everything by Michael Buble
28. Thinking About You by Norah Jones
29. Off He Goes by Pearl Jam
30. The Bends by Radiohead
31. Every Part of Me by Sam Roberts
32. Sing by Travis
33. Lemon Parade by Tonic
34. Everybody Knows by Ryan Adams
35. My List by The Killers
36. Gotta Be Somebody's Blues by Jimmy Eat World
37. Cowboys by Counting Crows
38. Hospital Beds by Cold War Kids
39. The Hardest Part by Coldplay
40. Have You Seen Me Lately? (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
41. Accidental Babies by Damien Rice
42. Blanket of Ghosts by Dustin Kensrue
43. Society by Eddie Vedder
44. If You're Gonna Leave by Emerson Hart
45. Falling Slowly by The Frames
46. A Time To Be So Small by Interpol
47. Hannah by Ray LaMontagne
48. Kite by U2
49. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
50. These Girls by Ryan Adams
51. Gold In Them Hills by Ron Sexsmith with Chris Martin
52. You're Always Going Too Soon by Matthew Jay
53. When You Were Young by The Killers
54. NYC by Interpol
55. Love Hurts by Incbus
56. Catapult (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
57. Antichrist Television Blues by Arcade Fire
58. Southern Girl by Amos Lee
59. 1492 by Counting Crows
60. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles
61. Diamonds on The Inside by Ben Harper
62. Against The Wind by Bob Seger
63. Mr. Jones by Counting Crows
64. Oceanside by The Decemberists
65. Your Song by Elton John
66. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature by The Guess Who
67. Naked As We Came by Iron and Wine
68. 1973 by James Blunt
69. Girl In The War by Josh Ritter
70. Alright by Pilot Speed
71. Only The Lonely by Roy Orbison
72. The Blues by Switchfoot
73. The Con by Tegan and Sara
74. Sky Blue Sky by Wilco
75. Miller's Angels by Counting Crows
76. Tears and Rain by James Blunt
77. Los Angeles by Counting Crows
78. Snow Is Gone by Josh Ritter
79. Soul Meets Body by Death Cab For Cutie
80. Elephant by Damien Rice
81. The Weight by The Band
82. Is There A Ghost by Band of Horses
83. Let It Be by The Beatles
84. Baby I Love Your Way by Bob Marley
85. Last To Die by Bruce Springsteen
86. Some Surprise by The Cake Sale (Lisa Hannigan + Gary Lightbody)
87. Trouble by Coldplay
88. Come Around by Counting Crows
89. Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy
90. Anna Molly by Incubus
91. If I Had Eyes by Jack Johnson
92. Mind Games by John Lennon
93. Sunday Morning Coming Down (Live) by Johnny Cash
94. Bedshaped by Keane
95. Invincible by Muse
96. The Painter by Neil Young
97. The Grace by Neverending White Lights featuring Dallas Green
98. Barfly by Ray LaMontagne
99. Thank You by The Redwalls
100. Oh My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams with Emmylou Harris
Sunday, September 21, 2008
"This lithium is heroin to me, it makes it all withdraw, all the anger and loss but it all keeps coming back in the morning......"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZByH7y5FxGE
On Almost Any Sunday Morning by Counting Crows (Live in Paris)
So my internal clock must really be screwed up, I thought yesterday was the last day of summer and it is actually today. Well it isn't as nice as yesterday but it was a pretty good day. I guess my writing from yesterday wasn't authentic but at least it was in my mind; the last sunset of summer. Appropriately enough the Blue Jays were officially eliminated from the playoffs today and ended what was a disappointing season. Though there are few positives to take into next year, too bad we play in the toughest division in baseball. It is a long season and who knows next year it might be a little longer. I only went to one game, I plan on changing that next year, no matter how they are playing.
For music fans Kings of Leon, Morningwood and TV on the Radio will be on Letterman this week, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday respectively. For political junkies, Bill Clinton will be on Monday and John McCain on Wednesday. For comedy fans, Chris Rock will be on Monday. For Paris Hilton fans, she will be on Thursday. Also Olympic champion and the fastest man in the world Usain Bolt will be on Wednesday, with Lance Armstrong most likely talking about his comeback on Friday.
Below is the latest blog entry from Adam Duritz, where he talks about the show they cancelled earlier this month, his drinking and how unpleasant some of the fans can be. Surprisingly he doesn't mention the fact that David and Charlie are "leaving" the band for the rest of the tour to spend time with their families. The band is tremendously tight but I am sure whomever fills in will not be a factor on the rest of the dates. It is counting crows anyway, might as well put as many on stage as possible, some nights their performances remind me of the Last Waltz with a wide assortment of musicians accompanying The Band.
Dated Saturday September 20, 2008
Portland, Oregon
1AM
Let me get this out of the way first. I can't stress how important I think it is for you to vote in this election. It's time for our nation to reclaim it's place as a beacon in the world. We may never set the example we might have around the world again as a leader in foreign policy or diplomacy. It's possible we are just too tied to powerful lobbying interest groups to make those kinds of changes. But there's nothing that says we can't set the example of a country of free men and women banding together to decide our future as one nation.
We CAN remind the world how a democracy truly works, why it works, and why it matters that it works.
A democracy matters because, on it's most basic level, it says that every single person matters. It says that no one person is of lesser or greater importance than another. It disputes and it spits in the face of a way of thinking that had gone on for thousands and thousands of years, basically the entirety of human existence, until we came along two hundred and thirty-two years ago and said there was a better way.
I hear a lot of people talk about patriotism and flags and American values but the truth is there is only one truly American value: your right to vote. It is the definition of America. It is the way we decided to define ourselves that set us apart from all the other countries in the world at that time and it is the reason we fought that first war.
It took 72 years for the first group of women to organize a conference to seriously discuss getting themselves the right to vote and another 72 years of hard fought struggle before they got it. That's 144 years your great grandmother and their great grandmothers fought to secure those rights for their daughters and granddaughters and you. Can you seriously hold so little respect for them in your hearts that you would throw that right away?
For the first hundred years of our nation's existence, we actually had slaves, people considered by some to be less than human. Their children and their children's children hold their own fate in their hands in 2008 but their ancestors paid a heavy heavy price to carry them here over the chasm of that injustice.
We have come to this country from every point across the globe and we have made a pact with one another. We will live here together and we will decide our future together and then we will abide by that decision and live out that future, whatever it may be, together. The proof of the strength of a true democracy does not lie in your ability to elect the person you want; it lies in our ability as a people to lose an election and still abide and stand by the pact. Democracy is hard that way. Sometimes you lose. But we have kept the pact for over two hundred years, failing only once to abide and that one time was the worst disaster in American history.
Our country may not be perfect but the ideal is. And anyway, it's still our country. If you don't like the way something's being done, we have a system in place that allows for peaceful change. All you have to do is take part.
If you're over the age of 18 and you're an American citizen, get yourself registered and vote. Just go to the front page of CountingCrows.com and click on the flag. It'll register you anywhere in the United States for any party you like. Then come out on the first Tuesday in November and take part in the birth of a new nation, one that is reborn over and over and over again. Every time you step in to that booth, you breathe new life into the ideals that began this country two hundred and thirty two years ago.
It's your turn now. There is nothing more important you can ever do for this world than to wake up and be a part of it.
Now for part 2.
Some of you are very unpleasant people.
I will try to explain this as simply as possible so that all of you can understand it. Here's how touring works: The bands make a deal with the promoters and the central point of that deal is The Guarantee. The Guarantee is an amount of money that the promoter has to pay each band every gig whether 15 or 15,000 people show up that night. That $ amount is in the contractual agreement before the tour begins and nothing can change it. If we show up, we get paid. Period.
The only way we can possibly ever lose out on our guarantee is if we fail to play a show. There's no issue about saving money by not playing a show. First of all, we're doing better than 90% of the tours out there but that doesn't really matter. If only 8 people come out to see us play, the promoter is totally screwed but M5 and CC still get paid our guarantee and there's nothing the promoter can do about it. So this idea that we might be trying to save money by canceling a show is just not something a sane person would do. In fact, cancellations are financial disasters for the band because none of the day-to-day expenses go away at all. We don't save ANY money. Trucking companies still have to be paid as do their drivers. Same for the busses and their drivers. The sound and lighting equipment still costs the same amount per week and the salaries of the crews who run them don't disappear and neither do the salaries of our regular crews. Then there is still the costs of everyone's hotel rooms and per diems and on a 6 semi, 10 bus tour, that is a lot of people and a lot of salaries and a lot of hotel rooms and a lot of equipment rental costs.
Basically, it's shitload of money and you still have to pay every single penny of it. The only difference is that you don't get any money coming in that night to offset it. In other words, you just lose an enormous amount of money and it's basically the touring equivalent of the apocalypse.
On top of that, no matter what your reasons, it pisses people off and they decide you're doing it just to fuck with them. I guess I get that a little bit. We play 60 concerts over the course of the summer but there's usually only one in YOUR town so it probably feels like you got singled out to be screwed. I don't know why you'd think anyone would do that but it's that kind of world these days and people just think that way.
I was just thinking I would tell you the exact nature of the illness that caused us to miss the San Diego show but, after thinking about it, I still feel now, as I did then, that it is really none of your business. All I will say is that playing the concert would have been irresponsible and dangerous to even attempt, considering the circumstances, and in our minds was something we just decided was impossible. I have played shows with a snapped ACL, torn meniscus, broken heels, sprained ankles, and i lost about a pint of blood onstage at Sundance a couple years ago...but we were not going to attempt to play on Saturday because we couldn't do it.
I hope the above at least clears the air a little. Whether you know the exact reasons or not, it should be clear that no band in their right mind would cancel a show without a very very good reason.
By the way, nursing a hangover from partying for 2 days before attending the Cal-Maryland game does not constitute a good reason. In the first place, the damn game was on the other side of the country at 9am Pacific time so I doubt I could even have gotten there and in the second place...that's just fucking stupid. I am a 44 year old adult running a corporation responsible for the livelihoods of a great many people. I do not attend football games at their expense.
But let's go back to the hangover theory. What is this insane obsession you all have with me taking painkillers and playing wasted this summer? I know I get lost onstage (I think that's part of what makes us a good band) but why would you think I'd be taking painkillers? I badly injured my heel and my ankle at the beginning of the summer. The last thing I'd ever do would be to take a painkiller when I was injured. It hurts like hell to jump around and off of things with those kinds of injuries but at least you know what you're doing when you're straight. You could seriously fuck yourself up playing a gig injured while doped up on painkillers. The pain is the only thing that keeps you aware of how far you can go.
As far as the drinking is concerned, I can only say that I love drinking. Liquor is an amazing invention and I'm all for it. That said, I haven't touched a drop at a show since the club gigs in NY back in the spring. It just wears my voice down. I can't do it anymore on a long tour. You can believe that or not. THAT I don't really care about. I personally love playing drunk. It's a blast and I've played some of my best shows while out of my tree. I'm sure I'll do it again but I can't do it when I'm playing 44 shows in 60 odd days. So believe whatever you want but that's the truth. Like I said, I think drinking's great and I highly recommend it as the best possible way to get drunk. Few other ways work quite as well. But you're watching me drink either tea or water these days. If you didn't like the show you saw, it's probably just because you thought we sucked that night. We may have. But it wasn't because I was drunk. On second thought, we probably didn't suck. We don't suck much. We may not play the show YOU want but whatever show we play, we pretty much play the hell out of it these days. If you thought we sucked, you were probably drunk or on painkillers or something. Or maybe you just suck.
I read the message boards every day. I know all I see all. You can't hide from me.
Honestly, I'm having a great summer. It hasn't been easy but we've been playing our asses off and my life's never been better. I am, for lack of a better word, happy. Things are changing for all of us. People got married, others settled down, and now we're about to see some brand new children enter our little family. It's a good time. Even Dan and Immy bought themselves pets at the beginning of the summer. They had the cutest little gerbils named Lolita and Einsturzende Neubaten that would run all around the busses making cute little gerbil faces and leaving cute little gerbil shits everywhere. And you should have seen how Immy and Dan doted on those gerbils. They were all so happy.
Actually, come to think of it, I haven't seen either gerbil in weeks. Oh well, everyone still seems really happy and that's what truly matters, isn't it?
ad
"Now both of us have known love before, to come on up promising, like the spring, just to walk on out the door. Our hearts are kind and are hearts are strong. Well, let me tell you what exactly is on my mind."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iTX3-cbWnM
You Are My Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne
Switching musical gears, above is the lead single from Ray LaMontagne's next album Gossip In The Grain. I am looking forward to this collection of music, and I like the instrumental accompaniment of the first single. Hopefully this is a sign of what is to come.
I am still reading novels. I am about 60% through Small Island by Andrea Levy, a story about an Jamaican R.A.F. volunteer in World War II, the British woman he meets and the wife he enters into an agreement with. Sending them both permanently from Jamaica to England, after the war is over. The other book, because I can never just read one, is The Piano Man's Daughter by Timothy Findley. I think it is the third Findley book I have tackled this year and I am only a few pages into it. Having just bought it yesterday during another trip to the used bookstore.
I suppose that is all, I need to rest for work tonight. The weekend begins and ends early when you work midnights.
Buses or busses, I would spell it buses but I am sure Adam knows what he is doing more than me.
john.
On Almost Any Sunday Morning by Counting Crows (Live in Paris)
So my internal clock must really be screwed up, I thought yesterday was the last day of summer and it is actually today. Well it isn't as nice as yesterday but it was a pretty good day. I guess my writing from yesterday wasn't authentic but at least it was in my mind; the last sunset of summer. Appropriately enough the Blue Jays were officially eliminated from the playoffs today and ended what was a disappointing season. Though there are few positives to take into next year, too bad we play in the toughest division in baseball. It is a long season and who knows next year it might be a little longer. I only went to one game, I plan on changing that next year, no matter how they are playing.
For music fans Kings of Leon, Morningwood and TV on the Radio will be on Letterman this week, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday respectively. For political junkies, Bill Clinton will be on Monday and John McCain on Wednesday. For comedy fans, Chris Rock will be on Monday. For Paris Hilton fans, she will be on Thursday. Also Olympic champion and the fastest man in the world Usain Bolt will be on Wednesday, with Lance Armstrong most likely talking about his comeback on Friday.
Below is the latest blog entry from Adam Duritz, where he talks about the show they cancelled earlier this month, his drinking and how unpleasant some of the fans can be. Surprisingly he doesn't mention the fact that David and Charlie are "leaving" the band for the rest of the tour to spend time with their families. The band is tremendously tight but I am sure whomever fills in will not be a factor on the rest of the dates. It is counting crows anyway, might as well put as many on stage as possible, some nights their performances remind me of the Last Waltz with a wide assortment of musicians accompanying The Band.
Dated Saturday September 20, 2008
Portland, Oregon
1AM
Let me get this out of the way first. I can't stress how important I think it is for you to vote in this election. It's time for our nation to reclaim it's place as a beacon in the world. We may never set the example we might have around the world again as a leader in foreign policy or diplomacy. It's possible we are just too tied to powerful lobbying interest groups to make those kinds of changes. But there's nothing that says we can't set the example of a country of free men and women banding together to decide our future as one nation.
We CAN remind the world how a democracy truly works, why it works, and why it matters that it works.
A democracy matters because, on it's most basic level, it says that every single person matters. It says that no one person is of lesser or greater importance than another. It disputes and it spits in the face of a way of thinking that had gone on for thousands and thousands of years, basically the entirety of human existence, until we came along two hundred and thirty-two years ago and said there was a better way.
I hear a lot of people talk about patriotism and flags and American values but the truth is there is only one truly American value: your right to vote. It is the definition of America. It is the way we decided to define ourselves that set us apart from all the other countries in the world at that time and it is the reason we fought that first war.
It took 72 years for the first group of women to organize a conference to seriously discuss getting themselves the right to vote and another 72 years of hard fought struggle before they got it. That's 144 years your great grandmother and their great grandmothers fought to secure those rights for their daughters and granddaughters and you. Can you seriously hold so little respect for them in your hearts that you would throw that right away?
For the first hundred years of our nation's existence, we actually had slaves, people considered by some to be less than human. Their children and their children's children hold their own fate in their hands in 2008 but their ancestors paid a heavy heavy price to carry them here over the chasm of that injustice.
We have come to this country from every point across the globe and we have made a pact with one another. We will live here together and we will decide our future together and then we will abide by that decision and live out that future, whatever it may be, together. The proof of the strength of a true democracy does not lie in your ability to elect the person you want; it lies in our ability as a people to lose an election and still abide and stand by the pact. Democracy is hard that way. Sometimes you lose. But we have kept the pact for over two hundred years, failing only once to abide and that one time was the worst disaster in American history.
Our country may not be perfect but the ideal is. And anyway, it's still our country. If you don't like the way something's being done, we have a system in place that allows for peaceful change. All you have to do is take part.
If you're over the age of 18 and you're an American citizen, get yourself registered and vote. Just go to the front page of CountingCrows.com and click on the flag. It'll register you anywhere in the United States for any party you like. Then come out on the first Tuesday in November and take part in the birth of a new nation, one that is reborn over and over and over again. Every time you step in to that booth, you breathe new life into the ideals that began this country two hundred and thirty two years ago.
It's your turn now. There is nothing more important you can ever do for this world than to wake up and be a part of it.
Now for part 2.
Some of you are very unpleasant people.
I will try to explain this as simply as possible so that all of you can understand it. Here's how touring works: The bands make a deal with the promoters and the central point of that deal is The Guarantee. The Guarantee is an amount of money that the promoter has to pay each band every gig whether 15 or 15,000 people show up that night. That $ amount is in the contractual agreement before the tour begins and nothing can change it. If we show up, we get paid. Period.
The only way we can possibly ever lose out on our guarantee is if we fail to play a show. There's no issue about saving money by not playing a show. First of all, we're doing better than 90% of the tours out there but that doesn't really matter. If only 8 people come out to see us play, the promoter is totally screwed but M5 and CC still get paid our guarantee and there's nothing the promoter can do about it. So this idea that we might be trying to save money by canceling a show is just not something a sane person would do. In fact, cancellations are financial disasters for the band because none of the day-to-day expenses go away at all. We don't save ANY money. Trucking companies still have to be paid as do their drivers. Same for the busses and their drivers. The sound and lighting equipment still costs the same amount per week and the salaries of the crews who run them don't disappear and neither do the salaries of our regular crews. Then there is still the costs of everyone's hotel rooms and per diems and on a 6 semi, 10 bus tour, that is a lot of people and a lot of salaries and a lot of hotel rooms and a lot of equipment rental costs.
Basically, it's shitload of money and you still have to pay every single penny of it. The only difference is that you don't get any money coming in that night to offset it. In other words, you just lose an enormous amount of money and it's basically the touring equivalent of the apocalypse.
On top of that, no matter what your reasons, it pisses people off and they decide you're doing it just to fuck with them. I guess I get that a little bit. We play 60 concerts over the course of the summer but there's usually only one in YOUR town so it probably feels like you got singled out to be screwed. I don't know why you'd think anyone would do that but it's that kind of world these days and people just think that way.
I was just thinking I would tell you the exact nature of the illness that caused us to miss the San Diego show but, after thinking about it, I still feel now, as I did then, that it is really none of your business. All I will say is that playing the concert would have been irresponsible and dangerous to even attempt, considering the circumstances, and in our minds was something we just decided was impossible. I have played shows with a snapped ACL, torn meniscus, broken heels, sprained ankles, and i lost about a pint of blood onstage at Sundance a couple years ago...but we were not going to attempt to play on Saturday because we couldn't do it.
I hope the above at least clears the air a little. Whether you know the exact reasons or not, it should be clear that no band in their right mind would cancel a show without a very very good reason.
By the way, nursing a hangover from partying for 2 days before attending the Cal-Maryland game does not constitute a good reason. In the first place, the damn game was on the other side of the country at 9am Pacific time so I doubt I could even have gotten there and in the second place...that's just fucking stupid. I am a 44 year old adult running a corporation responsible for the livelihoods of a great many people. I do not attend football games at their expense.
But let's go back to the hangover theory. What is this insane obsession you all have with me taking painkillers and playing wasted this summer? I know I get lost onstage (I think that's part of what makes us a good band) but why would you think I'd be taking painkillers? I badly injured my heel and my ankle at the beginning of the summer. The last thing I'd ever do would be to take a painkiller when I was injured. It hurts like hell to jump around and off of things with those kinds of injuries but at least you know what you're doing when you're straight. You could seriously fuck yourself up playing a gig injured while doped up on painkillers. The pain is the only thing that keeps you aware of how far you can go.
As far as the drinking is concerned, I can only say that I love drinking. Liquor is an amazing invention and I'm all for it. That said, I haven't touched a drop at a show since the club gigs in NY back in the spring. It just wears my voice down. I can't do it anymore on a long tour. You can believe that or not. THAT I don't really care about. I personally love playing drunk. It's a blast and I've played some of my best shows while out of my tree. I'm sure I'll do it again but I can't do it when I'm playing 44 shows in 60 odd days. So believe whatever you want but that's the truth. Like I said, I think drinking's great and I highly recommend it as the best possible way to get drunk. Few other ways work quite as well. But you're watching me drink either tea or water these days. If you didn't like the show you saw, it's probably just because you thought we sucked that night. We may have. But it wasn't because I was drunk. On second thought, we probably didn't suck. We don't suck much. We may not play the show YOU want but whatever show we play, we pretty much play the hell out of it these days. If you thought we sucked, you were probably drunk or on painkillers or something. Or maybe you just suck.
I read the message boards every day. I know all I see all. You can't hide from me.
Honestly, I'm having a great summer. It hasn't been easy but we've been playing our asses off and my life's never been better. I am, for lack of a better word, happy. Things are changing for all of us. People got married, others settled down, and now we're about to see some brand new children enter our little family. It's a good time. Even Dan and Immy bought themselves pets at the beginning of the summer. They had the cutest little gerbils named Lolita and Einsturzende Neubaten that would run all around the busses making cute little gerbil faces and leaving cute little gerbil shits everywhere. And you should have seen how Immy and Dan doted on those gerbils. They were all so happy.
Actually, come to think of it, I haven't seen either gerbil in weeks. Oh well, everyone still seems really happy and that's what truly matters, isn't it?
ad
"Now both of us have known love before, to come on up promising, like the spring, just to walk on out the door. Our hearts are kind and are hearts are strong. Well, let me tell you what exactly is on my mind."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iTX3-cbWnM
You Are My Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne
Switching musical gears, above is the lead single from Ray LaMontagne's next album Gossip In The Grain. I am looking forward to this collection of music, and I like the instrumental accompaniment of the first single. Hopefully this is a sign of what is to come.
I am still reading novels. I am about 60% through Small Island by Andrea Levy, a story about an Jamaican R.A.F. volunteer in World War II, the British woman he meets and the wife he enters into an agreement with. Sending them both permanently from Jamaica to England, after the war is over. The other book, because I can never just read one, is The Piano Man's Daughter by Timothy Findley. I think it is the third Findley book I have tackled this year and I am only a few pages into it. Having just bought it yesterday during another trip to the used bookstore.
I suppose that is all, I need to rest for work tonight. The weekend begins and ends early when you work midnights.
Buses or busses, I would spell it buses but I am sure Adam knows what he is doing more than me.
john.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
"The good old days, the honest man; the restless heart, the Promised land, a subtle kiss that no one sees; a broken wrist and a big trapeze......."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cFDzSvKQbY
Read My Mind by The Killers (Live)
Summer is nearly over. Autumn waits like an eager thief and we are its lucky victims.
Today was probably as close to a perfect weather day for the end of summer. The temperature was in the low twenties, barely any clouds and a slight breeze. I had dinner with my grandparents and now I am trying to relax sipping tea at Williams. I say trying because it is fairly busy due to the free concerts across the way in Victoria Park. All the emo kids are making good us of the washroom facilities here.
Really it is just another busy Saturday night in this city like it is in any city. A collection of people converging to destinations of fun or in my case relaxation.
This week I started a new job working midnights and my internal clock is slightly screwed up. Hopefully it doesn't take too long to adjust allowing me to enjoy the late part of the day and early evening. Instead of feeling like I need to or should be sleeping. Also I still hope to blog 4 or 5 times a week but perhaps not right away.
"Time fades into the night, they descend and then they climb, feathers falling through the night, Have you seen Ohio rise? It has been four days and nights..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzbAb8l-OZY
Four Days by Counting Crows (Live)
I wrote the following 2 poems since my last blog entry. Naturally they explore the end of summer and the coming of autumn. I really enjoy the autumn, especially if it is going to be close to twenty most of the days like this coming week is.
Towards A Better Season
A stark naked full moon
Hangs in the morning sky
Exposed by its whiteness
Contrasted against a blueness
The perfect end to summer
Comes with every new step
I take towards a better season
One with colour and happiness
A rarity for me way too often
These days things seem clearer
Not 20/20 vision but much closer
Clarifying our lives is never easy
I have always struggled doing this
The poems have piled up as a result
Allowing love to elude my complexities
Unequal parts of me and not anyone else
Blame for this is strictly mine alone
Hearts cannot feel what does not exist
They can substitute kindness and friendship
Blinding those of us looking for more
Until we have made a mess of everything
Leaving us in a state of loneliness and regret
Before we let hatred creep in like a shadow
Darkening our perspective about people
Their choices and how they are living life
Avoiding looking closer at our own lives
How we let the years pass without progress
Believing we are owed more than we deserve
When in reality we have been given it all
The freedom of being able to find happiness
How precious is this ability and its pleasures
Should we give ourselves a chance to find it
Before the moon becomes too pale and cold
After autumn is but a memory of foliage
Love cannot be found during winter’s hibernation
These are the changing days of its formation
I am quietly inspired by my better vision
The sights and sounds are much more pleasant
An observation not made enough by me.
09/19/08
Summer Has Left But Has It Left Anything Behind
Finely manicured lawns and their gardens
Will soon become trash collectors for leaves
As autumn’s wind begins to blow across them
The last sunset of this summer is now gone
Creating a pink and orange hued memory
I observed it like a painter without his brush
My usually distant green eyes acting as hands
Sculpting the moment until it was perfection
Only to be flawed by my mind’s interpretation
Words are not pictures and eyes are not brushes
Summer has left but has it left anything behind
There is very little worth saving from its passing
I am an absentee walking among the present
Barely noticed by those who are no longer missing
They have found life and its various enjoyments
Contained in each and everyday of its quick passage
Battling through disappointment, regret and love
Until overcoming anything is completely possible
I get dragged down by the meaning of everything
Moments are not lost on me but they are not shared
My intelligence and personality are selfish creatures
Choosing individualism over society’s collectiveness
A treasure is nothing if it is not seen and spent
Expanding its reach and hopefully its final wealth
The number of grateful people attending our funeral
A final goodbye measured only by kindly spoken words
Teary eyed friends, acquaintances, strangers and family
People who our presence has made their existence better
The way they have in our lives or have at least tried
Trying is often enough should it be administered honestly
Happiness can be faked but not long enough for everyone
Certain people are able to see through our demeanour
Despite constant reassurances, denials and half truths
They just know otherwise and we are vulnerable to them
A weakness which does not leave us any more powerless
Being able to talk about life’s problems gives us freedom
Communication when used right is extremely strengthening
Knowing we are not alone in our plight against desolation
Should be of some comfort to us when we shut our eyes
Watching summer’s last moon light up its last evening
A disappointing sight when contrasted against its sunset
I suppose not every sky can be so beautifully coloured
The word appreciation comes to mind and so it stays
When pondering past, present and future friendships
Lessons are actually learned with age and circumstances
Knowledge is a wonderful thing but only in its application
Summer can be inspirational but only in its expiration
Unfortunately this is the way with many aspects of life
Everyone is late in appreciating but we are never too late.
09/20/08
jr.
Read My Mind by The Killers (Live)
Summer is nearly over. Autumn waits like an eager thief and we are its lucky victims.
Today was probably as close to a perfect weather day for the end of summer. The temperature was in the low twenties, barely any clouds and a slight breeze. I had dinner with my grandparents and now I am trying to relax sipping tea at Williams. I say trying because it is fairly busy due to the free concerts across the way in Victoria Park. All the emo kids are making good us of the washroom facilities here.
Really it is just another busy Saturday night in this city like it is in any city. A collection of people converging to destinations of fun or in my case relaxation.
This week I started a new job working midnights and my internal clock is slightly screwed up. Hopefully it doesn't take too long to adjust allowing me to enjoy the late part of the day and early evening. Instead of feeling like I need to or should be sleeping. Also I still hope to blog 4 or 5 times a week but perhaps not right away.
"Time fades into the night, they descend and then they climb, feathers falling through the night, Have you seen Ohio rise? It has been four days and nights..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzbAb8l-OZY
Four Days by Counting Crows (Live)
I wrote the following 2 poems since my last blog entry. Naturally they explore the end of summer and the coming of autumn. I really enjoy the autumn, especially if it is going to be close to twenty most of the days like this coming week is.
Towards A Better Season
A stark naked full moon
Hangs in the morning sky
Exposed by its whiteness
Contrasted against a blueness
The perfect end to summer
Comes with every new step
I take towards a better season
One with colour and happiness
A rarity for me way too often
These days things seem clearer
Not 20/20 vision but much closer
Clarifying our lives is never easy
I have always struggled doing this
The poems have piled up as a result
Allowing love to elude my complexities
Unequal parts of me and not anyone else
Blame for this is strictly mine alone
Hearts cannot feel what does not exist
They can substitute kindness and friendship
Blinding those of us looking for more
Until we have made a mess of everything
Leaving us in a state of loneliness and regret
Before we let hatred creep in like a shadow
Darkening our perspective about people
Their choices and how they are living life
Avoiding looking closer at our own lives
How we let the years pass without progress
Believing we are owed more than we deserve
When in reality we have been given it all
The freedom of being able to find happiness
How precious is this ability and its pleasures
Should we give ourselves a chance to find it
Before the moon becomes too pale and cold
After autumn is but a memory of foliage
Love cannot be found during winter’s hibernation
These are the changing days of its formation
I am quietly inspired by my better vision
The sights and sounds are much more pleasant
An observation not made enough by me.
09/19/08
Summer Has Left But Has It Left Anything Behind
Finely manicured lawns and their gardens
Will soon become trash collectors for leaves
As autumn’s wind begins to blow across them
The last sunset of this summer is now gone
Creating a pink and orange hued memory
I observed it like a painter without his brush
My usually distant green eyes acting as hands
Sculpting the moment until it was perfection
Only to be flawed by my mind’s interpretation
Words are not pictures and eyes are not brushes
Summer has left but has it left anything behind
There is very little worth saving from its passing
I am an absentee walking among the present
Barely noticed by those who are no longer missing
They have found life and its various enjoyments
Contained in each and everyday of its quick passage
Battling through disappointment, regret and love
Until overcoming anything is completely possible
I get dragged down by the meaning of everything
Moments are not lost on me but they are not shared
My intelligence and personality are selfish creatures
Choosing individualism over society’s collectiveness
A treasure is nothing if it is not seen and spent
Expanding its reach and hopefully its final wealth
The number of grateful people attending our funeral
A final goodbye measured only by kindly spoken words
Teary eyed friends, acquaintances, strangers and family
People who our presence has made their existence better
The way they have in our lives or have at least tried
Trying is often enough should it be administered honestly
Happiness can be faked but not long enough for everyone
Certain people are able to see through our demeanour
Despite constant reassurances, denials and half truths
They just know otherwise and we are vulnerable to them
A weakness which does not leave us any more powerless
Being able to talk about life’s problems gives us freedom
Communication when used right is extremely strengthening
Knowing we are not alone in our plight against desolation
Should be of some comfort to us when we shut our eyes
Watching summer’s last moon light up its last evening
A disappointing sight when contrasted against its sunset
I suppose not every sky can be so beautifully coloured
The word appreciation comes to mind and so it stays
When pondering past, present and future friendships
Lessons are actually learned with age and circumstances
Knowledge is a wonderful thing but only in its application
Summer can be inspirational but only in its expiration
Unfortunately this is the way with many aspects of life
Everyone is late in appreciating but we are never too late.
09/20/08
jr.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
"Take a ride and you'll feel what you never found and as the stars are fading out,I hear the angels laughing without a sound,welcome to the beautiful"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVLlSqCcyug
The Beautiful by Five For Fighting
The North American economy is in trouble, anyone who watches or reads the news can figure this out. The stock exchanges in New York and Toronto are vulnerable to lose 4%-5% on any given day, as it did yesterday. Big business got too big, provided too many jobs and produced capital where there was none. Debt wasn't a problem, that was until those lending the money began not to collect. The high interest rates were finally too much, houses were lost and people living above their means got rocketed back down to the ground. There is a lot of blame to go around; government policies, oil reliance and simple greed. Now both the economies of Canada and the U.S. need to adapt and become more energy efficient. This means a huge influx of capital but the problem is that no one wants to foot the bill. The ordinary citizen doesn't want their taxes raised and big business doesn't want to take a chance on the unknown. All people know is the Republican slogan "drill baby drill". A Carbon Tax, what the hell is that, ask Stephane Dion, in his flawed English he will try to explain it like an university professor. Stephen Harper is from Alberta, a province rich in oil and needless to say he is against going green. Canada's environmental record during the past 2 years proves this. So he attacks Dion's ideology by using the dreaded word "tax" and he has scared the Canadian voters. He has scared them so much, he might now be able to gain his treasured majority government. This would complete the man and make him feel like a real prime minister. He would be able to further hide the workings of the Canadian government in secrecy. The cost of the war in Afghanistan, I guess us ordinary Canadians don't need to know this. He says he is going to get us out of Afghanistan by 2011. Canada has been safe from terrorism partly because we are there. This is where the real terrorists are supposed to be, Iraq was just George W. Bush's revenge for 9/11. Both Americans and Canadians have tough choices to make at the polls. Like most people I was inspired by Obama, but his star is fading quickly as his message of change is more talk than substance. In Canada we have no real inspiring leadership, with the exception of Green Party leader Elizabeth May, who is someone with personality and humble intelligence. Stephane Dion would be great, if he was working the Liberal back room and not the face of the party. Stephen Harper cannot be trusted to keep Canada culturally and environmentally safe. He is an intelligent man, a good politician but he sees Canada through 1950's eyes. He claims Canada is a conservative country, we aren't, we are a liberal country. Canada is a welcoming country to minorities, gays, and all types of religion. Stephen Harper's Canada is not seen this way, he would put up a black curtain over these activities, if he could. The fact that the Conservatives will most likely gain a majority scares me. 4 or 5 years of their policies could set Canada back socially many years. This is not to say the country won't grow, become economically stable and militarily secure. It most likely would, but it wouldn't be the same Canada, it wouldn't be the an example of diversity and leadership. Gone would be the open social society fostered by Pierre Trudeau and the fiscal responsibility of Jean Chretien. The Conservatives lead by Brian Mulroney were in power from 1984-1993, these years were socially and economically troubling times for Canada. Their loss in 1993 was embarrassing and it took them 13 years to fully recover, aided by Liberal scandals. Now that Harper has some power, he wants more and a lot of it. He wants to be able to pass his bills without opposition, he wants to be a dictator. I have always seen Canada through Liberal eyes, Canadians should be able to do what they want and be who they are without government interference. Assuming of course, they aren't interfering with anyone else. Our economy, actually the North American economy needs to find better ways of doing business. This means more fuel efficient policies and it means better education to its citizens. I believe this is more of a problem in the U.S. because of money being spent on illegal wars and supporting their oil addiction. These aren't easy times, I don't have many solutions but neither do the politicians. There isn't a single leader in the U.S. or Canada who has proven they will be able to quickly turn around either economy, their attention seems to be focused on other issues. The only time Stephen Harper came to Ontario's aid was just before his announcement of an election. Now with the chance to form a majority government he suddenly has millions of dollars for Ontario's struggling manufacturing industry, yet months ago his governments message was that Ontario needed to diversify on our own. Simply put, we needed to become Alberta, without the resources that they naturally have. But now that we have something Harper wants, election votes, he has a different message. Canada doesn't need another 4 years of Harper but it might be what we get because the alternatives are lacking. Americans are left with a more difficult choice, Obama and McCain are both unknowns. One is about change and the other is about reform. When in reality no one can be absolutely sure what they are about, we Canadians know what Harper is about, it isn't all bad. Do I like it, no, but I am only one of 33 million or so. Canada and most likely America will be fine, there is a lot of good in both countries. There are strong fundamentals of an advanced society and democracy. The people can foster change, even if the leadership is lacking to facilitate this change. It will just be a little harder, much like everything is these days in both countries.
Below is an article about John McCain. The war hero, who is simply becoming a liar
and completely ignorant to the problems of the American economy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/opinion/14friedman.html?_r=1&em&oref=slogin
Well that is enough political commentary, as uniformed as it might be, but it is my blog and my opinion.
The weather has been pretty depressing the last couple of days even for the end of summer. The temperature has been below normal and it has rained a lot. Today is a little warmer and partly sunny but not Indian summer spectacular.
On the weekend I watch the Other Boleyn Girl, it wasn't as good as I had hoped. I figured a movie with two of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman would be better but it wasn't. The script didn't allow for any moving performances and simply put Eric Bana sucked. Though the story of Henry VIII is still one worth watching, no matter how it is protrayed. There is a link to information about the movie below.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467200/
I wrote the following the other night.
A Transitory Glimpse
I have not seen sunlight for three days
This summer is now a memory like a woman
Who cannot be included in my aspirations
She has slowly become a phantom to me
The reality of her presence no longer exists
I am unable to conjure up anything concrete
A month has turned into a year or even more
September rains like it has for many centuries
There is no point counting falling water or tears
Eventually they will all evaporate like everyone
Making everything seem completely meaningless
From behind our perfectly opaque glass windows
I need to find more significance to our existence
The absolute nothingness of it all stalks me daily
Offering not so kind reminders to my mortality
A symbolic goodbye snap of a finger and thumb
Easy as pie cliché but very effective in its message
I would not admit to being afraid of being gone
Though these words and private conversations
Would effortlessly prove how vulnerable I am
All of us might be weak in some form or another
Especially when we are alone and without love
There is strength in numbers, faces and words
Even if we do not believe them anymore ourselves
They fall from our lips like rain late on a Sunday
When the world has seemingly forgotten about us
I think in my case it is more the other way around
How often silence glitters like diamonds on a woman
The sparkling ring telling me to move on and let go
Everything seems so simple when it is only a concept
Reality is something completely different and troubling
Should it be offered more than a transitory glimpse
September is still raining and it is windy like Chicago
I am in need of a good novel with its unique characters
The movies are failing me recently and it is saddening
Hollywood should make us dream of love and its miracles
Instead the city of fake faces is leaving us a failure legacy
Let’s hope the soundtrack is worth listening to for hours
Music has saved my soul many times and will continue to
When everything else has faded like summer’s pretty face.
09/13/08
The countdown will return next Tuesday and will most likey become a bi-weekly one then. Too much work, to tell you what I am really listening to.
Welcome to the beautiful, it is out there, most of the time anyway. Even I have seen it and it is beautiful, go figure. Enjoy what is left of the summer.
jr.
The Beautiful by Five For Fighting
The North American economy is in trouble, anyone who watches or reads the news can figure this out. The stock exchanges in New York and Toronto are vulnerable to lose 4%-5% on any given day, as it did yesterday. Big business got too big, provided too many jobs and produced capital where there was none. Debt wasn't a problem, that was until those lending the money began not to collect. The high interest rates were finally too much, houses were lost and people living above their means got rocketed back down to the ground. There is a lot of blame to go around; government policies, oil reliance and simple greed. Now both the economies of Canada and the U.S. need to adapt and become more energy efficient. This means a huge influx of capital but the problem is that no one wants to foot the bill. The ordinary citizen doesn't want their taxes raised and big business doesn't want to take a chance on the unknown. All people know is the Republican slogan "drill baby drill". A Carbon Tax, what the hell is that, ask Stephane Dion, in his flawed English he will try to explain it like an university professor. Stephen Harper is from Alberta, a province rich in oil and needless to say he is against going green. Canada's environmental record during the past 2 years proves this. So he attacks Dion's ideology by using the dreaded word "tax" and he has scared the Canadian voters. He has scared them so much, he might now be able to gain his treasured majority government. This would complete the man and make him feel like a real prime minister. He would be able to further hide the workings of the Canadian government in secrecy. The cost of the war in Afghanistan, I guess us ordinary Canadians don't need to know this. He says he is going to get us out of Afghanistan by 2011. Canada has been safe from terrorism partly because we are there. This is where the real terrorists are supposed to be, Iraq was just George W. Bush's revenge for 9/11. Both Americans and Canadians have tough choices to make at the polls. Like most people I was inspired by Obama, but his star is fading quickly as his message of change is more talk than substance. In Canada we have no real inspiring leadership, with the exception of Green Party leader Elizabeth May, who is someone with personality and humble intelligence. Stephane Dion would be great, if he was working the Liberal back room and not the face of the party. Stephen Harper cannot be trusted to keep Canada culturally and environmentally safe. He is an intelligent man, a good politician but he sees Canada through 1950's eyes. He claims Canada is a conservative country, we aren't, we are a liberal country. Canada is a welcoming country to minorities, gays, and all types of religion. Stephen Harper's Canada is not seen this way, he would put up a black curtain over these activities, if he could. The fact that the Conservatives will most likely gain a majority scares me. 4 or 5 years of their policies could set Canada back socially many years. This is not to say the country won't grow, become economically stable and militarily secure. It most likely would, but it wouldn't be the same Canada, it wouldn't be the an example of diversity and leadership. Gone would be the open social society fostered by Pierre Trudeau and the fiscal responsibility of Jean Chretien. The Conservatives lead by Brian Mulroney were in power from 1984-1993, these years were socially and economically troubling times for Canada. Their loss in 1993 was embarrassing and it took them 13 years to fully recover, aided by Liberal scandals. Now that Harper has some power, he wants more and a lot of it. He wants to be able to pass his bills without opposition, he wants to be a dictator. I have always seen Canada through Liberal eyes, Canadians should be able to do what they want and be who they are without government interference. Assuming of course, they aren't interfering with anyone else. Our economy, actually the North American economy needs to find better ways of doing business. This means more fuel efficient policies and it means better education to its citizens. I believe this is more of a problem in the U.S. because of money being spent on illegal wars and supporting their oil addiction. These aren't easy times, I don't have many solutions but neither do the politicians. There isn't a single leader in the U.S. or Canada who has proven they will be able to quickly turn around either economy, their attention seems to be focused on other issues. The only time Stephen Harper came to Ontario's aid was just before his announcement of an election. Now with the chance to form a majority government he suddenly has millions of dollars for Ontario's struggling manufacturing industry, yet months ago his governments message was that Ontario needed to diversify on our own. Simply put, we needed to become Alberta, without the resources that they naturally have. But now that we have something Harper wants, election votes, he has a different message. Canada doesn't need another 4 years of Harper but it might be what we get because the alternatives are lacking. Americans are left with a more difficult choice, Obama and McCain are both unknowns. One is about change and the other is about reform. When in reality no one can be absolutely sure what they are about, we Canadians know what Harper is about, it isn't all bad. Do I like it, no, but I am only one of 33 million or so. Canada and most likely America will be fine, there is a lot of good in both countries. There are strong fundamentals of an advanced society and democracy. The people can foster change, even if the leadership is lacking to facilitate this change. It will just be a little harder, much like everything is these days in both countries.
Below is an article about John McCain. The war hero, who is simply becoming a liar
and completely ignorant to the problems of the American economy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/opinion/14friedman.html?_r=1&em&oref=slogin
Well that is enough political commentary, as uniformed as it might be, but it is my blog and my opinion.
The weather has been pretty depressing the last couple of days even for the end of summer. The temperature has been below normal and it has rained a lot. Today is a little warmer and partly sunny but not Indian summer spectacular.
On the weekend I watch the Other Boleyn Girl, it wasn't as good as I had hoped. I figured a movie with two of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman would be better but it wasn't. The script didn't allow for any moving performances and simply put Eric Bana sucked. Though the story of Henry VIII is still one worth watching, no matter how it is protrayed. There is a link to information about the movie below.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467200/
I wrote the following the other night.
A Transitory Glimpse
I have not seen sunlight for three days
This summer is now a memory like a woman
Who cannot be included in my aspirations
She has slowly become a phantom to me
The reality of her presence no longer exists
I am unable to conjure up anything concrete
A month has turned into a year or even more
September rains like it has for many centuries
There is no point counting falling water or tears
Eventually they will all evaporate like everyone
Making everything seem completely meaningless
From behind our perfectly opaque glass windows
I need to find more significance to our existence
The absolute nothingness of it all stalks me daily
Offering not so kind reminders to my mortality
A symbolic goodbye snap of a finger and thumb
Easy as pie cliché but very effective in its message
I would not admit to being afraid of being gone
Though these words and private conversations
Would effortlessly prove how vulnerable I am
All of us might be weak in some form or another
Especially when we are alone and without love
There is strength in numbers, faces and words
Even if we do not believe them anymore ourselves
They fall from our lips like rain late on a Sunday
When the world has seemingly forgotten about us
I think in my case it is more the other way around
How often silence glitters like diamonds on a woman
The sparkling ring telling me to move on and let go
Everything seems so simple when it is only a concept
Reality is something completely different and troubling
Should it be offered more than a transitory glimpse
September is still raining and it is windy like Chicago
I am in need of a good novel with its unique characters
The movies are failing me recently and it is saddening
Hollywood should make us dream of love and its miracles
Instead the city of fake faces is leaving us a failure legacy
Let’s hope the soundtrack is worth listening to for hours
Music has saved my soul many times and will continue to
When everything else has faded like summer’s pretty face.
09/13/08
The countdown will return next Tuesday and will most likey become a bi-weekly one then. Too much work, to tell you what I am really listening to.
Welcome to the beautiful, it is out there, most of the time anyway. Even I have seen it and it is beautiful, go figure. Enjoy what is left of the summer.
jr.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
"Stare in the morning shroud and then the day began I tilted your cloud, you tilted my hand, rain falls in real time and rain fell through the night"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Psf1LkcQOI
Ahead By A Century by The Tragically Hip
It has been a rainy and rather dull Saturday. Actually it was like this yesterday and is supposed to be again tomorrow. So much for a nice last weekend of summer. I suppose it is better than being in Texas and having real rain.
I watched a movie last night that I actually enjoyed. I knew nothing about the movie but found a link to it on the Internet. The movie was called Keith, it tells the story of two completely opposite high school students who form a loving bond. The popular girl and the outcast guy. I thought it was well down along the lines of A Walk To Remember but not as romantic and a little more edgy. I have to admit I smiled when Keith twice mentioned wanting to go to London, Ontario for a truck show. Of course, anytime your hometown is mentioned in a Hollywood movie you notice. The soundtrack to the movie was done effectively by Tree Adams. There is a link to information about the movie below.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435679/
I wrote the following yesterday, it really isn't that good. But it is something.
A Triangle of Love
September has started to shed tears
She is weeping for summer’s departure
Remembering long afternoons of romance
A slow kiss becoming a lasting tickle
Pleasure easily turning into laughter
Underneath a high and hot August sun
With sweat dripping between bodies
Excited hands clutching and fingers probing
Feeling for any crevice or fleshy hardness
Blades of St. Augustine grass caressing skin
Nature creating a triangle of love to remember
When autumn begins changing our hearts mind
With her pretty colours and contrasting light
A fool in July becomes a poet in October
I reflect while she cries and it is clear to me
There will be nothing left but memories
Should we believe something can last forever
Knowing the limitations of humanity is necessary
Should we want to appreciate what it brings
Before watching it all leave like a season
With a little rain, a lot of colour and emotions
Forcing us to gather what we can carry
Everything else is left behind as it should be
For those who can find a way to make it home
Wherever and whatever constitutes this place
A ghost of the past able to live in the present.
09/12/08
A couple of Counting Crows clips from August 21 in Pittsburgh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1B3_2LHwLw
Mr. Jones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHIs-wMm1zk
A Long December
Keep dry.
jr.
Ahead By A Century by The Tragically Hip
It has been a rainy and rather dull Saturday. Actually it was like this yesterday and is supposed to be again tomorrow. So much for a nice last weekend of summer. I suppose it is better than being in Texas and having real rain.
I watched a movie last night that I actually enjoyed. I knew nothing about the movie but found a link to it on the Internet. The movie was called Keith, it tells the story of two completely opposite high school students who form a loving bond. The popular girl and the outcast guy. I thought it was well down along the lines of A Walk To Remember but not as romantic and a little more edgy. I have to admit I smiled when Keith twice mentioned wanting to go to London, Ontario for a truck show. Of course, anytime your hometown is mentioned in a Hollywood movie you notice. The soundtrack to the movie was done effectively by Tree Adams. There is a link to information about the movie below.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435679/
I wrote the following yesterday, it really isn't that good. But it is something.
A Triangle of Love
September has started to shed tears
She is weeping for summer’s departure
Remembering long afternoons of romance
A slow kiss becoming a lasting tickle
Pleasure easily turning into laughter
Underneath a high and hot August sun
With sweat dripping between bodies
Excited hands clutching and fingers probing
Feeling for any crevice or fleshy hardness
Blades of St. Augustine grass caressing skin
Nature creating a triangle of love to remember
When autumn begins changing our hearts mind
With her pretty colours and contrasting light
A fool in July becomes a poet in October
I reflect while she cries and it is clear to me
There will be nothing left but memories
Should we believe something can last forever
Knowing the limitations of humanity is necessary
Should we want to appreciate what it brings
Before watching it all leave like a season
With a little rain, a lot of colour and emotions
Forcing us to gather what we can carry
Everything else is left behind as it should be
For those who can find a way to make it home
Wherever and whatever constitutes this place
A ghost of the past able to live in the present.
09/12/08
A couple of Counting Crows clips from August 21 in Pittsburgh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1B3_2LHwLw
Mr. Jones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHIs-wMm1zk
A Long December
Keep dry.
jr.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
"Last saw your face in a watercolour sky as seas birds argue, a long goodbye, I took your kiss on the spray of endless stars......."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTVKVJjc6Ww
The Hands That Built America by U2
The world changed seven years ago. This much I know. The changes are many and more complicated than my intelligence. My own world has not changed much because of the attacks on New York. Like most Canadians I watched and felt a plethora of emotions. But slowly as the images faded from the televisions, so too did the emotions. They were replaced with other everyday emotions. In other words, my life went on. The way it did for many not directly affected by the attacks. Those lucky not to have lost someone or to know someone who did lose someone. Humanity has continued and will continue regardless of how heinous we are in killing ourselves. Until of course there is no way we can live among ourselves in the environment we have created for ourselves. 9/11 was a product of us, an evil child allowed to act like an adult and every society has since paid for our negligence. Each year the anniversary will mean more or less to us depending on its impact on our lives. The only positive since September 11, 2001 is that America or Canada has not been attacked since. For this George W. Bush and his policies must be praised. Irregardless of personal thoughts on the war in Iraq or the days following the attacks on New York, George W. Bush has kept the continent of North America safe. The price of this has been steep and time will only tell how much steeper it will become, given the scope of his revenge.
"Take a load off Fannie, And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYQWCB4rkDI
The Weight by The Band
I wrote the following today.
Humanity Is About Universal Emotions and Kindness
The leaves have already changed colour
Early in this September of subtle transition
Seven years after the towers disintegrated
Becoming piles of ash, bone and symbolism
Creating hatred and showing kindness
Where there had previously been none
Revenge coming in the form of a war
Miles away from ground zero and its flag
Judgement cannot be made with hindsight
There would be no justice in finger pointing
Blood was needed and blood has spilled
Too much of it for this Liberal Canadian
Calmly immune to tragedy like many that day
A memory placed in glass waiting to shatter
Humanity is about universal emotions and kindness
After all the tears have been cried and dried
Most of us get to live another day on this planet
Whether this is a good thing or not depends on us
Our fingers fragilely hold the delicacy of life
I have seen it slip through and break like dreams
The weight is more than we can carry day to day
Like the song says there are others to put it on
Braver, stronger and smarter in their disposition
People morally superior and internally resilient
The salt of the earth and humanity’s treasures
A red diamond could not cover their worth
We have lost too many of them unnecessarily
Leaving this land of infinite beauty lacking
No matter how happy we are there is sadness
Lying under the surface of wherever we are
Some of us scratch too hard and too often
Bringing it to the light more than we should
Ashamed of our smiles and their warmth
Forgetting this is what would be wanted
By those recently or long ago departed
Should we remember them on days like today
But more importantly on other September days
When the changing colours are more vibrant
Allowing kindness to flicker on their backdrop
Melodies exploding into our heads like fireworks
Their lyrics dripping from our lips like watermelon
Seven years has passed slower or faster for some
Depending on the effects time has on your memories
Hopefully the good ones are able to outweigh the bad ones
When it is finally time to lay down our arms
Making way for another generation of freedom fighters.
09/11/08
Below is a live performance of Holiday In Spain by Counting Crows from last night in Phoenix.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE7xFxOnHE8
Well that is more than enough for today. There will be plenty of other more intelligent thoughts about today, I am sure they will not be hard to find.
Below is Letterman's comments on his first show following 9/11, it says what so many at the time were unable to say or didn't have the forum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xut56q77GK0
jr.
The Hands That Built America by U2
The world changed seven years ago. This much I know. The changes are many and more complicated than my intelligence. My own world has not changed much because of the attacks on New York. Like most Canadians I watched and felt a plethora of emotions. But slowly as the images faded from the televisions, so too did the emotions. They were replaced with other everyday emotions. In other words, my life went on. The way it did for many not directly affected by the attacks. Those lucky not to have lost someone or to know someone who did lose someone. Humanity has continued and will continue regardless of how heinous we are in killing ourselves. Until of course there is no way we can live among ourselves in the environment we have created for ourselves. 9/11 was a product of us, an evil child allowed to act like an adult and every society has since paid for our negligence. Each year the anniversary will mean more or less to us depending on its impact on our lives. The only positive since September 11, 2001 is that America or Canada has not been attacked since. For this George W. Bush and his policies must be praised. Irregardless of personal thoughts on the war in Iraq or the days following the attacks on New York, George W. Bush has kept the continent of North America safe. The price of this has been steep and time will only tell how much steeper it will become, given the scope of his revenge.
"Take a load off Fannie, And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYQWCB4rkDI
The Weight by The Band
I wrote the following today.
Humanity Is About Universal Emotions and Kindness
The leaves have already changed colour
Early in this September of subtle transition
Seven years after the towers disintegrated
Becoming piles of ash, bone and symbolism
Creating hatred and showing kindness
Where there had previously been none
Revenge coming in the form of a war
Miles away from ground zero and its flag
Judgement cannot be made with hindsight
There would be no justice in finger pointing
Blood was needed and blood has spilled
Too much of it for this Liberal Canadian
Calmly immune to tragedy like many that day
A memory placed in glass waiting to shatter
Humanity is about universal emotions and kindness
After all the tears have been cried and dried
Most of us get to live another day on this planet
Whether this is a good thing or not depends on us
Our fingers fragilely hold the delicacy of life
I have seen it slip through and break like dreams
The weight is more than we can carry day to day
Like the song says there are others to put it on
Braver, stronger and smarter in their disposition
People morally superior and internally resilient
The salt of the earth and humanity’s treasures
A red diamond could not cover their worth
We have lost too many of them unnecessarily
Leaving this land of infinite beauty lacking
No matter how happy we are there is sadness
Lying under the surface of wherever we are
Some of us scratch too hard and too often
Bringing it to the light more than we should
Ashamed of our smiles and their warmth
Forgetting this is what would be wanted
By those recently or long ago departed
Should we remember them on days like today
But more importantly on other September days
When the changing colours are more vibrant
Allowing kindness to flicker on their backdrop
Melodies exploding into our heads like fireworks
Their lyrics dripping from our lips like watermelon
Seven years has passed slower or faster for some
Depending on the effects time has on your memories
Hopefully the good ones are able to outweigh the bad ones
When it is finally time to lay down our arms
Making way for another generation of freedom fighters.
09/11/08
Below is a live performance of Holiday In Spain by Counting Crows from last night in Phoenix.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE7xFxOnHE8
Well that is more than enough for today. There will be plenty of other more intelligent thoughts about today, I am sure they will not be hard to find.
Below is Letterman's comments on his first show following 9/11, it says what so many at the time were unable to say or didn't have the forum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xut56q77GK0
jr.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
"But someone, they should have warned you, when things start splitting at the seams and now, the whole thing's tumbling down..."
Late Tuesday, but still Tuesday. The countdown is below, top 200 out of 1369. Same #1, and this week's featured song is No One's Gonna Love You by Band of Horses.
Have a good hump day.
jr.
Top 200 Songs Played This Year On My iTunes Player
1. The One I Love by David Gray (1)
2. All The Trees Are Hers by Hawksley Workman (2)
3. When I Dream of Michelangelo by Counting Crows (5)
4. You Can't Count On Me by Counting Crows (3)
5. Supernatural Superserious by R.E.M. (4)
6. No One's Gonna Love You by Band of Horses (6)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D04LD_UsaU
7. Empty by Ray LaMontagne (7)
8. Always by Neverending White Lights (9)
9. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by C.C.R. (10)
10. Guaranteed by Eddie Vedder (15)
11. You Are my Face by Wilco
12. Wonderwall by Oasis
13. Boy With A Coin by Iron and Wine
14. Say It To Me Now by Glen Hansard
15. Hard Sun by Eddie Vedder
16. Waiting by City and Colour
17. Long Road To Ruin by Foo Fighters
18. Calling All Friends by Low Stars
19. Creep by Radiohead
20. One by U2
21. The Bends by Radiohead
22. Thinking About You by Norah Jones
23. O Valencia by The Decemberists
24. A Long December by Counting Crows
25. Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles
26. Hospital Beds by Cold War Kids
27. Cowboys by Counting Crows
28. Your Heart Is An Empty Room by Death Cab For Cutie
29. Everything by Michael Buble
30. Everybody Knows by Ryan Adams
31. Hannah by Ray LaMontagne
32. Off He Goes by Pearl Jam
33. My List by The Killers
34. Falling Slowly by The Frames
35. Have You Seen Me Lately? (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
36. Hard Candy by Counting Crows
37. Southern Girl by Amos Lee
38. Antichrist Television Blues by Arcade Fire
39. The Hardest Part by Coldplay
40. 1492 by Counting Crows
41. Blanket of Ghosts by Dustin Kensrue
42. If You're Gonna Leave by Emerson Hart
43. Gotta Be Somebody's Blues by Jimmy Eat World
44. When You Were Young by The Killers
45. Every Part of Me by Sam Roberts
46. Lemon Parade by Tonic
47. Sing by Travis
48. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
49. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
50. Chase This Light by Jimmy Eat World
51. Kite by U2
52. Gold In Them Hills by Ron Sexsmith with Chris Martin
53. Alright by Pilot Speed
54. NYC by Interpol
55. Love Hurts by Incubus
56. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature by The Guess Who
57. Your Song by Elton John
58. Accidental Babies by Damien Rice
59. Los Angeles by Counting Crows
60. A Time To Be So Small by Interpol
61. Diamonds on The Inside by Ben Harper
62. Miller's Angels by Counting Crows
63. Oceanside by The Decemberists
64. Society by Eddie Vedder
65. Girl In The War by Josh Ritter
66. You're Always Going Too Soon by Matthew Jay
67. Only The Lonely by Roy Orbison
68. These Girls by Ryan Adams
69. The Blues by Switchfoot
70. The Con by Tegan and Sara
71. Sky Blue Sky by Wilco
72. Catapult (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
73. What Light by Wilco
74. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
75. Telling Them by Starsailor
76. The Painter by Neil Young
77. Sunday Morning Coming Down (Live) by Johnny Cash
78. Tears and Rain by James Blunt
79. If I Had Eyes by Jack Johnson
80. Naked As We Came by Iron and Wine
81. Anna Molly by Incubus
82. Elephant by Damien Rice
83. Mr. Jones by Counting Crows
84. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles
85. Impossible Germany by Wilco
86. 1973 by James Blunt
87. Baby I Love Your Way by Bob Marley
88. Against The Wind by Bob Seger
89. Last To Die by Bruce Springsteen
90. Black Winged Bird by The Cake Sale (Nina Persson)
91. She Don't Want Nobody Near by Counting Crows
92. Coconut Skins by Damien Rice
93. Soul Meets Body by Death Cab For Cutie
94. The Crane Wife 3 by The Decemberists
95. Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy
96. Do You Remember? by Jack Johnson
97. Snow Is Gone by Josh Ritter
98. Invincible by Muse
99. Barfly by Ray LaMontagne
100. Jumpin' Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones
101. Let It Ride by Ryan Adams
102. Hello Sunshine by Super Furry Animals
103. Josephine by The Wallflowers
104. Please Be Patient With Me by Wilco
105. Club Thing by Yoav
106. Oh My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams with Emmylou Harris
107. One Horse Town by The Thrills
108. La Cienega Just Smiled by Ryan Adams
109. Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright
110. Thank You by The Redwalls
111. My Rights Versus Yours by The New Pornographers
112. Harvest Moon by Neil Young
113. For Reasons Unknown by The Killers
114. Bedshaped by Keane
115. Kathleen by Josh Ritter
116. Mind Games by John Lennon
117. Pull Me Through by Jim Cuddy
118. Breakdown by Jack Johnson
119. Summer Skin by Death Cab For Cutie
120. Sleep Don't Weep by Damien Rice
121. Warning Sign by Coldplay
122. Save Your Scissors by City and Colour
123. Some Surprise by The Cake Sale (Lisa Hannigan + Gary Lightbody)
124. Michelle by The Beatles
125. Is There A Ghost? by Band of Horses
126. Marching Bands of Manhattan by Death Cab For Cutie
127. Trouble by Coldplay
128. Small Town Southern Man by Alan Jackson
129. Let It Be by The Beatles
130. St. Robinson In His Cadillac Dream (Live) by Counting Crows
131. So Long, So Long by Dashboard Confessional
132. Lying Eyes by The Eagles
133. The Water by Feist
134. Talk Shows on Mute by Incubus
135. Watching The Wheels (Acoustic) by John Lennon
136. Nuclear Daydream by Joseph Arthur
137. The Grace by Neverending White Lights featuring Dallas Green
138. Bridge To Nowhere by Sam Roberts
139. On Again, Off Again by Sean Lennon
140. Rain King (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
141. 1 2 3 4 by Feist
142. Daylight Fading by Counting Crows
143. Ashes of American Flags by Wilco
144. Karma Police by Radiohead
145. Imitation of Life by R.E.M.
146. The Great Escape by Patrick Watson
147. Autumn by Paolo Nutini
148. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Neil Young
149. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing by Jack Johnson
150. An Angry Blade by Iron and Wine
151. Everytime by David Gray
152. The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice
153. Sullivan Street (Live) by Counting Crows
154. Speed of Sound by Coldplay
155. Lodi by C.C.R.
156. Whole Lot of Leaving by Bon Jovi
157. Workingman Blues #2 by Bob Dylan
158. Bulletproof by Blue Rodeo
159. The Weight by The Band
160. Long Line of Pain by Amos Lee
161. There, There by Radiohead
162. Million Faces by Paolo Nutini
163. The Animals Were Gone by Damien Rice
164. Come Around by Counting Crows
165. Round Here by Counting Crows
166. Doesn't Remind Me by Audioslave
167. Up on Cripple Creek by The Band
168. Change by Blind Melon
169. Mrs. Potter's Lullaby by Counting Crows
170. Someday You Will Be Loved by Death Cab For Cutie
171. Sons and Daughters by The Decemberists
172. Flyin' by Emerson Hart
173. You're Beautiful (Acoustic) by James Blunt
174. One Last Chance by James Morrison
175. Ramble On by Led Zeppelin
176. Man on The Moon by R.E.M.
177. Across The Universe by Rufus Wainwright
178. I Taught Myself To Grow Old by Ryan Adams
179. Elevator Love Letter by Stars
180. Why Does It Always Rain On Me? by Travis
181. With or Without You by U2
182. The Thanks I Get by Wilco
183. Amy Hit The Atmosphere by Counting Crows
184. High Life by Counting Crows
185. Invisible City by The Wallflowers
186. Montebello Park by The Trews
187. Mr. Golden Deal by Tonic
188. You Don't Know How It Feels by Tom Petty
189. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
190. Hard Road by Sam Roberts
191. Two by Ryan Adams
192. Around The Sun by R.E.M.
193. Thumbing My Way by Pearl Jam
194. Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis
195. I Hope Your Heart Runs Empty by Neverending White Lights
196. Alert Status Red by Matthew Good
197. The River by Live
198. Come and Find Me by Josh Ritter
199. Better Man by James Morrison
200. Tiny Dancer by Elton John
Have a good hump day.
jr.
Top 200 Songs Played This Year On My iTunes Player
1. The One I Love by David Gray (1)
2. All The Trees Are Hers by Hawksley Workman (2)
3. When I Dream of Michelangelo by Counting Crows (5)
4. You Can't Count On Me by Counting Crows (3)
5. Supernatural Superserious by R.E.M. (4)
6. No One's Gonna Love You by Band of Horses (6)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D04LD_UsaU
7. Empty by Ray LaMontagne (7)
8. Always by Neverending White Lights (9)
9. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by C.C.R. (10)
10. Guaranteed by Eddie Vedder (15)
11. You Are my Face by Wilco
12. Wonderwall by Oasis
13. Boy With A Coin by Iron and Wine
14. Say It To Me Now by Glen Hansard
15. Hard Sun by Eddie Vedder
16. Waiting by City and Colour
17. Long Road To Ruin by Foo Fighters
18. Calling All Friends by Low Stars
19. Creep by Radiohead
20. One by U2
21. The Bends by Radiohead
22. Thinking About You by Norah Jones
23. O Valencia by The Decemberists
24. A Long December by Counting Crows
25. Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles
26. Hospital Beds by Cold War Kids
27. Cowboys by Counting Crows
28. Your Heart Is An Empty Room by Death Cab For Cutie
29. Everything by Michael Buble
30. Everybody Knows by Ryan Adams
31. Hannah by Ray LaMontagne
32. Off He Goes by Pearl Jam
33. My List by The Killers
34. Falling Slowly by The Frames
35. Have You Seen Me Lately? (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
36. Hard Candy by Counting Crows
37. Southern Girl by Amos Lee
38. Antichrist Television Blues by Arcade Fire
39. The Hardest Part by Coldplay
40. 1492 by Counting Crows
41. Blanket of Ghosts by Dustin Kensrue
42. If You're Gonna Leave by Emerson Hart
43. Gotta Be Somebody's Blues by Jimmy Eat World
44. When You Were Young by The Killers
45. Every Part of Me by Sam Roberts
46. Lemon Parade by Tonic
47. Sing by Travis
48. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
49. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
50. Chase This Light by Jimmy Eat World
51. Kite by U2
52. Gold In Them Hills by Ron Sexsmith with Chris Martin
53. Alright by Pilot Speed
54. NYC by Interpol
55. Love Hurts by Incubus
56. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature by The Guess Who
57. Your Song by Elton John
58. Accidental Babies by Damien Rice
59. Los Angeles by Counting Crows
60. A Time To Be So Small by Interpol
61. Diamonds on The Inside by Ben Harper
62. Miller's Angels by Counting Crows
63. Oceanside by The Decemberists
64. Society by Eddie Vedder
65. Girl In The War by Josh Ritter
66. You're Always Going Too Soon by Matthew Jay
67. Only The Lonely by Roy Orbison
68. These Girls by Ryan Adams
69. The Blues by Switchfoot
70. The Con by Tegan and Sara
71. Sky Blue Sky by Wilco
72. Catapult (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
73. What Light by Wilco
74. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
75. Telling Them by Starsailor
76. The Painter by Neil Young
77. Sunday Morning Coming Down (Live) by Johnny Cash
78. Tears and Rain by James Blunt
79. If I Had Eyes by Jack Johnson
80. Naked As We Came by Iron and Wine
81. Anna Molly by Incubus
82. Elephant by Damien Rice
83. Mr. Jones by Counting Crows
84. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles
85. Impossible Germany by Wilco
86. 1973 by James Blunt
87. Baby I Love Your Way by Bob Marley
88. Against The Wind by Bob Seger
89. Last To Die by Bruce Springsteen
90. Black Winged Bird by The Cake Sale (Nina Persson)
91. She Don't Want Nobody Near by Counting Crows
92. Coconut Skins by Damien Rice
93. Soul Meets Body by Death Cab For Cutie
94. The Crane Wife 3 by The Decemberists
95. Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy
96. Do You Remember? by Jack Johnson
97. Snow Is Gone by Josh Ritter
98. Invincible by Muse
99. Barfly by Ray LaMontagne
100. Jumpin' Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones
101. Let It Ride by Ryan Adams
102. Hello Sunshine by Super Furry Animals
103. Josephine by The Wallflowers
104. Please Be Patient With Me by Wilco
105. Club Thing by Yoav
106. Oh My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams with Emmylou Harris
107. One Horse Town by The Thrills
108. La Cienega Just Smiled by Ryan Adams
109. Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright
110. Thank You by The Redwalls
111. My Rights Versus Yours by The New Pornographers
112. Harvest Moon by Neil Young
113. For Reasons Unknown by The Killers
114. Bedshaped by Keane
115. Kathleen by Josh Ritter
116. Mind Games by John Lennon
117. Pull Me Through by Jim Cuddy
118. Breakdown by Jack Johnson
119. Summer Skin by Death Cab For Cutie
120. Sleep Don't Weep by Damien Rice
121. Warning Sign by Coldplay
122. Save Your Scissors by City and Colour
123. Some Surprise by The Cake Sale (Lisa Hannigan + Gary Lightbody)
124. Michelle by The Beatles
125. Is There A Ghost? by Band of Horses
126. Marching Bands of Manhattan by Death Cab For Cutie
127. Trouble by Coldplay
128. Small Town Southern Man by Alan Jackson
129. Let It Be by The Beatles
130. St. Robinson In His Cadillac Dream (Live) by Counting Crows
131. So Long, So Long by Dashboard Confessional
132. Lying Eyes by The Eagles
133. The Water by Feist
134. Talk Shows on Mute by Incubus
135. Watching The Wheels (Acoustic) by John Lennon
136. Nuclear Daydream by Joseph Arthur
137. The Grace by Neverending White Lights featuring Dallas Green
138. Bridge To Nowhere by Sam Roberts
139. On Again, Off Again by Sean Lennon
140. Rain King (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
141. 1 2 3 4 by Feist
142. Daylight Fading by Counting Crows
143. Ashes of American Flags by Wilco
144. Karma Police by Radiohead
145. Imitation of Life by R.E.M.
146. The Great Escape by Patrick Watson
147. Autumn by Paolo Nutini
148. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Neil Young
149. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing by Jack Johnson
150. An Angry Blade by Iron and Wine
151. Everytime by David Gray
152. The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice
153. Sullivan Street (Live) by Counting Crows
154. Speed of Sound by Coldplay
155. Lodi by C.C.R.
156. Whole Lot of Leaving by Bon Jovi
157. Workingman Blues #2 by Bob Dylan
158. Bulletproof by Blue Rodeo
159. The Weight by The Band
160. Long Line of Pain by Amos Lee
161. There, There by Radiohead
162. Million Faces by Paolo Nutini
163. The Animals Were Gone by Damien Rice
164. Come Around by Counting Crows
165. Round Here by Counting Crows
166. Doesn't Remind Me by Audioslave
167. Up on Cripple Creek by The Band
168. Change by Blind Melon
169. Mrs. Potter's Lullaby by Counting Crows
170. Someday You Will Be Loved by Death Cab For Cutie
171. Sons and Daughters by The Decemberists
172. Flyin' by Emerson Hart
173. You're Beautiful (Acoustic) by James Blunt
174. One Last Chance by James Morrison
175. Ramble On by Led Zeppelin
176. Man on The Moon by R.E.M.
177. Across The Universe by Rufus Wainwright
178. I Taught Myself To Grow Old by Ryan Adams
179. Elevator Love Letter by Stars
180. Why Does It Always Rain On Me? by Travis
181. With or Without You by U2
182. The Thanks I Get by Wilco
183. Amy Hit The Atmosphere by Counting Crows
184. High Life by Counting Crows
185. Invisible City by The Wallflowers
186. Montebello Park by The Trews
187. Mr. Golden Deal by Tonic
188. You Don't Know How It Feels by Tom Petty
189. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
190. Hard Road by Sam Roberts
191. Two by Ryan Adams
192. Around The Sun by R.E.M.
193. Thumbing My Way by Pearl Jam
194. Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis
195. I Hope Your Heart Runs Empty by Neverending White Lights
196. Alert Status Red by Matthew Good
197. The River by Live
198. Come and Find Me by Josh Ritter
199. Better Man by James Morrison
200. Tiny Dancer by Elton John
Monday, September 8, 2008
"No I don't wanna battle from beginning to end, I don't want a cycle of recycled revenge, I don't wanna follow Death and all his friends........"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_wcRxGbqdU
Death and All His Friends by Coldplay
Above is the best song from Coldplay's latest album.
Last nights U.S. Open Women's Final was a great display of tennis. Serena Williams beat Jalena Jankovic 6-4, 7-5 to claim her third championship. I really enjoyed the match and the Sunday night New York drama. It was more entertaining than any of the Sunday football I saw. Well except for pretty boy Tom Brady getting hurt and screaming like a girl, that was entertaining.
So below is my latest rant about the city of London, where I live.
A City’s Beauty Tainted By Beggars and Squeegee Kids
The word beautiful might not be an appropriate word to describe a city. There is too much metal and there is too much concrete. The metal rusts and the concrete cracks, dirt and dust covers. But a city like all of us does contain many beautiful elements. There are its trees, rivers, ponds, parks but most importantly its people. London contains many beautiful people representing many races and cultures. Many of these are celebrated through summer parades or festivals. What taints London’s internal beauty is a collection of beggars. Most of them can be found in front of stores along Richmond and Dundas. We have all been asked for change and some of us might have even given some. Personally I think there are adequate social services in place throughout the city which would allow the city to ban this sort of activity. One of these days, the beggars who stand on the island at the intersection of Richmond and Oxford are going to cause a major accident. I am surprised this has not happened already considering the volume of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. It is simply dangerous having these beggars darting in and out of traffic, drivers fumbling around for change while trying to watch the changing lights. There are enough distractions caused by construction already. The other problem I have is with the Squeegee kids who do the same thing, usually setting up shop beside the Scotiabank. They are a complete nuisance and are also going to cause a major accident one of these days. But what I saw the other night on Adelaide street was completely disrespectful to a London landmark. They had set up all their buckets, rags and other paraphernalia on the steps of the Banting House Museum. I am not sure how long they were there but it was certainly long enough to create an eye sore. The solution to the problem is not hiding them away and ignoring the problem. If these people need help, they should be helped in the right direction towards a shelter or a hospital. The city of London and its law enforcement officials should do a better job of removing these eye sores. With thousands of new younger eyes entering the city for their education, it would be a shame to think their impression of London is one of beggars and squeegee kids.
"I see God upon the ceiling, I see angels overhead and he seems so close as he reaches out his hand, we are never quite as close as we are led to understand.."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZIXCjVbrPo
When I Dream of Michelangelo by Counting Crows from August 30 in Cincinnati Ohio.
I wrote the following last night.
Untangled
New introductions are made
They quickly begin to fade
Faces linger longer than names
Opportunity is easily lost
After she says goodbye
Resigned to leaving alone
Home is its most lonely
On rainy Sundays in September
Her sparse furniture unwelcoming
A novel and a cat become company
When her bed is left unoccupied
I am potential but highly unlikely
She should know this by now
Excuses arrive plentiful like stars
When the almost autumn sky is clear
Clouds surround my heart everyday
Committing to anything is hard for me
I am a hypocrite of romance and hope
These words lie like a drunk beggar
Looking is an excuse for not finding
What could very easily be found
The right person is actually real
If you are really trying to find them
But if you are afraid like me
There is no shortages of reasons
Why they do not exist or are gone
Eventually time will make this true
Leaving behind a body of loneliness
One with great potential for happiness
Should its owner admit to fearfulness
Stressing patience and understanding
Not everything has to be untangled
On a Saturday night in September
Some of it can be left for another time
When the hands are steadier and stronger.
09/07/08
Autumn is coming soon to smile upon all of us and in its plethora of colours we will find everything we need.
jr.
Death and All His Friends by Coldplay
Above is the best song from Coldplay's latest album.
Last nights U.S. Open Women's Final was a great display of tennis. Serena Williams beat Jalena Jankovic 6-4, 7-5 to claim her third championship. I really enjoyed the match and the Sunday night New York drama. It was more entertaining than any of the Sunday football I saw. Well except for pretty boy Tom Brady getting hurt and screaming like a girl, that was entertaining.
So below is my latest rant about the city of London, where I live.
A City’s Beauty Tainted By Beggars and Squeegee Kids
The word beautiful might not be an appropriate word to describe a city. There is too much metal and there is too much concrete. The metal rusts and the concrete cracks, dirt and dust covers. But a city like all of us does contain many beautiful elements. There are its trees, rivers, ponds, parks but most importantly its people. London contains many beautiful people representing many races and cultures. Many of these are celebrated through summer parades or festivals. What taints London’s internal beauty is a collection of beggars. Most of them can be found in front of stores along Richmond and Dundas. We have all been asked for change and some of us might have even given some. Personally I think there are adequate social services in place throughout the city which would allow the city to ban this sort of activity. One of these days, the beggars who stand on the island at the intersection of Richmond and Oxford are going to cause a major accident. I am surprised this has not happened already considering the volume of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. It is simply dangerous having these beggars darting in and out of traffic, drivers fumbling around for change while trying to watch the changing lights. There are enough distractions caused by construction already. The other problem I have is with the Squeegee kids who do the same thing, usually setting up shop beside the Scotiabank. They are a complete nuisance and are also going to cause a major accident one of these days. But what I saw the other night on Adelaide street was completely disrespectful to a London landmark. They had set up all their buckets, rags and other paraphernalia on the steps of the Banting House Museum. I am not sure how long they were there but it was certainly long enough to create an eye sore. The solution to the problem is not hiding them away and ignoring the problem. If these people need help, they should be helped in the right direction towards a shelter or a hospital. The city of London and its law enforcement officials should do a better job of removing these eye sores. With thousands of new younger eyes entering the city for their education, it would be a shame to think their impression of London is one of beggars and squeegee kids.
"I see God upon the ceiling, I see angels overhead and he seems so close as he reaches out his hand, we are never quite as close as we are led to understand.."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZIXCjVbrPo
When I Dream of Michelangelo by Counting Crows from August 30 in Cincinnati Ohio.
I wrote the following last night.
Untangled
New introductions are made
They quickly begin to fade
Faces linger longer than names
Opportunity is easily lost
After she says goodbye
Resigned to leaving alone
Home is its most lonely
On rainy Sundays in September
Her sparse furniture unwelcoming
A novel and a cat become company
When her bed is left unoccupied
I am potential but highly unlikely
She should know this by now
Excuses arrive plentiful like stars
When the almost autumn sky is clear
Clouds surround my heart everyday
Committing to anything is hard for me
I am a hypocrite of romance and hope
These words lie like a drunk beggar
Looking is an excuse for not finding
What could very easily be found
The right person is actually real
If you are really trying to find them
But if you are afraid like me
There is no shortages of reasons
Why they do not exist or are gone
Eventually time will make this true
Leaving behind a body of loneliness
One with great potential for happiness
Should its owner admit to fearfulness
Stressing patience and understanding
Not everything has to be untangled
On a Saturday night in September
Some of it can be left for another time
When the hands are steadier and stronger.
09/07/08
Autumn is coming soon to smile upon all of us and in its plethora of colours we will find everything we need.
jr.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
"I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies, this is the dawning of the rest of our lives......."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FREtPqxQe40
Holiday by Green Day
Today is a lazy day after a couple days of fun. Friday night we were out celebrating a couple of friends birthdays. Things have got busier here in town with the usual influx of September students. We were at Molly's before 10 and I think we managed to make it close to the end of the night. Since there were a dozen or so of us, we made a little area of our own and proceeded to have fun.
Saturday a couple of us headed to Toronto for the Blue Jays game. It was a cool and breezy day, which was nice because of our hungover state. The game itself was very good, with the Jays winning 7-4 in the bottom of the 13th inning on a walk off grand slam by Greg Zaun of all people. It was Toronto's 7th win in a row and it is nice to beat the first place Rays. There would be a measure of relieve for Blue Jays fans should the Rays stumble in September and miss the playoffs. We can accept Boston or New York not making the playoffs but the Rays or the Orioles would be demoralizing for us. It was nice being in Toronto because of the city's buzz created by their annual film festival along with the Jays, the soccer team and the Foo Fighters playing on the island with other bands.
Yesterday the Taliban executed another suicide bombing inside Pakistan, the number of dead are around 50. The region is so complicated, understanding it is very difficult. As a westerner, all we can do is continue reading and gaining knowledge about it. There is a link below to a lengthy article from the New York Times magazine about Pakistan, the Taliban, Afghanistan and the dynamics of the region.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/magazine/07pakistan-t.html?hp
Whenever you attend sporting events, music is used to pump up the crowd, one of the those songs used yesterday at the Rogers Centre was Green Day's Holiday. The anti-war song worked and it seemed much of the diverse crowd knew the lyrics or were at least tapping hands or feet to it. Therefore its use in the blog today.
The sun has finally arrived this afternoon after a Sunday morning of rain. At times I wish I could spin the light around my finger and reflect it in the eyes of beautiful girl.
jr.
Holiday by Green Day
Today is a lazy day after a couple days of fun. Friday night we were out celebrating a couple of friends birthdays. Things have got busier here in town with the usual influx of September students. We were at Molly's before 10 and I think we managed to make it close to the end of the night. Since there were a dozen or so of us, we made a little area of our own and proceeded to have fun.
Saturday a couple of us headed to Toronto for the Blue Jays game. It was a cool and breezy day, which was nice because of our hungover state. The game itself was very good, with the Jays winning 7-4 in the bottom of the 13th inning on a walk off grand slam by Greg Zaun of all people. It was Toronto's 7th win in a row and it is nice to beat the first place Rays. There would be a measure of relieve for Blue Jays fans should the Rays stumble in September and miss the playoffs. We can accept Boston or New York not making the playoffs but the Rays or the Orioles would be demoralizing for us. It was nice being in Toronto because of the city's buzz created by their annual film festival along with the Jays, the soccer team and the Foo Fighters playing on the island with other bands.
Yesterday the Taliban executed another suicide bombing inside Pakistan, the number of dead are around 50. The region is so complicated, understanding it is very difficult. As a westerner, all we can do is continue reading and gaining knowledge about it. There is a link below to a lengthy article from the New York Times magazine about Pakistan, the Taliban, Afghanistan and the dynamics of the region.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/magazine/07pakistan-t.html?hp
Whenever you attend sporting events, music is used to pump up the crowd, one of the those songs used yesterday at the Rogers Centre was Green Day's Holiday. The anti-war song worked and it seemed much of the diverse crowd knew the lyrics or were at least tapping hands or feet to it. Therefore its use in the blog today.
The sun has finally arrived this afternoon after a Sunday morning of rain. At times I wish I could spin the light around my finger and reflect it in the eyes of beautiful girl.
jr.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
"I don't recall a sing care just greenery and humid air, then Labor day came and went, and we shed what was left of our summer skin..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5ERQZerRQ4
Summer Skin by Death Cab For Cutie
Sarah Palin delivered an amazing speech last night at the Republican convention. I thought it sent a message to the Democrats that she along with McCain will be formidable opponents. Whether it is enough to get them into the White House, I doubt it but it should be interesting. Personally my views are more Liberal and run closer to those of a Democrat but I am a Canadian and therefore it doesn't matter. Though it does matter here and like other Canadians we will get our say October 14. Hopefully it is more of a Liberal say than is currently being expected. We cannot let Harper get a majority, no matter how flawed a leader Dion is. NDP leader Jack Layton today said he is going to be the Obama of the north. Yeah right Jack, keep dreaming, you are white and an Canadian NDP. Below is an opinion article on Palin's speech last night from the New York Times.
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/04/a-good-speech-period/index.html?ref=opinion
"Carmelita hold me tighter, I think I'm sinking down and I'm all strung out on heroin, on the outskirts of town...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeb0OI8wXN4
Carmelita by Warren Zevon
Below is a link to some of the rare interview given by David Letterman to Rolling Stone magazine. I have enjoyed watching Letterman for the last 17 years or so and I will be sad when he does retire. Sure his show isn't as funny as some or as relevant as it used to be. Perhaps his time has came and gone but every weeknight he is around to listen to and my life is better for this. What he has done for music cannot be underestimated, his choice of guests has made for some memorable performances and given some lesser known artists a bigger audience.
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/22791344
Below are the last clips of one of those lesser known artists, the great and late Warren Zevon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hl9Tw2GzvA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmjTQqJXtgs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrsCBmgUZxc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p9CxJazR_U
I wrote the following tonight.
A Thief In The Dusk Of A Changing Season
My unspoken expectations falter
After her pearl smile disappears
Nothing meant for me lasts long
I steal its beauty and wreck it
Unintentionally but factual
My history has made me regret
Loving or believing anyone
Who could never reciprocate
Despite their best intentions
Much is unknown between hearts
Great novels have been written
Their stories are famously loved
But still love remains mysterious
Seemingly random until it is found
Allowing us to use words like fate
Romance cannot be a coincidence
This would be a sin in many minds
Tainting their love with randomness
Ignorant to our existence as molecules
Applying science to relationships is wrong
Surely their heads would be shaking
Should I say they can easily fall in love
With almost anyone in certain circumstances
Assuming you are ready and looking
When summer begins to cool and dissipate
Leaving peeled skin under manicured nails
All she is unaware of taking from you
Everything else she knows she has stolen
A thief in the dusk of a changing season
Escaping under the light of a September moon
Only hours after Labour Day has ended
A well executed plan of freedom from me
Loving a mistake is acceptable during summer
But as autumn’s colours begin to show
The truth begins to show its unacceptability
Making a smile less wide and less pearly
Intentionally and factually gone
Much like my history of being loved.
09/04/08
Enjoy every sandwich.
jr.
Summer Skin by Death Cab For Cutie
Sarah Palin delivered an amazing speech last night at the Republican convention. I thought it sent a message to the Democrats that she along with McCain will be formidable opponents. Whether it is enough to get them into the White House, I doubt it but it should be interesting. Personally my views are more Liberal and run closer to those of a Democrat but I am a Canadian and therefore it doesn't matter. Though it does matter here and like other Canadians we will get our say October 14. Hopefully it is more of a Liberal say than is currently being expected. We cannot let Harper get a majority, no matter how flawed a leader Dion is. NDP leader Jack Layton today said he is going to be the Obama of the north. Yeah right Jack, keep dreaming, you are white and an Canadian NDP. Below is an opinion article on Palin's speech last night from the New York Times.
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/04/a-good-speech-period/index.html?ref=opinion
"Carmelita hold me tighter, I think I'm sinking down and I'm all strung out on heroin, on the outskirts of town...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeb0OI8wXN4
Carmelita by Warren Zevon
Below is a link to some of the rare interview given by David Letterman to Rolling Stone magazine. I have enjoyed watching Letterman for the last 17 years or so and I will be sad when he does retire. Sure his show isn't as funny as some or as relevant as it used to be. Perhaps his time has came and gone but every weeknight he is around to listen to and my life is better for this. What he has done for music cannot be underestimated, his choice of guests has made for some memorable performances and given some lesser known artists a bigger audience.
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/22791344
Below are the last clips of one of those lesser known artists, the great and late Warren Zevon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hl9Tw2GzvA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmjTQqJXtgs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrsCBmgUZxc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p9CxJazR_U
I wrote the following tonight.
A Thief In The Dusk Of A Changing Season
My unspoken expectations falter
After her pearl smile disappears
Nothing meant for me lasts long
I steal its beauty and wreck it
Unintentionally but factual
My history has made me regret
Loving or believing anyone
Who could never reciprocate
Despite their best intentions
Much is unknown between hearts
Great novels have been written
Their stories are famously loved
But still love remains mysterious
Seemingly random until it is found
Allowing us to use words like fate
Romance cannot be a coincidence
This would be a sin in many minds
Tainting their love with randomness
Ignorant to our existence as molecules
Applying science to relationships is wrong
Surely their heads would be shaking
Should I say they can easily fall in love
With almost anyone in certain circumstances
Assuming you are ready and looking
When summer begins to cool and dissipate
Leaving peeled skin under manicured nails
All she is unaware of taking from you
Everything else she knows she has stolen
A thief in the dusk of a changing season
Escaping under the light of a September moon
Only hours after Labour Day has ended
A well executed plan of freedom from me
Loving a mistake is acceptable during summer
But as autumn’s colours begin to show
The truth begins to show its unacceptability
Making a smile less wide and less pearly
Intentionally and factually gone
Much like my history of being loved.
09/04/08
Enjoy every sandwich.
jr.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
"Why is there no breeze, no currency of leaves, no current through the water wire, no feelings I can see, I trust no emotion..."
It is still Tuesday, barely. The countdown is below, top 200 out of 1369, The One I Love by David Gray returns to #1. The lyrics and featured song this week is Wilco's brilliant You Are My Face with a live clip from 2008's Lollapalooza.
Below is a live clip of A Long December by Counting Crows from August 29 in Detroit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJLH46lo9mE
ttyl
jr.
Top 200 Songs Played This Year On My iTunes Player
1. The One I Love by David Gray (2)
2. All The Trees Are Hers by Hawksley Workman (1)
3. You Can't Count On Me by Counting Crows (5)
4. Supernatural Superserious by R.E.M. (4)
5. When I Dream of Michelangelo by Counting Crows (3)
6. No One's Gonna Love You by Band of Horses (7)
7. Empty by Ray LaMontagne (6)
8. You Are My Face by Wilco (18)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyC9kQtMHS0
9. Always by Neverending White Lights (13)
10. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by C.C.R. (12)
11. Hard Sun by Eddie Vedder
12. Say It To Me Now by Glen Hansard
13. Boy With A Coin by Iron and Wine
14. Wonderwall by Oasis
15. Guaranteed by Eddie Vedder
16. Waiting by City and Colour
17. One by U2
18. Creep by Radiohead
19. Long Road To Ruin by Foo Fighters
20. A Long December by Counting Crows
21. O Valencia by The Decemberists
22. Calling All Friends by Low Stars
23. Thinking About You by Norah Jones
24. The Bends by Radiohead
25. Everything by Michael Buble
26. Your Heart Is An Empty Room by Death Cab For Cutie
27. Cowboys by Counting Crows
28. Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles
29. Hospital Beds by Cold War Kids
30. Hard Candy by Counting Crows
31. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
32. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
33. Lemon Parade by Tonic
34. Everybody Knows by Ryan Adams
35. Hannah by Ray LaMontagne
36. My List by The Killers
37. Falling Slowly by The Frames
38. If You're Gonna Leave by Emerson Hart
39. Blanket of Ghosts by Dustin Kensrue
40. Have You Seen Me Lately (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
41. When You Were Young by The Killers
42. Antichrist Television Blues by Arcade Fire
43. Los Angeles by Counting Crows
44. Love Hurts by Incubus
45. A Time To Be So Small by Interpol
46. Gotta Be Somebody's Blues by Jimmy Eat World
47. Off He Goes by Pearl Jam
48. Every Part of Me by Sam Roberts
49. Sing by Travis
50. NYC by Interpol
51. Chase This Light by Jimmy Eat World
52. Sky Blue Sky by Wilco
53. Kite by U2
54. The Blues by Switchfoot
55. Gold In Them Hills by Ron Sexsmith with Chris Martin
56. Alright by Pilot Speed
57. Girl In The War by Josh Ritter
58. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature by The Guess Who
59. Your Song by Elton John
60. Society by Eddie Vedder
61. Oceanside by The Decemberists
62. Accidental Babies by Damien Rice
63. The Hardest Part by Coldplay
64. Southern Girl by Amos Lee
65. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles
66. Diamonds On The Inside by Ben Harper
67. Mr. Jones by Counting Crows
68. Anna Molly by Incubus
69. Sunday Morning Coming Down (Live) by Johnny Cash
70. You're Always Going Too Soon by Matthew Jay
71. The Painter by Neil Young
72. Only The Lonely by Roy Orbison
73. The Con by Tegan and Sara
74. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
75. What Light by Wilco
76. 1492 by Counting Crows
77. Please Be Patient With Me by Wilco
78. Hello Sunshine by Super Furry Animals
79. Telling Them by Starsailor
80. Oh My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams with Emmylou Harris
81. Jumpin' Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones
82. Barfly by Ray LaMontagne
83. Tears and Rain by James Blunt
84. If I Had Eyes by Jack Johnson
85. Naked As We Came by Iron and Wine
86. The Crane Wife 3 by The Decemberists
87. Soul Meets Body by Death Cab For Cutie
88. Elephant by Damien Rice
89. Catapult (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
90. Last To Die by Bruce Springsteen
91. Against The Wind by Bob Seger
92. Impossible Germany by Wilco
93. 1973 by James Blunt
94. Do You Remember? by Jack Johnson
95. Miller's Angels by Counting Crows
96. Michelle by The Beatles
97. Baby I Love Your Way by Bob Marley
98. Some Surprise by The Cake Sale (Lisa Hannigan + Gary Lightbody)
99. Trouble by Coldplay
100. She Don't Want Nobody Near by Counting Crows
101. Coconut Skins by Damien Rice
102. Marching Bands of Manhattan by Death Cab For Cutie
103. Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy
104. For Reasons Unknown by The Killers
105. Invincible by Muse
106. Harvest Moon by Neil Young
107. Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright
108. Let It Ride by Ryan Adams
109. One Horse Town by The Thrills
110. Black Winged Bird by The Cake Sale (Nina Persson)
111. Sleep Don't Weep by Damien Rice
112. Summer Skin by Death Cab For Cutie
113. La Cienega Just Smiled by Ryan Adams
114. These Girls by Ryan Adams
115. Club Thing by Yoav
116. Josephine by The Wallflowers
117. Thank You by The Redwalls
118. My Rights Versus Yours by The New Pornographers
119. Kathleen by Josh Ritters
120. Nuclear Daydream by Joseph Arthur
121. Mind Games by John Lennon
122. Pull Me Through by Jim Cuddy
123. Lying Eyes by The Eagles
124. So Long, So Long by Dashboard Confessional with Adam Duritz
125. Daylight Fading by Counting Crows
126. Warning Sign by Coldplay
127. Save Your Scissors by City and Colour
128. Let It Be by The Beatles
129. Is There A Ghost? by Band of Horses
130. Watching The Wheels (Acoustic) by John Lennon
131. Rain King (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
132. St. Robinson In His Cadillac Dream (Live) by Counting Crows
133. The Weight by The Band
134. Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles
135. Lodi by C.C.R.
136. The Water by Feist
137. Talk Shows On Mute by Incubus
138. Breakdown by Jack Johnson
139. Snow Is Gone by Josh Ritter
140. Bedshaped by Keane
141. Million Faces by Paolo Nutini
142. The Great Escape by Patrick Watson
143. Imitation of Life by R.E.M.
144. Bridge To Nowhere by Sam Roberts
145. Ashes of American Flags by Wilco
146. The Thanks I Get by Wilco
147. With or Without You by U2
148. On Again, Off Again by Sean Lennon
149. Across The Universe by Rufus Wainwright
150. Karma Police by Radiohead
151. The Grace by Neverending White Lights featuring Dallas Green
152. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Neil Young
153. One Last Chance by James Morrison
154. You're Beautiful (Acoustic) by James Blunt
155. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing by Jack Johnson
156. An Angry Blade by Iron and Wine
157. 1 2 3 4 by Feist
158. Sons and Daughters by The Decemberists
159. The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice
160. High Life by Counting Crows
161. Speed of Sound by Coldplay
162. Whole Lot of Leaving by Bon Jovi
163. Workingman Blues #2 by Bob Dylan
164. Change by Blind Melon
165. Up on Cripple Creek by The Band
166. Doesn't Remind Me by Audioslave
167. Long Line of Pain by Amos Lee
168. There, There by Radiohead
169. The Animals Were Gone by Damien Rice
170. Amy Hit The Atmosphere by Counting Crows
171. Mrs. Potter's Lullaby by Counting Crows
172. Come Around by Counting Crows
173. Round Here by Counting Crows
174. Hey Jude by The Beatles
175. Bad Timing by Blue Rodeo
176. A Message by Coldplay
177. Sullivan Street (Live) by Counting Crows
178. Everytime by David Gray
179. Someday You Will Be Loved by Death Cab For Cutie
180. Flyin' by Emerson Hart
181. Better Man by James Morrison
182. Come and Find Me by Josh Ritter
183. Ramble On by Led Zeppelin
184. The River by Live
185. Alert Status Red by Matthew Good
186. I Hope Your Heart Runs Empty by Neverending White Lights
187. Autumn by Paolo Nutini
188. Man on The Moon by R.E.M.
189. I Taught Myself To Grow Old by Ryan Adams
190. Elevator Love Letters by Stars
191. You Don't Know How It Feels by Tom Petty
192. Why Does It Always Rain On Me? by Travis
193. Twist and Shout by The Beatles
194. Bulletproof by Blue Rodeo
195. Around The Sun by R.E.M.
196. I'm The Man Who Loves You by Wilco
197. Invisible City by The Wallflowers
198. Montebello Park by The Trews
199. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
200. Hard Road by Sam Roberts
Below is a live clip of A Long December by Counting Crows from August 29 in Detroit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJLH46lo9mE
ttyl
jr.
Top 200 Songs Played This Year On My iTunes Player
1. The One I Love by David Gray (2)
2. All The Trees Are Hers by Hawksley Workman (1)
3. You Can't Count On Me by Counting Crows (5)
4. Supernatural Superserious by R.E.M. (4)
5. When I Dream of Michelangelo by Counting Crows (3)
6. No One's Gonna Love You by Band of Horses (7)
7. Empty by Ray LaMontagne (6)
8. You Are My Face by Wilco (18)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyC9kQtMHS0
9. Always by Neverending White Lights (13)
10. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by C.C.R. (12)
11. Hard Sun by Eddie Vedder
12. Say It To Me Now by Glen Hansard
13. Boy With A Coin by Iron and Wine
14. Wonderwall by Oasis
15. Guaranteed by Eddie Vedder
16. Waiting by City and Colour
17. One by U2
18. Creep by Radiohead
19. Long Road To Ruin by Foo Fighters
20. A Long December by Counting Crows
21. O Valencia by The Decemberists
22. Calling All Friends by Low Stars
23. Thinking About You by Norah Jones
24. The Bends by Radiohead
25. Everything by Michael Buble
26. Your Heart Is An Empty Room by Death Cab For Cutie
27. Cowboys by Counting Crows
28. Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles
29. Hospital Beds by Cold War Kids
30. Hard Candy by Counting Crows
31. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
32. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
33. Lemon Parade by Tonic
34. Everybody Knows by Ryan Adams
35. Hannah by Ray LaMontagne
36. My List by The Killers
37. Falling Slowly by The Frames
38. If You're Gonna Leave by Emerson Hart
39. Blanket of Ghosts by Dustin Kensrue
40. Have You Seen Me Lately (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
41. When You Were Young by The Killers
42. Antichrist Television Blues by Arcade Fire
43. Los Angeles by Counting Crows
44. Love Hurts by Incubus
45. A Time To Be So Small by Interpol
46. Gotta Be Somebody's Blues by Jimmy Eat World
47. Off He Goes by Pearl Jam
48. Every Part of Me by Sam Roberts
49. Sing by Travis
50. NYC by Interpol
51. Chase This Light by Jimmy Eat World
52. Sky Blue Sky by Wilco
53. Kite by U2
54. The Blues by Switchfoot
55. Gold In Them Hills by Ron Sexsmith with Chris Martin
56. Alright by Pilot Speed
57. Girl In The War by Josh Ritter
58. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature by The Guess Who
59. Your Song by Elton John
60. Society by Eddie Vedder
61. Oceanside by The Decemberists
62. Accidental Babies by Damien Rice
63. The Hardest Part by Coldplay
64. Southern Girl by Amos Lee
65. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles
66. Diamonds On The Inside by Ben Harper
67. Mr. Jones by Counting Crows
68. Anna Molly by Incubus
69. Sunday Morning Coming Down (Live) by Johnny Cash
70. You're Always Going Too Soon by Matthew Jay
71. The Painter by Neil Young
72. Only The Lonely by Roy Orbison
73. The Con by Tegan and Sara
74. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
75. What Light by Wilco
76. 1492 by Counting Crows
77. Please Be Patient With Me by Wilco
78. Hello Sunshine by Super Furry Animals
79. Telling Them by Starsailor
80. Oh My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams with Emmylou Harris
81. Jumpin' Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones
82. Barfly by Ray LaMontagne
83. Tears and Rain by James Blunt
84. If I Had Eyes by Jack Johnson
85. Naked As We Came by Iron and Wine
86. The Crane Wife 3 by The Decemberists
87. Soul Meets Body by Death Cab For Cutie
88. Elephant by Damien Rice
89. Catapult (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
90. Last To Die by Bruce Springsteen
91. Against The Wind by Bob Seger
92. Impossible Germany by Wilco
93. 1973 by James Blunt
94. Do You Remember? by Jack Johnson
95. Miller's Angels by Counting Crows
96. Michelle by The Beatles
97. Baby I Love Your Way by Bob Marley
98. Some Surprise by The Cake Sale (Lisa Hannigan + Gary Lightbody)
99. Trouble by Coldplay
100. She Don't Want Nobody Near by Counting Crows
101. Coconut Skins by Damien Rice
102. Marching Bands of Manhattan by Death Cab For Cutie
103. Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy
104. For Reasons Unknown by The Killers
105. Invincible by Muse
106. Harvest Moon by Neil Young
107. Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright
108. Let It Ride by Ryan Adams
109. One Horse Town by The Thrills
110. Black Winged Bird by The Cake Sale (Nina Persson)
111. Sleep Don't Weep by Damien Rice
112. Summer Skin by Death Cab For Cutie
113. La Cienega Just Smiled by Ryan Adams
114. These Girls by Ryan Adams
115. Club Thing by Yoav
116. Josephine by The Wallflowers
117. Thank You by The Redwalls
118. My Rights Versus Yours by The New Pornographers
119. Kathleen by Josh Ritters
120. Nuclear Daydream by Joseph Arthur
121. Mind Games by John Lennon
122. Pull Me Through by Jim Cuddy
123. Lying Eyes by The Eagles
124. So Long, So Long by Dashboard Confessional with Adam Duritz
125. Daylight Fading by Counting Crows
126. Warning Sign by Coldplay
127. Save Your Scissors by City and Colour
128. Let It Be by The Beatles
129. Is There A Ghost? by Band of Horses
130. Watching The Wheels (Acoustic) by John Lennon
131. Rain King (Acoustic) by Counting Crows
132. St. Robinson In His Cadillac Dream (Live) by Counting Crows
133. The Weight by The Band
134. Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles
135. Lodi by C.C.R.
136. The Water by Feist
137. Talk Shows On Mute by Incubus
138. Breakdown by Jack Johnson
139. Snow Is Gone by Josh Ritter
140. Bedshaped by Keane
141. Million Faces by Paolo Nutini
142. The Great Escape by Patrick Watson
143. Imitation of Life by R.E.M.
144. Bridge To Nowhere by Sam Roberts
145. Ashes of American Flags by Wilco
146. The Thanks I Get by Wilco
147. With or Without You by U2
148. On Again, Off Again by Sean Lennon
149. Across The Universe by Rufus Wainwright
150. Karma Police by Radiohead
151. The Grace by Neverending White Lights featuring Dallas Green
152. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Neil Young
153. One Last Chance by James Morrison
154. You're Beautiful (Acoustic) by James Blunt
155. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing by Jack Johnson
156. An Angry Blade by Iron and Wine
157. 1 2 3 4 by Feist
158. Sons and Daughters by The Decemberists
159. The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice
160. High Life by Counting Crows
161. Speed of Sound by Coldplay
162. Whole Lot of Leaving by Bon Jovi
163. Workingman Blues #2 by Bob Dylan
164. Change by Blind Melon
165. Up on Cripple Creek by The Band
166. Doesn't Remind Me by Audioslave
167. Long Line of Pain by Amos Lee
168. There, There by Radiohead
169. The Animals Were Gone by Damien Rice
170. Amy Hit The Atmosphere by Counting Crows
171. Mrs. Potter's Lullaby by Counting Crows
172. Come Around by Counting Crows
173. Round Here by Counting Crows
174. Hey Jude by The Beatles
175. Bad Timing by Blue Rodeo
176. A Message by Coldplay
177. Sullivan Street (Live) by Counting Crows
178. Everytime by David Gray
179. Someday You Will Be Loved by Death Cab For Cutie
180. Flyin' by Emerson Hart
181. Better Man by James Morrison
182. Come and Find Me by Josh Ritter
183. Ramble On by Led Zeppelin
184. The River by Live
185. Alert Status Red by Matthew Good
186. I Hope Your Heart Runs Empty by Neverending White Lights
187. Autumn by Paolo Nutini
188. Man on The Moon by R.E.M.
189. I Taught Myself To Grow Old by Ryan Adams
190. Elevator Love Letters by Stars
191. You Don't Know How It Feels by Tom Petty
192. Why Does It Always Rain On Me? by Travis
193. Twist and Shout by The Beatles
194. Bulletproof by Blue Rodeo
195. Around The Sun by R.E.M.
196. I'm The Man Who Loves You by Wilco
197. Invisible City by The Wallflowers
198. Montebello Park by The Trews
199. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
200. Hard Road by Sam Roberts
Monday, September 1, 2008
September lily, no ordinary flower store lily, you're fragrant and lovely like an ending, summer's gone and baby so are you......"
http://www.legalsounds.com/download-mp3/hawksley-workman/between-the-beautifuls/september-lily/song_784332
The first blog of September starts with beautiful lyrics from Hawksley Workman's September Lily. I couldn't find a youtube clip of the song, so there is a link to buy songs from its album Between The Beautifuls. You really should, it is brilliant.
We played softball today and I failed to warm up properly. This has resulted in many pains and it wasn't much fun playing today. I couldn't do much of anything and it was so frustrating, between pulling a stomach muscle, a hamstring and god knows what else. Still it was fun, didn't I just say it wasn't, okay it wasn't as fun as it could have been. It was nice getting together with friends.
I wrote the following last night, thinking about the end of summer and the coming September which is upon us.
In The Absence of Everyone Else
The last sundown of this August fades
A black but hardly menacing sky emerges
Occasional stars dot their existence above
September is waiting for her time below
I can hear the wild horses running free
My neglected heart bleeds to be captured
A firecracker explodes and a firefly crashes
Mosquitoes have replaced flies around candles
Their burning shadows dance like drunken fools
Summer’s last chance to play host to a party
Labour Day brings with it a non-calendar autumn
The feeling memory creation is no longer possible
What was created will have to do for this summer
Everything else can be found in a Sam Beam song
Love and some verses and a boy with a coin
I remember him as a better version of me
Heads or tales it did not matter at all
A smile always looked inside my baseball glove
The memory of it does not play much anymore
Having fun is tough for me to remember to do
Everything else can be found in Adam Duritz lyrics
Perfect blue buildings and all my friends
They see me as a better version of me
Fact or fiction it does not matter at all
I refuse to accept anything but stubbornness
The hideous consequence of my self perception
Feeling beautiful is nearly impossible lately
Especially in the absence of everyone else
Now August has faded and September rises
All the wild horses are silent beside rivers
I am drowning in the music of my time
A drunken fool with words to burn and forget
Tomorrow is another chance at a sunset
What more could a boy with a coin need.
08/31/08
Honestly you should be listening to Hawksley, Iron and Wine and of course Counting Crows. Below is some of Goodnight L.A. from August 29 in Detroit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRJJpPzMCw4
jr.
The first blog of September starts with beautiful lyrics from Hawksley Workman's September Lily. I couldn't find a youtube clip of the song, so there is a link to buy songs from its album Between The Beautifuls. You really should, it is brilliant.
We played softball today and I failed to warm up properly. This has resulted in many pains and it wasn't much fun playing today. I couldn't do much of anything and it was so frustrating, between pulling a stomach muscle, a hamstring and god knows what else. Still it was fun, didn't I just say it wasn't, okay it wasn't as fun as it could have been. It was nice getting together with friends.
I wrote the following last night, thinking about the end of summer and the coming September which is upon us.
In The Absence of Everyone Else
The last sundown of this August fades
A black but hardly menacing sky emerges
Occasional stars dot their existence above
September is waiting for her time below
I can hear the wild horses running free
My neglected heart bleeds to be captured
A firecracker explodes and a firefly crashes
Mosquitoes have replaced flies around candles
Their burning shadows dance like drunken fools
Summer’s last chance to play host to a party
Labour Day brings with it a non-calendar autumn
The feeling memory creation is no longer possible
What was created will have to do for this summer
Everything else can be found in a Sam Beam song
Love and some verses and a boy with a coin
I remember him as a better version of me
Heads or tales it did not matter at all
A smile always looked inside my baseball glove
The memory of it does not play much anymore
Having fun is tough for me to remember to do
Everything else can be found in Adam Duritz lyrics
Perfect blue buildings and all my friends
They see me as a better version of me
Fact or fiction it does not matter at all
I refuse to accept anything but stubbornness
The hideous consequence of my self perception
Feeling beautiful is nearly impossible lately
Especially in the absence of everyone else
Now August has faded and September rises
All the wild horses are silent beside rivers
I am drowning in the music of my time
A drunken fool with words to burn and forget
Tomorrow is another chance at a sunset
What more could a boy with a coin need.
08/31/08
Honestly you should be listening to Hawksley, Iron and Wine and of course Counting Crows. Below is some of Goodnight L.A. from August 29 in Detroit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRJJpPzMCw4
jr.
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