The weather sucks again today. It is a holiday here in Canada; Victoria Day. We are celebrating the birthday of Queen Victoria and it is also a day to celebrate the birthday of our reigning sovereign's birthday; Queen Elizabeth II. Though her birthday is actually April 21. Canada has some interesting quirks which make us unique and also makes me question, if we shouldn't be rewriting our own history and celebrating the lives of Canadians instead of British Monarchs. After all we are an independent country.
I think holiday Monday's are the most boring days of the year, everyone is tired from the weekend and not wanting to do anything, myself included. They are the most quiet of days for me and crappy weather makes them even quieter.
"Went out on the street today, the Canadian Dream was as far away as it’s ever been..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zo_S13SYeZw
Since it was quiet and I was bored, I decided to try writing something and the results are below.
Rejecting Myself
The sky looks like a smoker’s lungs
Intermittent rain spoils Victoria Day
I have been closing doors and windows
Not finding inspiration beyond them
Almost perfect girls are on my mind
I do not think almost perfection is in me
The weekend has extended into Monday
My most recent search yielded nothing
Forming new friendships are becoming rare
There always seems to be things missing
Whether they are not in me or someone else
I can never really tell and can only guess
Why it seems like moments are being lost
Slipping through fingers without commitments
Unable to decide between trying and failing
Needing to love but afraid of being loved
I have always protected my heart
With invisible reasons why it should not be loved
They come to me with great ease and clarity
A beautiful illusion of permanent loneliness
This might be my own field of gold
I can deny anyone entrance into
A selfish keeper of stories and jokes
Songs, poems, books, dreams and embraces
All the rejection is avoided by rejecting myself
Therefore no one but me can hurt me
I am already alone and it is a known feeling
Steady rain splashes on the balcony
I have been carefully writing and thinking
Piecing together memories and opinions
Ready to accept the consequences of my changing
There is not enough forgiveness left in me
For the moments we have lost or missed
They are gone like the sun today
Perhaps tomorrow they will return
When the light is different
When the music is brighter
For now melancholy sounds vibrate
A heart beating but not loving
Anything more than it did yesterday.
05/19/08
"I can never bring them back but those days remain inside the very heart of me, my memories are white and black but the song's the same, it plays in every part of me..."
http://www.imeem.com/tikasmusic/music/wINimCoi/sam_roberts_every_part_of_me/
Below is an article from the New York Times about how Germany is thriving with $8 a gallon gas whereas the U.S. is struggling with $4+ a gallon gas. As gas prices here in North America continue to rise it will be up to us to find alternatives and demand alternatives from our countries and the companies working inside our countries.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/19/opinion/19krugman.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin
"'Cause there's no road that ain't a hard road to travel on..."
Below is a link to my friends Jeremiah and Jason's band Phantom Of The Mind, they have some new demos up for our listening pleasure. They are also playing a show this Saturday here and I am looking forward to it because I haven't seen them playing since January.
http://www.myspace.com/phantomofthemind
I think I will do some reading to pass the early evening. At least the sun has decided to make an appearance but it is only 11 degrees.
The Gate below is a really good song by Sam Roberts, along with Canadian Dream, Every Part Of Me and Hard Road scatter throughout this blog.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=h0XQB5Jq6yw
jr.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
"I've been up for 38 hours and it don't look like sleep's coming soon, cause I could break like a bird or I could swallow the sea........."
Well I haven't been up for 38 hours but it feels like I haven't slept well in a very long time. Last night James, Jeff and I (aka the Three Jamigos) hung out drinking until we decided after midnight that we should go to a bar. We initially tried to go to the Thorny Devil but it was lined up and we don't do lines. So we decided to try Cowboys, it wasn't overly busy and kind of boring. I suppose this is what we get for deciding to go to the bar late. Though there were a lot of goofy people and a few rather good looking women, one in particular trusting enough to leave her purse with strangers while she danced. At least the live band wasn't terrible and didn't play all country stuff. There was the usual Sweet Home Alabama and Brown Eyed Girl to make up for some of the country crap. The thing about country music is if you listen to enough off it, it all starts sounding the same. This is why you need country rock songs.
We had amazing pizza after the bar, the best Domino's I have ever had. Jeff and I crashed at James's and I got the short couch. This might explain why my back and legs are stiff and sore today. Today's breakfast choice was Richie's and it was good, as it usually is. The restaurant was busy as we arrived during the after church rush and just before the hungover crowd.
"Got two reasons why I cry away each lonely night, the first one's named Sweet Anne Marie and she's my hearts delight, the second one is prison, baby, the sheriff's on my trial and if he catches up to me, I will spend my life in jail....."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jPhTDP6j5Hw
Above is an acoustic cover of the Grateful Dead's Friend Of The Devil by Counting Crows. I like the way they are able to take a song and recreate it as their own, whether it is better than the original or not doesn't matter, they are songs they like to play and it comes through in the performance.
The weather has been absolutely crappy all day. I first heard the rain around 7 am, I am a light sleeper when I am not in my own bed. The rest of the day has just been overcast, windy and cold. It is 8 degrees right now and once again typical May 24 long weekend weather. The type of weather that allows you not to feel bad being hungover and watching sports.
Team Canada lost a heartbreaking game against Russia today at the World Hockey Championship, leading 4-2 Canada lost 5-4 in overtime. Kovalchuk's goal gave the Russians the Gold medal and Canada silver. Of course with the NHL playoffs still going on, neither team had their very best but Russia will be a major force at the 2010 Olympics.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are the first team in the Stanley Cup finals beating Philadelphia 6-0 today and winning the series 4-1. They will play Detroit or Dallas, I will pick them to win against either of those teams. Pittsburgh is young and fun to watch.
Despite 45 points LeBron James and Cleveland are out of the NBA playoffs losing game 7 against Boston. James nearly had a legendary game and almost got his team an upset over Boston. He needs more of a surrounding cast before he is able to bring Cleveland a championship.
Plus the Jays have won 6-5 after a couple rain delays. Too bad for viewers on Sportsnet Ontario we didn't get to see the finish of it.
Why not complete my sports watching with a little tennis, Rafal Nadal beat Roger Federer in Hamburg for his 11th Masters Series championship. Nadal is 108-2 (yes 2) in his last 110 clay court matches, one of those loses was to Federer at the same tourament last year. So sweet revenge was today's victory.
Of course it isn't like I watched everything completely, I am a channel flipper and nothing keeps my attention completely. Sunday's this time of the year are sports heaven. At least if you are single, if not it might be hell.
"These train conversations are passing me by and I don't have nothing to say, you get what you pay for but I just had no intention of living this way..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Qq_XmbU7ziY
The following is from Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides. It is a pretty good read thus far. "We Greeks get married in circles, to impress upon ourselves the essential matrimonial facts: that to be happy you have to find variety in repetition; that to go foward you have to come back where you began."
Everything is moving towards an ending and most of the time we wish we could begin again.
I suppose the following are perfect lyrics for me today.
"I need a raincoat, I need a big love..." from Rain King/Raining In Baltimore above or "it's a dangerous time for a heart on a wire..." from Goodnight L.A. below.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YnlA0t9Ub7A
jr.
We had amazing pizza after the bar, the best Domino's I have ever had. Jeff and I crashed at James's and I got the short couch. This might explain why my back and legs are stiff and sore today. Today's breakfast choice was Richie's and it was good, as it usually is. The restaurant was busy as we arrived during the after church rush and just before the hungover crowd.
"Got two reasons why I cry away each lonely night, the first one's named Sweet Anne Marie and she's my hearts delight, the second one is prison, baby, the sheriff's on my trial and if he catches up to me, I will spend my life in jail....."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jPhTDP6j5Hw
Above is an acoustic cover of the Grateful Dead's Friend Of The Devil by Counting Crows. I like the way they are able to take a song and recreate it as their own, whether it is better than the original or not doesn't matter, they are songs they like to play and it comes through in the performance.
The weather has been absolutely crappy all day. I first heard the rain around 7 am, I am a light sleeper when I am not in my own bed. The rest of the day has just been overcast, windy and cold. It is 8 degrees right now and once again typical May 24 long weekend weather. The type of weather that allows you not to feel bad being hungover and watching sports.
Team Canada lost a heartbreaking game against Russia today at the World Hockey Championship, leading 4-2 Canada lost 5-4 in overtime. Kovalchuk's goal gave the Russians the Gold medal and Canada silver. Of course with the NHL playoffs still going on, neither team had their very best but Russia will be a major force at the 2010 Olympics.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are the first team in the Stanley Cup finals beating Philadelphia 6-0 today and winning the series 4-1. They will play Detroit or Dallas, I will pick them to win against either of those teams. Pittsburgh is young and fun to watch.
Despite 45 points LeBron James and Cleveland are out of the NBA playoffs losing game 7 against Boston. James nearly had a legendary game and almost got his team an upset over Boston. He needs more of a surrounding cast before he is able to bring Cleveland a championship.
Plus the Jays have won 6-5 after a couple rain delays. Too bad for viewers on Sportsnet Ontario we didn't get to see the finish of it.
Why not complete my sports watching with a little tennis, Rafal Nadal beat Roger Federer in Hamburg for his 11th Masters Series championship. Nadal is 108-2 (yes 2) in his last 110 clay court matches, one of those loses was to Federer at the same tourament last year. So sweet revenge was today's victory.
Of course it isn't like I watched everything completely, I am a channel flipper and nothing keeps my attention completely. Sunday's this time of the year are sports heaven. At least if you are single, if not it might be hell.
"These train conversations are passing me by and I don't have nothing to say, you get what you pay for but I just had no intention of living this way..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Qq_XmbU7ziY
The following is from Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides. It is a pretty good read thus far. "We Greeks get married in circles, to impress upon ourselves the essential matrimonial facts: that to be happy you have to find variety in repetition; that to go foward you have to come back where you began."
Everything is moving towards an ending and most of the time we wish we could begin again.
I suppose the following are perfect lyrics for me today.
"I need a raincoat, I need a big love..." from Rain King/Raining In Baltimore above or "it's a dangerous time for a heart on a wire..." from Goodnight L.A. below.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YnlA0t9Ub7A
jr.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
"I said my heart, it don't beat, it don't beat the way it used to and my eyes don't recognize you no more......"
God, it is windy today. The sky can't decide whether it wants to be white clouds and blue sky, dark clouds and rain, or blue skies and sun. It is a very typical May long weekend weather, a little bit of everything.
Last night some of us boys went to Joe Kools for a night of beverages and other festivities. It isn't my favourite bar in London but I like it better than I used to, perhaps because I am older. Though having your ass grabbed by someone who looks like she could be older than your mother is still a little weird. All the while wondering if some of the other women are old enough to be having adult beverages. I must admit I did enjoy the night and it's randomness. For relatively unassuming guys we do have some interesting nights. Alcohol helps or maybe it hinders. The verdict is probably still pending.
After the night, breakfast at the Campus Hi-Fi was very much needed. I should actually be napping, because it is Saturday and most likely another night among the shadows is on the menu. I tried to read on our balcony but it was too windy and my head hurt, so I basically lied there listening to some live Counting Crows. There could be worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon.
"Jealousy, turning saints into the sea, swimming through sick lullabies, choking on your alibis...."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zLp5ygeD8co
Thursday night was poker night and we had a good turnout of 8 players. I was up $70 or so until D.T. and his good luck machine showed up. The guy is a very good player, unpredictable and willing to gamble, which makes him extremely tough to go up against. Plus there is a horse shoe somewhere up his ass. The game was really loose with lots of big pots, it was actually a very enjoyable night of cards. I ended the night up $35 which was better than I expected as my own luck turned after it had been gold earlier in the night.
"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://youtube.com/watch?v=8cFDzSvKQbY
I really like the Killers and in particular the song above Read My Mind. Very good driving song.
Wednesday night I watched a movie called Grace Is gone. It stars John Cusack as the husband of an American soldier who is killed in Iraq. Upon hearing the news of his wife's death Cusack decides to take his daughters on a trip across America from Illinois to Enchanted Gardens in Florida. Cusack is very good as an emotionally guarded father and the girls who play his 12 and 8 year old daughters are excellent. This movie is very sad, as you get to know the girls and at the same time know their lives are going to change very soon. There are certain things in life we would like to put off telling others but eventually have to. The movie is slightly political because it asks the very honest question of whether these soldiers are dying for anything. Are these little girls losing their mother in a country where she shouldn't be fighting. The real review is below.
http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/12/07/movies/07grac.html?ex=1354683600&en=c4ae1f67fd2445a1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
I think John Cusack is underrated as an actor because he plays a lot of roles that are very similar but for me having him in a movie is like seeing an old friend. A list of my favourite movies with him in them are below.
Being John Malkovich
High Fidelity
Gross Pointe Blank
Eight Men Out
Sixteen Candles
Runaway Jury
Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil
Must Love Dogs
There are some reasons which will be easily known and there are other reasons which are not so easily known. Perhaps we and in particular me, don't have to know all the reasons especially in the heart's universe.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=T1dSkEHQCQU
john.
Last night some of us boys went to Joe Kools for a night of beverages and other festivities. It isn't my favourite bar in London but I like it better than I used to, perhaps because I am older. Though having your ass grabbed by someone who looks like she could be older than your mother is still a little weird. All the while wondering if some of the other women are old enough to be having adult beverages. I must admit I did enjoy the night and it's randomness. For relatively unassuming guys we do have some interesting nights. Alcohol helps or maybe it hinders. The verdict is probably still pending.
After the night, breakfast at the Campus Hi-Fi was very much needed. I should actually be napping, because it is Saturday and most likely another night among the shadows is on the menu. I tried to read on our balcony but it was too windy and my head hurt, so I basically lied there listening to some live Counting Crows. There could be worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon.
"Jealousy, turning saints into the sea, swimming through sick lullabies, choking on your alibis...."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zLp5ygeD8co
Thursday night was poker night and we had a good turnout of 8 players. I was up $70 or so until D.T. and his good luck machine showed up. The guy is a very good player, unpredictable and willing to gamble, which makes him extremely tough to go up against. Plus there is a horse shoe somewhere up his ass. The game was really loose with lots of big pots, it was actually a very enjoyable night of cards. I ended the night up $35 which was better than I expected as my own luck turned after it had been gold earlier in the night.
"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://youtube.com/watch?v=8cFDzSvKQbY
I really like the Killers and in particular the song above Read My Mind. Very good driving song.
Wednesday night I watched a movie called Grace Is gone. It stars John Cusack as the husband of an American soldier who is killed in Iraq. Upon hearing the news of his wife's death Cusack decides to take his daughters on a trip across America from Illinois to Enchanted Gardens in Florida. Cusack is very good as an emotionally guarded father and the girls who play his 12 and 8 year old daughters are excellent. This movie is very sad, as you get to know the girls and at the same time know their lives are going to change very soon. There are certain things in life we would like to put off telling others but eventually have to. The movie is slightly political because it asks the very honest question of whether these soldiers are dying for anything. Are these little girls losing their mother in a country where she shouldn't be fighting. The real review is below.
http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/12/07/movies/07grac.html?ex=1354683600&en=c4ae1f67fd2445a1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
I think John Cusack is underrated as an actor because he plays a lot of roles that are very similar but for me having him in a movie is like seeing an old friend. A list of my favourite movies with him in them are below.
Being John Malkovich
High Fidelity
Gross Pointe Blank
Eight Men Out
Sixteen Candles
Runaway Jury
Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil
Must Love Dogs
There are some reasons which will be easily known and there are other reasons which are not so easily known. Perhaps we and in particular me, don't have to know all the reasons especially in the heart's universe.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=T1dSkEHQCQU
john.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
"I walked across an empty land, I knew the pathway like the back of my hand........"
Gone are the nearly clear blue skies of yesterday. It has been raining and depressing outside for most of the day. We do need the rain or so I am told.
I was watching the coverage coming from China and the destruction caused by Monday's earthquake is really bad. They are just starting to dig under the rocks looking for survivors, there are few. A girl was pulled from the rubble after 50 hours and looked to be in good condition. The number of missing or dead are becoming staggering, approaching 50,000 by some counts. The number of dead will continue to rise because China is slow in accepting aid and giving access to aid workers. The initial hours are the most important and many of the aid agencies are stuck in red tape. China is a country of endless red tape. This tragedy is not going to change this fact.
"Time goes by at such a pace, it's funny how it's easy to forget her face, you hide the cracks, the facts will find you, turn your back and leave the lonely days behind you now..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QC1fUaeTD-c
I wrote the following piece this afternoon. It is basically about what it feels like to not be able to recognize yourself or others.
Undistinguishable
I was wondering about love
The sky was basically blue
A few traces of white lingered
Half of Earth’s moon shadowed
The sun was at its May best
A coloured man played his drums
Skin and faces passed by
Some looked familiar and some not
I wanted to touch a few
Their skin looked smooth and sexy
Deep eyes full of mystery
Perfect women to dream with
When sleep arrives after pleasure
A horn honks and words are screamed
Some people are never happy
I am nothing but lonely
The clock chimes above in its tower
Another day turned by invisible hands
A crane lifts me to unbelievable heights
Buildings and houses become smaller
Miniature people enter and leave them
Their faces completely undistinguishable
I see mine this way in the mirror
Every morning after I wake up
The night has written its secrets
Across the bridge of my nose
Cutting my face into two sections
Sort of bad and really bad
Terrible is sleeping completely alone
When you should not be
I was dreaming about loss
The sun was barely rising
A few rays of red emerged
All of the Earth’s moon lingered
May was not yet at her best
Thinking too much is a curse
Nothing good can come from it
I had forgotten about you
For the length of an afternoon
Until I realized where I was
Small birds approached and retreated
You would have fed them
Loving too much is a gift
Letting go of it is tough.
05/14/08
"I walk along these hillsides in the summer beneath the sunshine. I am feathered by the moonlight falling down on me...."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NIUAWqLFU9o
Above is a beautiful acoustic version of A Murder Of One by Counting Crows. Adam Duritz once explain the song in the following way: "I can remember being eight years old and having infinite possibilities. But life ends up being so much less that we thought it would be when we were kids, with relationships that are so empty and stupid and brutal. If you don't find a way to break the chain and change in some way, then you wind up, as the rhyme goes: a murder of one, for sorrow."
Somehow Canadian serial killer Clifford Olson has got himself a Myspace page. Of course there is the obvious outrage from his victims families over this and they want the page taken down. Correction Canada claims it is impossible for him to have a page because he is not given the Internet freedom needed. It is possible that the site could be a fake, I tried to find the page but couldn't. Below is a link to the article about the page and there is a link to Olson's page on Wikipedia.
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=6986394a-cf40-4768-aa23-0ea5628045d4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifford_Olson
"There are days when outside your window, I see my reflection as I slowly pass and I long for this mirrored perspective when we'll be lovers, lovers at last...."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JmS0Kjxs2v4
A couple of days ago I was blogging about Death Cab For Cutie and the link above is from their performance on Letterman last night. I thought it was pretty good, I am not sure if I am going to buy or download their new album. Yes, I still buy the occasional album (CD). Album just sounds so much better.
So John Edwards has decided to endorse Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination and this might just be the final nail in Clinton's coffin. She's fought the good and bad fight long enough, time to move on.
"This is the last time that I will show my face..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gppLf4XduoI
In a surprise move today Justine Henin has decided to retire from tennis. Henin is currently ranked #1 on the WTA tour. Henin retires at 25 having won 41 singles tournament titles including 7 Grand Slam wins, 4 French, 2 U.S. Open and 1 Australian Open title. She also won a gold medal in 2004 at the Athens summer Olympics. She was 493-107, an awesome winning percentage of 82% and won just under 20 million dollars. Success on the court for Justine came with personal failures off the court. Her mother died when she was 12, an older sister died before Justine was born, she went years without privately speaking with her father, her older brother was in a serious car accident and she is currently separated from her husband. She has struggled this year and time might have finally caught up to her. Tennis has a short career span, at the elite level. Where Justine wanted to be remembered at and not below the best. Few people choose to leave at the top of their sport and she has decided to. Which is admirable.
There are places only we know as being special. They might seem completely ordinary to anyone else but to us they are more. Going there is not always easy because our memories want to bring everyone we loved and lost along with us.
Keane is a great band, check them out.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qVOa4-JwdV8
john.
I was watching the coverage coming from China and the destruction caused by Monday's earthquake is really bad. They are just starting to dig under the rocks looking for survivors, there are few. A girl was pulled from the rubble after 50 hours and looked to be in good condition. The number of missing or dead are becoming staggering, approaching 50,000 by some counts. The number of dead will continue to rise because China is slow in accepting aid and giving access to aid workers. The initial hours are the most important and many of the aid agencies are stuck in red tape. China is a country of endless red tape. This tragedy is not going to change this fact.
"Time goes by at such a pace, it's funny how it's easy to forget her face, you hide the cracks, the facts will find you, turn your back and leave the lonely days behind you now..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QC1fUaeTD-c
I wrote the following piece this afternoon. It is basically about what it feels like to not be able to recognize yourself or others.
Undistinguishable
I was wondering about love
The sky was basically blue
A few traces of white lingered
Half of Earth’s moon shadowed
The sun was at its May best
A coloured man played his drums
Skin and faces passed by
Some looked familiar and some not
I wanted to touch a few
Their skin looked smooth and sexy
Deep eyes full of mystery
Perfect women to dream with
When sleep arrives after pleasure
A horn honks and words are screamed
Some people are never happy
I am nothing but lonely
The clock chimes above in its tower
Another day turned by invisible hands
A crane lifts me to unbelievable heights
Buildings and houses become smaller
Miniature people enter and leave them
Their faces completely undistinguishable
I see mine this way in the mirror
Every morning after I wake up
The night has written its secrets
Across the bridge of my nose
Cutting my face into two sections
Sort of bad and really bad
Terrible is sleeping completely alone
When you should not be
I was dreaming about loss
The sun was barely rising
A few rays of red emerged
All of the Earth’s moon lingered
May was not yet at her best
Thinking too much is a curse
Nothing good can come from it
I had forgotten about you
For the length of an afternoon
Until I realized where I was
Small birds approached and retreated
You would have fed them
Loving too much is a gift
Letting go of it is tough.
05/14/08
"I walk along these hillsides in the summer beneath the sunshine. I am feathered by the moonlight falling down on me...."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NIUAWqLFU9o
Above is a beautiful acoustic version of A Murder Of One by Counting Crows. Adam Duritz once explain the song in the following way: "I can remember being eight years old and having infinite possibilities. But life ends up being so much less that we thought it would be when we were kids, with relationships that are so empty and stupid and brutal. If you don't find a way to break the chain and change in some way, then you wind up, as the rhyme goes: a murder of one, for sorrow."
Somehow Canadian serial killer Clifford Olson has got himself a Myspace page. Of course there is the obvious outrage from his victims families over this and they want the page taken down. Correction Canada claims it is impossible for him to have a page because he is not given the Internet freedom needed. It is possible that the site could be a fake, I tried to find the page but couldn't. Below is a link to the article about the page and there is a link to Olson's page on Wikipedia.
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=6986394a-cf40-4768-aa23-0ea5628045d4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifford_Olson
"There are days when outside your window, I see my reflection as I slowly pass and I long for this mirrored perspective when we'll be lovers, lovers at last...."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JmS0Kjxs2v4
A couple of days ago I was blogging about Death Cab For Cutie and the link above is from their performance on Letterman last night. I thought it was pretty good, I am not sure if I am going to buy or download their new album. Yes, I still buy the occasional album (CD). Album just sounds so much better.
So John Edwards has decided to endorse Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination and this might just be the final nail in Clinton's coffin. She's fought the good and bad fight long enough, time to move on.
"This is the last time that I will show my face..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gppLf4XduoI
In a surprise move today Justine Henin has decided to retire from tennis. Henin is currently ranked #1 on the WTA tour. Henin retires at 25 having won 41 singles tournament titles including 7 Grand Slam wins, 4 French, 2 U.S. Open and 1 Australian Open title. She also won a gold medal in 2004 at the Athens summer Olympics. She was 493-107, an awesome winning percentage of 82% and won just under 20 million dollars. Success on the court for Justine came with personal failures off the court. Her mother died when she was 12, an older sister died before Justine was born, she went years without privately speaking with her father, her older brother was in a serious car accident and she is currently separated from her husband. She has struggled this year and time might have finally caught up to her. Tennis has a short career span, at the elite level. Where Justine wanted to be remembered at and not below the best. Few people choose to leave at the top of their sport and she has decided to. Which is admirable.
There are places only we know as being special. They might seem completely ordinary to anyone else but to us they are more. Going there is not always easy because our memories want to bring everyone we loved and lost along with us.
Keane is a great band, check them out.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qVOa4-JwdV8
john.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
"I want to feel sunlight on my face......"
It is Tuesday and the countdown is below. You Can't Count On Me by Counting Crows remains at #1, it is my countdown after all.
So it was a beautiful day today, breezy and close to 20 degrees, a nearly clear blue sky and sun. A perfect day for a movie matinee. Well not exactly but I went to see Iron Man. I pretty much enjoyed it. I liked Downey's charming sarcasm and the fact that they gave Paltrow as little as possible to do or say. She didn't ruin the movie and looked good. Jeff Bridges is excellent as the "bad guy"/"back stabber". The actions sequences are pretty good, they reminded me a lot of Transformers. This is a #1 movie that deserves to be. A better review is below.
http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/05/02/movies/02iron.html?ref=movies
Yesterday I watched Elizabeth: The Golden Age because I was bored, it was alright. Anything with Blanchett in it is worth its time, she is that good. Though it is surprising that she has only 1 Oscar out of her 4 nominations.
I bought a new book today called Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (author of The Virgin Suicides) and am looking forward to reading it. It is a Pulitzer Prize winning book and hopefully I find it as good as their judges did. I finished Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures by Vincent Lam which was a decent book. I think I have found my reading attention grove which I thought I had lost during last autumn.
Not much of a blog, it is currently 15 and dusk is settling in. Mr. Bob Cole tells me it is 2-1 for Pittsburgh over Philadelphia. I did feel sunlight on my face today.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GpVbLm4TN3g
jr.
Top 100 Songs Played This Year On My iTunes Player
1. You Can't Count On Me by Counting Crows (1)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EYfnEYVpSe8
2. Creep by Radiohead (3)
3. When I Dream Of Michelangelo by Counting Crows (2)
4. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by C.C.R. (5)
5. The One I Love by David Gray (4)
6. Guaranteed by Eddie Vedder (18)
7. Long Road To Ruin by Foo Fighters (6)
8. Cowboys by Counting Crows (10)
9. Say It To Me Now by Glen Hansard (11)
10. If I Had Eyes by Jack Johnson (9)
11. Sunday Morning Coming Down (Live) by Johnny Cash (8)
12. Always by Neverending White Lights (12)
13. Thinking About You by Norah Jones (7)
14. Empty by Ray LaMontagne (13)
15. One by U2 (14)
16. Everybody Knows by Ryan Adams (34)
17. Hannah by Ray LaMontagne (24)
18. Wonderwall by Oasis (16)
19. Calling All Friends by Low Stars (17)
20. Hard Sun by Eddie Vedder (20)
21. Blanket Of Ghosts by Dustin Kensrue (19)
22. Waiting by City and Colour (44)
23. Society by Eddie Vedder (21)
24. NYC by Interpol (25)
25. Imitation Of Life by R.E.M. (15)
26. Let It Ride by Ryan Adams (23)
27. Falling Slowly by The Frames (26)
28. Southern Girl by Amos Lee (27)
29. Michelle by The Beatles (47)
30. Diamonds On The Inside by Ben Harper (46)
31. Talk Shows On Mute by Incubus (40)
32. Boy With A Coin by Iron and Wine (29)
33. When You Were Young by The Killers (30)
34. The Great Escape by Patrick Watson (32)
35. The Bends by Radiohead (33)
36. Montebello Park by The Trews (38)
37. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2 (22)
38. Love Hurts by Incubus (28)
39. My List by The Killers (37)
40. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison (36)
41. Lemon Parade by Tonic (35)
42. The Blues by Switchfoot (57)
43. Black Star (Acoustic) by Radiohead (56)
44. Everything by Micheal Buble (31)
45. Love Stoned by Justin Timberlake (55)
46. You're Beautiful (Acoustic) by James Blunt (54)
47. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature by The Guess Who (41)
48. A Long December by Counting Crows (48)
49. Baby I Love Your Way by Bob Marley (45)
50. Let It Be by The Beatles (50)
51. Trouble by Coldplay (NR)
52. High Life by Counting Crows (66)
53. Oceanside by The Decemberists (42)
54. Anna Molly by Incubus (53)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p93XOlLoFws
55. Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd (62)
56. Jumpin' Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones (39)
57. Please Be Patient With Me by Wilco (58)
58. The Hardest Part by Coldplay (79)
59. Have You Seen Me Lately? (Acoustic) by Counting Crows (43)
60. Club Thing by Yoav (90)
61. Ashes Of American Flags by Wilco (96)
62. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison (97)
63. With Or Without You by U2 (59)
64. The Con by Tegan and Sara (98)
65. Million Faces by Paolo Nutini (NR)
66. Your Song by Elton John (NR)
67. Your Heart Is An Empty Room by Death Cab For Cutie (64)
68. Tripping Billies (Live) by Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds (52)
69. Sleep Don't Weep by Damien Rice (51)
70. Daylight Fading by Counting Crows (92)
71. Some Surprise by The Cake Sale (Featuring Lisa Hannigan and Gary Lightbody) (78)
72. All I Ever Wanted (Live) by Brian Melo (77)
73. The Weight by The Band (49)
74. Elephant by Damien Rice (69)
75. Long Line Of Pain by Amos Lee (68)
76. Antichrist Television Blues by The Arcade Fire (67)
77. Is There A Ghost? by Band Of Horses (73)
78. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles (74)
79. Against The Wind by Bob Seger (75)
80. No Breaks by The Bravery (76)
81. St. Robinson In His Cadillac Dream (Live) by Counting Crows (71)
82. Rootless Tree by Damien Rice (65)
83. So Long, So Long by Dashboard Confessional with Adam Duritz (81)
84. Satellite (Live) by Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds (NR)
85. O Valencia by The Decemberists (93)
86. 1973 by James Blunt (83)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uWeqeQkjLto
87. Girl In The War by Josh Ritter (NR)
88. Ramble On by Led Zeppelin (84)
89. The River by Live (63)
90. Alert Status Red by Matthew Good (61)
91. Around The Sun by R.E.M. (NR)
92. Jigsaw Falling Into Place by Radiohead (60)
93. Thank You by The Redwalls (88)
94. You Are My Face by Wilco (NR)
95. Twist and Shout by The Beatles (91)
96. Miller's Angels by Counting Crows (70)
97. Supernatural Superserious by R.E.M. (NR)
98. 1492 by Counting Crows (80)
99. Rain King (Acoustic) by Counting Crows (NR)
100. Ghost Train by Counting Crows (NR)
So it was a beautiful day today, breezy and close to 20 degrees, a nearly clear blue sky and sun. A perfect day for a movie matinee. Well not exactly but I went to see Iron Man. I pretty much enjoyed it. I liked Downey's charming sarcasm and the fact that they gave Paltrow as little as possible to do or say. She didn't ruin the movie and looked good. Jeff Bridges is excellent as the "bad guy"/"back stabber". The actions sequences are pretty good, they reminded me a lot of Transformers. This is a #1 movie that deserves to be. A better review is below.
http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/05/02/movies/02iron.html?ref=movies
Yesterday I watched Elizabeth: The Golden Age because I was bored, it was alright. Anything with Blanchett in it is worth its time, she is that good. Though it is surprising that she has only 1 Oscar out of her 4 nominations.
I bought a new book today called Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (author of The Virgin Suicides) and am looking forward to reading it. It is a Pulitzer Prize winning book and hopefully I find it as good as their judges did. I finished Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures by Vincent Lam which was a decent book. I think I have found my reading attention grove which I thought I had lost during last autumn.
Not much of a blog, it is currently 15 and dusk is settling in. Mr. Bob Cole tells me it is 2-1 for Pittsburgh over Philadelphia. I did feel sunlight on my face today.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GpVbLm4TN3g
jr.
Top 100 Songs Played This Year On My iTunes Player
1. You Can't Count On Me by Counting Crows (1)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EYfnEYVpSe8
2. Creep by Radiohead (3)
3. When I Dream Of Michelangelo by Counting Crows (2)
4. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by C.C.R. (5)
5. The One I Love by David Gray (4)
6. Guaranteed by Eddie Vedder (18)
7. Long Road To Ruin by Foo Fighters (6)
8. Cowboys by Counting Crows (10)
9. Say It To Me Now by Glen Hansard (11)
10. If I Had Eyes by Jack Johnson (9)
11. Sunday Morning Coming Down (Live) by Johnny Cash (8)
12. Always by Neverending White Lights (12)
13. Thinking About You by Norah Jones (7)
14. Empty by Ray LaMontagne (13)
15. One by U2 (14)
16. Everybody Knows by Ryan Adams (34)
17. Hannah by Ray LaMontagne (24)
18. Wonderwall by Oasis (16)
19. Calling All Friends by Low Stars (17)
20. Hard Sun by Eddie Vedder (20)
21. Blanket Of Ghosts by Dustin Kensrue (19)
22. Waiting by City and Colour (44)
23. Society by Eddie Vedder (21)
24. NYC by Interpol (25)
25. Imitation Of Life by R.E.M. (15)
26. Let It Ride by Ryan Adams (23)
27. Falling Slowly by The Frames (26)
28. Southern Girl by Amos Lee (27)
29. Michelle by The Beatles (47)
30. Diamonds On The Inside by Ben Harper (46)
31. Talk Shows On Mute by Incubus (40)
32. Boy With A Coin by Iron and Wine (29)
33. When You Were Young by The Killers (30)
34. The Great Escape by Patrick Watson (32)
35. The Bends by Radiohead (33)
36. Montebello Park by The Trews (38)
37. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2 (22)
38. Love Hurts by Incubus (28)
39. My List by The Killers (37)
40. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison (36)
41. Lemon Parade by Tonic (35)
42. The Blues by Switchfoot (57)
43. Black Star (Acoustic) by Radiohead (56)
44. Everything by Micheal Buble (31)
45. Love Stoned by Justin Timberlake (55)
46. You're Beautiful (Acoustic) by James Blunt (54)
47. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature by The Guess Who (41)
48. A Long December by Counting Crows (48)
49. Baby I Love Your Way by Bob Marley (45)
50. Let It Be by The Beatles (50)
51. Trouble by Coldplay (NR)
52. High Life by Counting Crows (66)
53. Oceanside by The Decemberists (42)
54. Anna Molly by Incubus (53)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p93XOlLoFws
55. Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd (62)
56. Jumpin' Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones (39)
57. Please Be Patient With Me by Wilco (58)
58. The Hardest Part by Coldplay (79)
59. Have You Seen Me Lately? (Acoustic) by Counting Crows (43)
60. Club Thing by Yoav (90)
61. Ashes Of American Flags by Wilco (96)
62. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison (97)
63. With Or Without You by U2 (59)
64. The Con by Tegan and Sara (98)
65. Million Faces by Paolo Nutini (NR)
66. Your Song by Elton John (NR)
67. Your Heart Is An Empty Room by Death Cab For Cutie (64)
68. Tripping Billies (Live) by Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds (52)
69. Sleep Don't Weep by Damien Rice (51)
70. Daylight Fading by Counting Crows (92)
71. Some Surprise by The Cake Sale (Featuring Lisa Hannigan and Gary Lightbody) (78)
72. All I Ever Wanted (Live) by Brian Melo (77)
73. The Weight by The Band (49)
74. Elephant by Damien Rice (69)
75. Long Line Of Pain by Amos Lee (68)
76. Antichrist Television Blues by The Arcade Fire (67)
77. Is There A Ghost? by Band Of Horses (73)
78. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles (74)
79. Against The Wind by Bob Seger (75)
80. No Breaks by The Bravery (76)
81. St. Robinson In His Cadillac Dream (Live) by Counting Crows (71)
82. Rootless Tree by Damien Rice (65)
83. So Long, So Long by Dashboard Confessional with Adam Duritz (81)
84. Satellite (Live) by Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds (NR)
85. O Valencia by The Decemberists (93)
86. 1973 by James Blunt (83)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uWeqeQkjLto
87. Girl In The War by Josh Ritter (NR)
88. Ramble On by Led Zeppelin (84)
89. The River by Live (63)
90. Alert Status Red by Matthew Good (61)
91. Around The Sun by R.E.M. (NR)
92. Jigsaw Falling Into Place by Radiohead (60)
93. Thank You by The Redwalls (88)
94. You Are My Face by Wilco (NR)
95. Twist and Shout by The Beatles (91)
96. Miller's Angels by Counting Crows (70)
97. Supernatural Superserious by R.E.M. (NR)
98. 1492 by Counting Crows (80)
99. Rain King (Acoustic) by Counting Crows (NR)
100. Ghost Train by Counting Crows (NR)
Monday, May 12, 2008
"Used to have so many plans, something always seemed to turn out wrong, never could catch up to you, moving on and doing all you've done..."
There have always been natural disasters throughout history. So what happened last week in Myanmar and today in China should not surprise anyone. Cyclones are naturally occurring events as are earthquakes. The problem facing the world in 2008 is that many of our countries are over populated. This means when natural disasters hit they bring more death than necessary. The earthquake that hit China today has already killed over 10,000 in a country of over 1.3 Billion people. China makes up 20% of the world's population and the world's population has doubled since 1960. I really think nature is continuing about its normal sequence of events but its storms are more deadly because there are more of us. Global Warming might play a factor in contributing to more freak storms but this is also because there are more of us warming up our planet. I would never want to sound unsympathetic but these events are nature's way of controlling our planet. There will be another major plague in the next 100 years and it will get our population down to sustainable levels. It is unfortunate but it is necessary.
"Oh If I was a train, I would never slow down with my head in the sky and the world going by, every nowhere town..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3BoLqe8wJPM
After the rain and before the rain, I wrote the following piece. It is basically a continuation of my opinions above. It is called Population Control.
Population Control
We are not doing a good job
Controlling our planet’s population
Therefore nature is rescuing herself
With cyclones and earthquakes
Myanmar last week and China today
The poorest people always die
Because there are too many of them
It might not be right to say
But it is correct and necessary
They reproduce above their subsistence level
Barely able to look after themselves
They have too many children
Who never stand a chance
When crisis situations arrive
I watch the television, CNN
Between campaigns and wars
There are stories of world devastation
My eyes barely blink for them
Not because I do not care
But I know it is only natural
Nature will control our population
If we cannot do its ourselves
I live in a beautifully large country
With a birth rate of slightly over 1.5
Our equally beautiful women
Know it is a privilege to be a mother
Children here are not over worked
Before they reach the age of ten
Sure we are not perfect or claim to be
Though when disaster strikes us
We are not overcrowded with people
Perhaps this is why nature is kind to us
Allowing us to live happily and healthy
As long as we stay within our means
The sadness of tragedy is powerful
I do not mean to diminish it at all
But there are too many people living
This is a simple fact of this planet
Until every society recognizes this reality
There will be too many deaths
Coming from unavoidable disasters
05/12/08
"It would be great to be so strong, never needing anybody else to get along but we're so scared of the silence and the tricks that we use, oh we're careful and we're cunning, but we're easily bruised, I don't want to lie about it, I'm not bulletproof...."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GUB9F0VCigI
None of us are bulletproof, this much I believe. The State of Israel turned 60 this week and below is an opinion column from the New York Times about this occasional and what it signifies. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/opinion/12kristol.html?em&ex=1210737600&en=34abbd6161d1d55d&ei=5087%0A
"I been hangin' around this town on the corner, I been bummin' around this old town so long..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uR6U5Bt3zog
Well it happened again during the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia hockey game last night. They played Hanging Around by Counting Crows when Braydon Coburn of Philadelphia was hit in the face the puck and needed attention. Perhaps they play the song in Pittsburgh during delays, I still think it is cool and since he was down for a couple of minutes, I got to hear most of the song. Unfortunately for Coburn and the Flyers he never returned. Pittsburgh won the game 4-2 again, this time with Crosby leading the way with a goal and an assist, along with 3 assists from Gonchar. Malkin was non-existent but with Crosby stepping up it wasn't a problem. They now lead the series 2-0 heading east to Philadelphia for game 3.
I think it is very possible to be plagued by bad timing and I think it is especially true regarding circumstances of love.
Blue Rodeo is a great Canadian band, check them out.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=o5I242rof2o
jr.
"Oh If I was a train, I would never slow down with my head in the sky and the world going by, every nowhere town..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3BoLqe8wJPM
After the rain and before the rain, I wrote the following piece. It is basically a continuation of my opinions above. It is called Population Control.
Population Control
We are not doing a good job
Controlling our planet’s population
Therefore nature is rescuing herself
With cyclones and earthquakes
Myanmar last week and China today
The poorest people always die
Because there are too many of them
It might not be right to say
But it is correct and necessary
They reproduce above their subsistence level
Barely able to look after themselves
They have too many children
Who never stand a chance
When crisis situations arrive
I watch the television, CNN
Between campaigns and wars
There are stories of world devastation
My eyes barely blink for them
Not because I do not care
But I know it is only natural
Nature will control our population
If we cannot do its ourselves
I live in a beautifully large country
With a birth rate of slightly over 1.5
Our equally beautiful women
Know it is a privilege to be a mother
Children here are not over worked
Before they reach the age of ten
Sure we are not perfect or claim to be
Though when disaster strikes us
We are not overcrowded with people
Perhaps this is why nature is kind to us
Allowing us to live happily and healthy
As long as we stay within our means
The sadness of tragedy is powerful
I do not mean to diminish it at all
But there are too many people living
This is a simple fact of this planet
Until every society recognizes this reality
There will be too many deaths
Coming from unavoidable disasters
05/12/08
"It would be great to be so strong, never needing anybody else to get along but we're so scared of the silence and the tricks that we use, oh we're careful and we're cunning, but we're easily bruised, I don't want to lie about it, I'm not bulletproof...."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GUB9F0VCigI
None of us are bulletproof, this much I believe. The State of Israel turned 60 this week and below is an opinion column from the New York Times about this occasional and what it signifies. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/opinion/12kristol.html?em&ex=1210737600&en=34abbd6161d1d55d&ei=5087%0A
"I been hangin' around this town on the corner, I been bummin' around this old town so long..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uR6U5Bt3zog
Well it happened again during the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia hockey game last night. They played Hanging Around by Counting Crows when Braydon Coburn of Philadelphia was hit in the face the puck and needed attention. Perhaps they play the song in Pittsburgh during delays, I still think it is cool and since he was down for a couple of minutes, I got to hear most of the song. Unfortunately for Coburn and the Flyers he never returned. Pittsburgh won the game 4-2 again, this time with Crosby leading the way with a goal and an assist, along with 3 assists from Gonchar. Malkin was non-existent but with Crosby stepping up it wasn't a problem. They now lead the series 2-0 heading east to Philadelphia for game 3.
I think it is very possible to be plagued by bad timing and I think it is especially true regarding circumstances of love.
Blue Rodeo is a great Canadian band, check them out.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=o5I242rof2o
jr.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
"I once knew a girl in the years of my youth with eyes like the summer, all beauty and truth...."
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and grandmothers. They have given us the miracle of life and it is honestly a miracle. Though having a child doesn't make someone a mother, they have to be willing to do all the things no one else is able to do. I am lucky to have a really good and loving mother, who did and continues to do all the things no one else can do. I am not the most communicative or open son but I can discuss anything with mother without judgement. She has been there for me, whether I thought I needed her or not. I don't imagine it is easy being a mother, especially as your children get older and need you less. Letting go is not easy to do, no matter what the relationship is. All children will return to their mothers when the time is necessary. It is raining steadily here and we have done nothing overly special today. I got a card and a gift for my mother. I am also lucky to have two loving grandmothers who are also very good examples of what it takes to be a mother.
"Alone on a train aimless in wonder, an outdated map crumbled in my pocket but I didn't care where I was going...."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aRsh2-JGIcE
I often wish I had the resources to just pick up and disappear for a while. I am sure we all think this from time to time, though mine seems to be a daily occurrence. I like to wander, think, observe and in a different place I think it would be better. I think I would be a better person and perhaps able to find some inspiration to live better. I wrote the piece below this afternoon.
Mired By Unspoken Issues
A steady rain falls on this Mother’s Day
Richmond Street appears to be deserted
Gone are all the Saturday night party people
Having noisily disappeared behind curtains
Passing out on familiar couches and unfamiliar beds
I watch the rain and listen to Neon Bible
While thinking about May and its eleven days
There does not seem to be the old happiness
I usually associate with this month’s arrival
People seem to be a little out of sorts
Celebrations have been mired by unspoken issues
Not everything is as it might appear to be
Everyone else has someone to go home to
I wonder though if they are really happy
Their smiles like mine look a little fake
Conversations are not as plentiful or interesting
As they used to be in days already lived
You can find someone and love them
Only to realize it is not enough
They are not quite the person you need
Whether you can get past it or not
Will always be a tough question to answer
There is protection in being with someone
Though being alone gives you freedom
I am not good at being with someone
Too afraid to have my flaws rejected
So there are many moments of introspection
Where I question togetherness and randomness
Unwilling to deny anyone their happiness
As long as it is not an illusion born of loneliness
I have been there and it is a mistake
A street puddle splashes the window
Streaking water down its length
Bringing my view back to the room
Various eyes and varied faces
Beauty is motherhood and its bonds
There will always be sunshine shining for me
When I think of my mother and her love
Not everyone is as lucky as me
Knowing this makes me happy
Even if it is not as often as it should be.
05/11/08
"How I wish you could see the potential, the potential of you and me, it's like a book elegantly bound, but in a language that you can't read - just yet, you gotta spend some time--love, you gotta spend some time with me and I know that you'll find--love, I will possess your heart..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pq-yP7mb8UE
I Will Possess Your Heart is the first single from Death Cab For Cutie's newest album Narrow Stairs due out May 13. I absolutely loved their last album Plans and would often listen to it from front to back without skipping any songs. This is a rarity in today's world of singles bands who can't put together a complete album of material. Narrow Stairs is apparently darker and full of brilliant despair. If this is the case its songs will be a welcomed addition to my music catalogue. The lyric above from I Will Possess Your Heart is something I often wish I could say to a woman I am interested in.
"You think that you can do without me, I can't do anything at all, you think that you can do without me but I don't believe in Sundays and I don't believe in anything at all...."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lFm4juaVswQ
Despite the lyric above Sundays by Counting Crows is actually a very catchy and toe tapping song, I won't say it is upbeat but it is a good rock song. The live version above doesn't have the best sound or video but the album version is really good.
I watched a couple of movies yesterday, 88 Minutes and The Bank Job. 88 Minutes isn't really that good but Pacino is still worth watching, even if his movies aren't. I thought The Bank Job was a really intriguing and unique heist film. It keep me guessing as to what would happen in the end. The reviews to both movies are below.
http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/04/18/movies/18minu.html?ref=movies
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20182344,00.html
"It stung like a violent wind that our memories depend on a faulty camera in our minds...."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=L1SZvhCNIY0
I am feeling slightly better today and my side doesn't hurt as much. It is still raining and it is 12 Celsius. This Sunday afternoon seems like it has lasted the length of an entire day but it is almost dinner time now. We are having Ham, scalloped potatoes along with the usual vegetables and probably rice. Love is watching someone die but it is also apperciating them while they are alive. Someday we will all be loved and there will be no more voids.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ybxGMQcsln4
jr.
"Alone on a train aimless in wonder, an outdated map crumbled in my pocket but I didn't care where I was going...."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aRsh2-JGIcE
I often wish I had the resources to just pick up and disappear for a while. I am sure we all think this from time to time, though mine seems to be a daily occurrence. I like to wander, think, observe and in a different place I think it would be better. I think I would be a better person and perhaps able to find some inspiration to live better. I wrote the piece below this afternoon.
Mired By Unspoken Issues
A steady rain falls on this Mother’s Day
Richmond Street appears to be deserted
Gone are all the Saturday night party people
Having noisily disappeared behind curtains
Passing out on familiar couches and unfamiliar beds
I watch the rain and listen to Neon Bible
While thinking about May and its eleven days
There does not seem to be the old happiness
I usually associate with this month’s arrival
People seem to be a little out of sorts
Celebrations have been mired by unspoken issues
Not everything is as it might appear to be
Everyone else has someone to go home to
I wonder though if they are really happy
Their smiles like mine look a little fake
Conversations are not as plentiful or interesting
As they used to be in days already lived
You can find someone and love them
Only to realize it is not enough
They are not quite the person you need
Whether you can get past it or not
Will always be a tough question to answer
There is protection in being with someone
Though being alone gives you freedom
I am not good at being with someone
Too afraid to have my flaws rejected
So there are many moments of introspection
Where I question togetherness and randomness
Unwilling to deny anyone their happiness
As long as it is not an illusion born of loneliness
I have been there and it is a mistake
A street puddle splashes the window
Streaking water down its length
Bringing my view back to the room
Various eyes and varied faces
Beauty is motherhood and its bonds
There will always be sunshine shining for me
When I think of my mother and her love
Not everyone is as lucky as me
Knowing this makes me happy
Even if it is not as often as it should be.
05/11/08
"How I wish you could see the potential, the potential of you and me, it's like a book elegantly bound, but in a language that you can't read - just yet, you gotta spend some time--love, you gotta spend some time with me and I know that you'll find--love, I will possess your heart..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pq-yP7mb8UE
I Will Possess Your Heart is the first single from Death Cab For Cutie's newest album Narrow Stairs due out May 13. I absolutely loved their last album Plans and would often listen to it from front to back without skipping any songs. This is a rarity in today's world of singles bands who can't put together a complete album of material. Narrow Stairs is apparently darker and full of brilliant despair. If this is the case its songs will be a welcomed addition to my music catalogue. The lyric above from I Will Possess Your Heart is something I often wish I could say to a woman I am interested in.
"You think that you can do without me, I can't do anything at all, you think that you can do without me but I don't believe in Sundays and I don't believe in anything at all...."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lFm4juaVswQ
Despite the lyric above Sundays by Counting Crows is actually a very catchy and toe tapping song, I won't say it is upbeat but it is a good rock song. The live version above doesn't have the best sound or video but the album version is really good.
I watched a couple of movies yesterday, 88 Minutes and The Bank Job. 88 Minutes isn't really that good but Pacino is still worth watching, even if his movies aren't. I thought The Bank Job was a really intriguing and unique heist film. It keep me guessing as to what would happen in the end. The reviews to both movies are below.
http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/04/18/movies/18minu.html?ref=movies
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20182344,00.html
"It stung like a violent wind that our memories depend on a faulty camera in our minds...."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=L1SZvhCNIY0
I am feeling slightly better today and my side doesn't hurt as much. It is still raining and it is 12 Celsius. This Sunday afternoon seems like it has lasted the length of an entire day but it is almost dinner time now. We are having Ham, scalloped potatoes along with the usual vegetables and probably rice. Love is watching someone die but it is also apperciating them while they are alive. Someday we will all be loved and there will be no more voids.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ybxGMQcsln4
jr.
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