12:40 pm
Home
I feel a little better today. Though this is the third straight day where I have had a morning headache.
It has been all about hockey since last night. Canada beat the United States, 7-4, in a thrilling World Junior game. Canada was down 3-0 early, on home turf, only to storm back. Aided by power plays, an official mistake and an unravelling U.S. team Canada made the night memorable for Canadians.
Today it is all about hockey, Chicago, Wrigley Field and the outdoor game between the Blackhawks and the Red Wings. I cannot get enough of the lead up to the game, that the game itself will probably pale in comparison to the hype. Though Chicago is a good young team and Detroit are the defending champions, who already beat them at home 4-0 this week.
"Because I'm still in love with you, I want to see you dance again...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbls_kkf0yE
Harvest Moon by Neil Young
Yesterday afternoon I was bored and flipping through my movie networks and came upon the good Canadian movie Away From Her. I had already seen it once but decided to watch it again. I am glad I did, it is worth watching every year or so. We are always going but not necessarily gone. The song above by Neil Young was used very appropriately in the movie. Information about the movie is below, the veteran acting in the movie is very moving.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0491747/
"Big birds flying across the sky, throwing shadows on our eyes. Leave us, helpless, helpless, helpless...."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5KRVtjgMkM
Also used in Away From Her is a cover of Neil Young's Helpless by K.D. Lang, you can check out a live performance of it above.
I watched a bit of the Dick Clark's New Year's Eve special and it is sort of sad listening to him struggle speaking. We are used to hearing Dick's unique and familiar voice, and not what a stroke has left him with. Though you have to admire his courage returning to what he loves and leading millions into another New Year. At times in life, we are helpless to its diseases and ailments, all we can do is fight.
I have also started reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, which I am looking forward to, because it is seems to be on every list of the best books of 2008. I actually finished 32 books last year, most of them 300 + page novels, which isn't too bad for my lack of attention span mind. Perhaps this year I will finish more.
I also finished 2008 winning $51.80 on Proline, picking 5 right outcomes on the hockey games last night, though the prize never seems to fit the achievement, better than losing $2 I suppose.
Today's featured song, not overly creative by me, is naturally U2's New Year's Day. Mine is watching hockey, 3-1 Chicago right now, and dinner with my parents and grandparents later.
john.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sudlxUNj30I
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
"I can't remember all the times I tried to tell myself to hold on to these moments as they pass...."
8:40 pm
Home
"And kill the lights cause they're blinding me, I've been watching all the stars go by..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXlRyWYYswQ (live)
I feel queasy today. I did when I woke up and still do. I went to my grandparents for dinner yesterday but I do not think it was something I ate there. I am sure it is one of the bugs going around. I have not been sick but I have not ate enough to make it happen. I still went out today to do some reading, barely touching the piece of banana loaf I bought and the tea did nothing to alleviate my symptoms. Supper has consisted of a few strands of yellow beans, the crust of a breaded ham and cheese thing, and a few bites of a Mars bar washed down with some orange juice. I am not good at being sick, I assume I can do everything the same as before. Boy is this a mistake, though I was able to help a young woman setup her laptop today. My pounding head somehow found patience in her questions.
I have not listened to much by David Usher lately but the song above, Kill the Lights has been in my head today. Along with Human by The Killers below.
"Are we humans or are we dancers?........."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOLJy5HoFDQ
This afternoon I finished reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. I think I liked it better than The Kite Runner, though both are good stories. I also they are important reads to help understand Afghanistan, especially here in Canada where more and more of our soldiers are coming home dead from there. Whether we know or do not know what our soldiers are fighting for, the people of Afghanistan have been fighting for their lives for too many years. The following passage is from the book.
"Seasons had come and gone; presidents in Kabul had been inaugurated and murdered; an empire had been defeated; old wars had ended and new ones had broken out. But Mariam had hardly noticed, hardly cared. She had passed these years in a distant corner of her mind. A dry, barren field, out beyond wish and lament, beyond dream and disillusionment. There, the future did not matter. And the past held only this wisdom: that love was a damaging mistake, and its accomplice, hope, a treacherous illusion. And whenever those twin poisonous flowers began to sprout in the parched land of that field, Mariam uprooted them. She uprooted them and ditched them before they took hold."
The following part of a poem written by Saib-e-Tabrizi in the 17th century was used in the book, the poem tries to capture Kabul's beauty.
"One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls."
"Wish I was back on the Bayou, rollin' with some Cajun Queen. Wishin' I where a fast freight train, just a chooglin' on down to New Orleans."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAVhKjsImeI
Born on the Bayou by Creedance Clearwater Revival (Live 1970 Royal Albert Hall)
The song above was used in the movie, Stop-Loss, which I watched Saturday night. It was an alright movie, raising the usual questions about the war in Iraq and who is supposed to fight it, if the soldiers have already done their job once. I wonder if the process of stop-loss has continued at the same rate or waned since the movie finished. Ryan Phillippe actually did a good job in the movie, I thought anyway. Information about the movie is below.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0489281/
"The Bible's blind. The Torah's deaf. The Qu'ran is mute. If you burned them all together you’d get close to the truth, still they’re pouring over sand script under Ivy League moons, while shadows lengthen the sun....."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaV-nGQ5yqw
Above is a very mature and good song written by Conor Oberst called Four Winds and recorded by his band Bright Eyes.
I was able to do some writing this afternoon, a little piece about the smallness of life. The title can easily deceive you into thinking it is something nice, it really is not.
A Strand of Hair on a White Sheet
Strong winter winds approach
New Year’s Day draws nearer
Ray asks “why’d you go away”
Resolutions are quietly made
Their hope vanishing silently
Each day is a wish granted
By some unknown custodian
The sweeper of every memory
Dutifully removing our history
Whether requested or required
Time like memory is only dust
Separating them cannot happen
Our future is children soldiers
Their little hands waving guns
Where milk bottles should be
Dirt and blood on their bodies
Where warm clothes should be
Their youth is sorrow absorbed
Colourful kites do not fly there
Rockets whistle like dog callers
Calm before chaos as always
Life after death for those lucky
Luck is a vaguely applied term
Breathe once and you are gone
What remains does not matter
A generation is a second passing
History’s own genocide killings
If there was a crowded afterlife
We would find a way to wreck it
Our hands are trained for greed
The first motion is to reach out
Not for love but material goods
An item we have been denied
Growing in size as we get older
Only learning the truth too late
Small things are what we desire
A strand of hair on a white sheet
The reminder someone else slept
Where we can longer fall asleep
Without being attacked by regret
A stream of light lacking clarity
Nothing to see but anything lost.
12/30/08
The Ray in the poem is LaMontagne and the song is A Falling Through, which is below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2T-CUPWsXg
Well it has been a long December, naturally, with or without the song. This will be my last blog entry of the year and I hope next year brings me more internal peace. I am not one to make resolutions and this will not change this year. Things come and things go, people come and people go. There is nothing poignant in that observation of mine, perhaps, there will be more poignancy next year. At the very least, there will be more music and more honest words torn out of my soul.
Best of luck.
john.
"All at once you look across a crowded room to see the way that light attaches to a girl.."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u_kyd7NfTo
A Long December by Counting Crows (live 2008)
Home
"And kill the lights cause they're blinding me, I've been watching all the stars go by..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXlRyWYYswQ (live)
I feel queasy today. I did when I woke up and still do. I went to my grandparents for dinner yesterday but I do not think it was something I ate there. I am sure it is one of the bugs going around. I have not been sick but I have not ate enough to make it happen. I still went out today to do some reading, barely touching the piece of banana loaf I bought and the tea did nothing to alleviate my symptoms. Supper has consisted of a few strands of yellow beans, the crust of a breaded ham and cheese thing, and a few bites of a Mars bar washed down with some orange juice. I am not good at being sick, I assume I can do everything the same as before. Boy is this a mistake, though I was able to help a young woman setup her laptop today. My pounding head somehow found patience in her questions.
I have not listened to much by David Usher lately but the song above, Kill the Lights has been in my head today. Along with Human by The Killers below.
"Are we humans or are we dancers?........."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOLJy5HoFDQ
This afternoon I finished reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. I think I liked it better than The Kite Runner, though both are good stories. I also they are important reads to help understand Afghanistan, especially here in Canada where more and more of our soldiers are coming home dead from there. Whether we know or do not know what our soldiers are fighting for, the people of Afghanistan have been fighting for their lives for too many years. The following passage is from the book.
"Seasons had come and gone; presidents in Kabul had been inaugurated and murdered; an empire had been defeated; old wars had ended and new ones had broken out. But Mariam had hardly noticed, hardly cared. She had passed these years in a distant corner of her mind. A dry, barren field, out beyond wish and lament, beyond dream and disillusionment. There, the future did not matter. And the past held only this wisdom: that love was a damaging mistake, and its accomplice, hope, a treacherous illusion. And whenever those twin poisonous flowers began to sprout in the parched land of that field, Mariam uprooted them. She uprooted them and ditched them before they took hold."
The following part of a poem written by Saib-e-Tabrizi in the 17th century was used in the book, the poem tries to capture Kabul's beauty.
"One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls."
"Wish I was back on the Bayou, rollin' with some Cajun Queen. Wishin' I where a fast freight train, just a chooglin' on down to New Orleans."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAVhKjsImeI
Born on the Bayou by Creedance Clearwater Revival (Live 1970 Royal Albert Hall)
The song above was used in the movie, Stop-Loss, which I watched Saturday night. It was an alright movie, raising the usual questions about the war in Iraq and who is supposed to fight it, if the soldiers have already done their job once. I wonder if the process of stop-loss has continued at the same rate or waned since the movie finished. Ryan Phillippe actually did a good job in the movie, I thought anyway. Information about the movie is below.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0489281/
"The Bible's blind. The Torah's deaf. The Qu'ran is mute. If you burned them all together you’d get close to the truth, still they’re pouring over sand script under Ivy League moons, while shadows lengthen the sun....."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaV-nGQ5yqw
Above is a very mature and good song written by Conor Oberst called Four Winds and recorded by his band Bright Eyes.
I was able to do some writing this afternoon, a little piece about the smallness of life. The title can easily deceive you into thinking it is something nice, it really is not.
A Strand of Hair on a White Sheet
Strong winter winds approach
New Year’s Day draws nearer
Ray asks “why’d you go away”
Resolutions are quietly made
Their hope vanishing silently
Each day is a wish granted
By some unknown custodian
The sweeper of every memory
Dutifully removing our history
Whether requested or required
Time like memory is only dust
Separating them cannot happen
Our future is children soldiers
Their little hands waving guns
Where milk bottles should be
Dirt and blood on their bodies
Where warm clothes should be
Their youth is sorrow absorbed
Colourful kites do not fly there
Rockets whistle like dog callers
Calm before chaos as always
Life after death for those lucky
Luck is a vaguely applied term
Breathe once and you are gone
What remains does not matter
A generation is a second passing
History’s own genocide killings
If there was a crowded afterlife
We would find a way to wreck it
Our hands are trained for greed
The first motion is to reach out
Not for love but material goods
An item we have been denied
Growing in size as we get older
Only learning the truth too late
Small things are what we desire
A strand of hair on a white sheet
The reminder someone else slept
Where we can longer fall asleep
Without being attacked by regret
A stream of light lacking clarity
Nothing to see but anything lost.
12/30/08
The Ray in the poem is LaMontagne and the song is A Falling Through, which is below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2T-CUPWsXg
Well it has been a long December, naturally, with or without the song. This will be my last blog entry of the year and I hope next year brings me more internal peace. I am not one to make resolutions and this will not change this year. Things come and things go, people come and people go. There is nothing poignant in that observation of mine, perhaps, there will be more poignancy next year. At the very least, there will be more music and more honest words torn out of my soul.
Best of luck.
john.
"All at once you look across a crowded room to see the way that light attaches to a girl.."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u_kyd7NfTo
A Long December by Counting Crows (live 2008)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
"And what is fallow now will come to deserve poetry's most lovely words......"
2:00 pm
Home
Life is an uncompleted list.
"Put it in your heart, where tomorrow shines, gold and silver shine....."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xudx3_oK5Zg
Shiny Happy People by R.E.M.
Last night Amalea and I went to see Marley and Me. I enjoyed it, there were funny moments involving Marley, feel good moments involving the family and love for their dog. The acting was good and not over done by either Jennifer Aniston or Owen Wilson. (Not to spoil anything) There were a lot of tears at the end of the movie and they (along with the movie) almost made me cry but I survived. When it is all over Marley takes his place in dog movie heaven beside Old Yeller. Information about the movie, which became the highest grossing Christmas day opener of all-time is below.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822832/
"Happiness, more or less, it's just a change in me, something in my liberty.."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWLzMCcFcFg
Lucky Man by The Verve
I also did some Boxing Day shopping yesterday, getting mostly clothes. The sales were alright, I thinking Boxing Day is aimed more for females. I suppose if you were getting a big ticket item, there might of been some deals.
I got a couple of day late Christmas gifts from my sister, her husband and their kids. These are The Cellist of Sarajevo by Stephen Galloway and The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. I now have a lot of books in need of reading and a couple I have wanted to read for some time.
"I'm so happy cause today I found my friends they're in my head, I'm so ugly but that's ok cause so are you, we've broke our mirrors, Sunday morning is everyday for all I care and I'm not scared, light my candles......."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUUHNf0S5cA
Lithium by Nirvana
There is an acoustic cover of Lithium by Bruce Lash in Marley and Me, it is pretty good, the original is above.
The following passage is from A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.
"People, she believed now, shouldn't be allowed to have new children if they'd already given away all their love to their old ones. It wasn't fair."
I wrote the following earlier this afternoon.
Wounded
The year is nearing its calendar ending
A picture of holiday happiness absconds
Disappearing into the mist of winter rain
I am wounded from my own bony hands
The scars never hide their ugly presence
A permanent fixture on my gloomy face
Physical evidence of emotional damage
I am wounded from my own weak mind
The thoughts never hide their ugly ideas
A permanent resident in my packed head
Too many things left undone or unsaid
All their ringing sounds like church bells
The hour is midnight and quietness wins
A small victory over the sleeping habitants
My eyes are open and exploring memories
Women named after rare flowers or stars
Their beauty never leaves me uninspired
I write about them like it actually matters
Hearts are not changed by words from me
They only lead to more sorrow and sadness
Worse is the apathy of unwanted kindness
I need to delicately protect myself from life
The way its accordion time plays its music
I never know if there is more passed or left
Being wounded is not absolute like death
There could be another me who is healed
A man with more to give than is expected
The surprise of the new year about to begin
Appearances are not always what they seem
Though there is a lot to be read into them
My words fall carefully like rain on a Saturday
December is ending and vows are whispering
Their quietness fills my thoughts with hope
Like beautiful accordions, flowers and women.
12/27/08
Below are the 200 most played songs by me this year. Since I can't live in the past, I try to do it musically, so many of them are old favourites, there are a few newer songs and lots of Counting Crows. The #1 song just stuck in my head more than any song this year, the perfect combination of lyrics and melody.
I suppose over 3 hours spent writing this entry between doing a few other things is more than enough time.
jr.
Top 200 Songs Played This Year On My iTunes Player
1. All The Trees Are Hers by Hawksley Workman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNo-REJ74mc
2. You Can't Count On Me by Counting Crows
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYfnEYVpSe8
3. No One's Gonna Love You by Band of Horses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuZo7pLnL7c
4. When I Dream of Michelangelo by Counting Crows
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeQV0K9PaoA
5. Always by Neverending White Lights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obIBXJ0_UkY
6. You Are My Face by Wilco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j2k47bXrgs
7. The One I Love by David Gray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWNN7gXk1rc
8. Supernatural Superserious by R.E.M.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7xOhTOfOA8
9. Boy With A Coin by Iron and Wine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-qxfeuOgQk
10. Empty by Ray LaMontagne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIUSikXex5w
11. Wonderwall by Oasis
12. Guaranteed by Eddie Vedder
13. Waiting by City and Colour
14. Chase This Light by Jimmy Eat World
15. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by Creedance Clearwater Revival
16. A Long December by Counting Crows
17. O Valencia by The Decemberists
18. Everything by Michael Buble
19. One by U2
20. Creep by Radiohead
21. Calling All Friends by Low Stars
22. Long Road To Ruin by Foo Fighters
23. Say It To Me Now by Glen Hansard
24. When You Were Young by The Killers
25. Off He Goes by Pearl Jam
26. The Blues by Switchfoot
27. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
28. Hard Sun by Eddie Vedder
29. The Hardest Part by Coldplay
30. Southern Girl by Amos Lee
31. Antichrist Television Blues by The Arcade Fire
32. Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles
33. Blanket of Ghosts by Dustin Kensrue
34. Naked As We Came by Iron and Wine
35. Girl In The War by Josh Ritter
36. My List by The Killers
37. Invincible by Muse
38. Thinking About You by Norah Jones
39. Every Part of Me by Sam Roberts
40. Lemon Parade by Tonic
41. These Girls by Ryan Adams
42. Your Heart Is An Empty Room by Death Cab For Cutie
43. Accidental Babies by Damien Rice
44. Catapult (acoustic) by Counting Crows
45. Against The Wind by Bob Seger
46. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles
47. Hard Candy by Counting Crows
48. Hospital Beds by Cold War Kids
49. Cowboys by Counting Crows
50. Society by Eddie Vedder
51. If You're Gonna Leave by Emerson Hart
52. A Time To Be So Small by Interpol
53. Tears and Rain by James Blunt
54. Hannah by Ray LaMontagne
55. Everybody Knows by Ryan Adams
56. Sing by Travis
57. Kite by U2
58. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
59. Sky Blue Sky by Wilco
60. Have You Seen Me Lately? (acoustic) by Counting Crows
61. Impossible Germany by Wilco
62. Josephine by The Wallflowers
63. The Con by Tegan and Sara
64. La Cienega Just Smiled by Ryan Adams
65. Only The Lonely by Roy Orbison
66. Gold In Them Hills by Ron Sexsmith with Chris Martin
67. Bedshaped by Keane
68. Gotta Be Somebody's Blues by Jimmy Eat World
69. Falling Slowly by The Frames
70. Flyin' by Emerson Hart
71. Come Around by Counting Crows
72. The Weight by The Band
73. Small Town Southern Man by Alan Jackson
74. Diamonds On The Inside by Ben Harper
75. Some Surprise by The Cake Sale featuring Lisa Hannigan and Gary Lightbody
76. Miller's Angels by Counting Crows
77. The Crane Wife 3 by The Decemberists
78. Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy
79. 1973 by James Blunt
80. You're Always Going Too Soon by Matthew Jay
81. Alright by Pilot Speed
82. The Bends by Radiohead
83. Jumpin' Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones
84. Hello Sunshine by The Super Furry Animals
85. 1492 by Counting Crows
86. Rain King (acoustic) by Counting Crows
87. Please Be Patient With Me by Wilco
88. Invisible City by The Wallflowers
89. Telling Them by Starsailor
90. On Again, Off Again by Sean Lennon
91. Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright
92. Arizona by Kings of Leon
93. Mind Games by John Lennon
94. Breakdown by Jack Johnson
95. NYC by Interpol
96. Love Hurts by Incubus
97. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature by The Guess Who
98. Someday You Will Be Loved by Death Cab For Cutie
99. Los Angeles by Counting Crows
100. Soul Meets Body by Death Cab For Cutie
101. Mr. Jones by Counting Crows
102. Hotel Roosevelt by Augustana
103. Whole Lot of Leaving by Bon Jovi
104. Trouble by Coldplay
105. Sleep Don't Weep by Damien Rice
106. Summer Skin by Death Cab For Cutie
107. Your Song by Elton John
108. An Angry Blade by Iron and Wine
109. If I Had Eyes by Jack Johnson
110. Watching The Wheels (acoustic) by John Lennon
111. Kathleen by Josh Ritter
112. The Grace by Neverending White Lights featuring Dallas Green
113. Barfly by Ray LaMontagne
114. Oh My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams with Emmy Lou Harris
115. Hard Road by Sam Roberts
116. The Thanks I Get by Wilco
117. Warning Sign by Coldplay
118. Snow Is Gone by Josh Ritter
119. Club Thing by Yoav
120. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
121. One Horse Town by The Thrills
122. I Taught Myself How To Grow Old by Ryan Adams
123. The Painter by Neil Young
124. Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd
125. Nuclear Daydream by Joseph Arthur
126. Sunday Morning Coming Down (live) by Johnny Cash
127. You're Beautiful (acoustic) by James Blunt
128. Anna Molly by Incubus
129. Hand Me Down World by The Guess Who
130. Oceanside by The Decemberists
131. Everytime by David Gray
132. Coconut Skins by Damien Rice
133. Daylight Fading by Counting Crows
134. Black Winged Bird by The Cake Sale featuring Nina Persson
135. Let It Be by The Beatles
136. Sundays by Counting Crows
137. Long Line of Pain by Amos Lee
138. Is There A Ghost? by Band of Horses
139. Michelle by The Beatles
140. Baby I Love Your Way by Bob Marley
141. Last To Die by Bruce Springsteen
142. Speed of Sound by Coldplay
143. St. Robinson In His Cadillac Dream (live) by Counting Crows
144. Elephant by Damien Rice
145. I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab For Cutie
146. Lying Eyes by The Eagles
147. 1 2 3 4 by Feist
148. Do You Remember? by Jack Johnson
149. Pull Me Through by Jim Cuddy
150. Come and Find Me by Josh Ritter
151. For Reasons Unknown by The Killers
152. New Shoes by Paolo Nutini
153. The Great Escape by Patrick Watson
154. Thank You by The Redwalls
155. Let It Ride by Ryan Adams
156. Mr. Golden Deal by Tonic
157. What Light by Wilco
158. Twist and Shout by The Beatles
159. Autumn by Paolo Nutini
160. Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles
161. Ashes of American Flags by Wilco
162. Elevator Love Letter by Stars
163. Bridge To Nowhere by Sam Roberts
164. When The Stars Go Blue by Ryan Adams
165. There, There by Radiohead
166. Man On The Moon by R.E.M.
167. Harvest Moon by Neil Young
168. Talk Shows On Mute by Incubus
169. Sons and Daughters by The Decemberists
170. The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice
171. Mrs. Potter's Lullabye by Counting Crows
172. Save Your Scissors by City and Colour
173. Lodi by Creedance Clearwater Revival
174. Change by Blind Melon
175. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Neil Young
176. She Don't Want Nobody Near by Counting Crows
177. Raining In Baltimore by Counting Crows
178. Skipping Stone by Amos Lee
179. Hey Jude by The Beatles
180. Time and Time Again by Counting Crows
181. Marching Bands of Manhattan by Death Cab For Cutie
182. Tiny Dancer by Elton John
183. Better Man by James Morrison
184. The River by Live
185. City of Lakes by Matt Mays
186. Four Strong Winds by Neil Young
187. Around The Sun by R.E.M.
188. Level by The Raconteurs
189. Karma Police (acoustic) by Radiohead
190. Come Pick Me Up by Ryan Adams
191. Mary Jane's Last Dance by Tom Petty
192. Why Does It Always Rain On Me? by Travis
193. Round Here by Counting Crows
194. Amy Hit The Atmosphere by Counting Crows
195. High Life by Counting Crows
196. Sullivan Street (live) by Counting Crows
197. With or Without You by U2
198. Montebello Park by The Trews
199. You Don't Know How It Feels by Tom Petty
200. Oh My God, Whatever, Etc. by Ryan Adams
Home
Life is an uncompleted list.
"Put it in your heart, where tomorrow shines, gold and silver shine....."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xudx3_oK5Zg
Shiny Happy People by R.E.M.
Last night Amalea and I went to see Marley and Me. I enjoyed it, there were funny moments involving Marley, feel good moments involving the family and love for their dog. The acting was good and not over done by either Jennifer Aniston or Owen Wilson. (Not to spoil anything) There were a lot of tears at the end of the movie and they (along with the movie) almost made me cry but I survived. When it is all over Marley takes his place in dog movie heaven beside Old Yeller. Information about the movie, which became the highest grossing Christmas day opener of all-time is below.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822832/
"Happiness, more or less, it's just a change in me, something in my liberty.."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWLzMCcFcFg
Lucky Man by The Verve
I also did some Boxing Day shopping yesterday, getting mostly clothes. The sales were alright, I thinking Boxing Day is aimed more for females. I suppose if you were getting a big ticket item, there might of been some deals.
I got a couple of day late Christmas gifts from my sister, her husband and their kids. These are The Cellist of Sarajevo by Stephen Galloway and The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. I now have a lot of books in need of reading and a couple I have wanted to read for some time.
"I'm so happy cause today I found my friends they're in my head, I'm so ugly but that's ok cause so are you, we've broke our mirrors, Sunday morning is everyday for all I care and I'm not scared, light my candles......."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUUHNf0S5cA
Lithium by Nirvana
There is an acoustic cover of Lithium by Bruce Lash in Marley and Me, it is pretty good, the original is above.
The following passage is from A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.
"People, she believed now, shouldn't be allowed to have new children if they'd already given away all their love to their old ones. It wasn't fair."
I wrote the following earlier this afternoon.
Wounded
The year is nearing its calendar ending
A picture of holiday happiness absconds
Disappearing into the mist of winter rain
I am wounded from my own bony hands
The scars never hide their ugly presence
A permanent fixture on my gloomy face
Physical evidence of emotional damage
I am wounded from my own weak mind
The thoughts never hide their ugly ideas
A permanent resident in my packed head
Too many things left undone or unsaid
All their ringing sounds like church bells
The hour is midnight and quietness wins
A small victory over the sleeping habitants
My eyes are open and exploring memories
Women named after rare flowers or stars
Their beauty never leaves me uninspired
I write about them like it actually matters
Hearts are not changed by words from me
They only lead to more sorrow and sadness
Worse is the apathy of unwanted kindness
I need to delicately protect myself from life
The way its accordion time plays its music
I never know if there is more passed or left
Being wounded is not absolute like death
There could be another me who is healed
A man with more to give than is expected
The surprise of the new year about to begin
Appearances are not always what they seem
Though there is a lot to be read into them
My words fall carefully like rain on a Saturday
December is ending and vows are whispering
Their quietness fills my thoughts with hope
Like beautiful accordions, flowers and women.
12/27/08
Below are the 200 most played songs by me this year. Since I can't live in the past, I try to do it musically, so many of them are old favourites, there are a few newer songs and lots of Counting Crows. The #1 song just stuck in my head more than any song this year, the perfect combination of lyrics and melody.
I suppose over 3 hours spent writing this entry between doing a few other things is more than enough time.
jr.
Top 200 Songs Played This Year On My iTunes Player
1. All The Trees Are Hers by Hawksley Workman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNo-REJ74mc
2. You Can't Count On Me by Counting Crows
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYfnEYVpSe8
3. No One's Gonna Love You by Band of Horses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuZo7pLnL7c
4. When I Dream of Michelangelo by Counting Crows
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeQV0K9PaoA
5. Always by Neverending White Lights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obIBXJ0_UkY
6. You Are My Face by Wilco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j2k47bXrgs
7. The One I Love by David Gray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWNN7gXk1rc
8. Supernatural Superserious by R.E.M.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7xOhTOfOA8
9. Boy With A Coin by Iron and Wine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-qxfeuOgQk
10. Empty by Ray LaMontagne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIUSikXex5w
11. Wonderwall by Oasis
12. Guaranteed by Eddie Vedder
13. Waiting by City and Colour
14. Chase This Light by Jimmy Eat World
15. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by Creedance Clearwater Revival
16. A Long December by Counting Crows
17. O Valencia by The Decemberists
18. Everything by Michael Buble
19. One by U2
20. Creep by Radiohead
21. Calling All Friends by Low Stars
22. Long Road To Ruin by Foo Fighters
23. Say It To Me Now by Glen Hansard
24. When You Were Young by The Killers
25. Off He Goes by Pearl Jam
26. The Blues by Switchfoot
27. Where The Streets Have No Name by U2
28. Hard Sun by Eddie Vedder
29. The Hardest Part by Coldplay
30. Southern Girl by Amos Lee
31. Antichrist Television Blues by The Arcade Fire
32. Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles
33. Blanket of Ghosts by Dustin Kensrue
34. Naked As We Came by Iron and Wine
35. Girl In The War by Josh Ritter
36. My List by The Killers
37. Invincible by Muse
38. Thinking About You by Norah Jones
39. Every Part of Me by Sam Roberts
40. Lemon Parade by Tonic
41. These Girls by Ryan Adams
42. Your Heart Is An Empty Room by Death Cab For Cutie
43. Accidental Babies by Damien Rice
44. Catapult (acoustic) by Counting Crows
45. Against The Wind by Bob Seger
46. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles
47. Hard Candy by Counting Crows
48. Hospital Beds by Cold War Kids
49. Cowboys by Counting Crows
50. Society by Eddie Vedder
51. If You're Gonna Leave by Emerson Hart
52. A Time To Be So Small by Interpol
53. Tears and Rain by James Blunt
54. Hannah by Ray LaMontagne
55. Everybody Knows by Ryan Adams
56. Sing by Travis
57. Kite by U2
58. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
59. Sky Blue Sky by Wilco
60. Have You Seen Me Lately? (acoustic) by Counting Crows
61. Impossible Germany by Wilco
62. Josephine by The Wallflowers
63. The Con by Tegan and Sara
64. La Cienega Just Smiled by Ryan Adams
65. Only The Lonely by Roy Orbison
66. Gold In Them Hills by Ron Sexsmith with Chris Martin
67. Bedshaped by Keane
68. Gotta Be Somebody's Blues by Jimmy Eat World
69. Falling Slowly by The Frames
70. Flyin' by Emerson Hart
71. Come Around by Counting Crows
72. The Weight by The Band
73. Small Town Southern Man by Alan Jackson
74. Diamonds On The Inside by Ben Harper
75. Some Surprise by The Cake Sale featuring Lisa Hannigan and Gary Lightbody
76. Miller's Angels by Counting Crows
77. The Crane Wife 3 by The Decemberists
78. Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy
79. 1973 by James Blunt
80. You're Always Going Too Soon by Matthew Jay
81. Alright by Pilot Speed
82. The Bends by Radiohead
83. Jumpin' Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones
84. Hello Sunshine by The Super Furry Animals
85. 1492 by Counting Crows
86. Rain King (acoustic) by Counting Crows
87. Please Be Patient With Me by Wilco
88. Invisible City by The Wallflowers
89. Telling Them by Starsailor
90. On Again, Off Again by Sean Lennon
91. Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright
92. Arizona by Kings of Leon
93. Mind Games by John Lennon
94. Breakdown by Jack Johnson
95. NYC by Interpol
96. Love Hurts by Incubus
97. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature by The Guess Who
98. Someday You Will Be Loved by Death Cab For Cutie
99. Los Angeles by Counting Crows
100. Soul Meets Body by Death Cab For Cutie
101. Mr. Jones by Counting Crows
102. Hotel Roosevelt by Augustana
103. Whole Lot of Leaving by Bon Jovi
104. Trouble by Coldplay
105. Sleep Don't Weep by Damien Rice
106. Summer Skin by Death Cab For Cutie
107. Your Song by Elton John
108. An Angry Blade by Iron and Wine
109. If I Had Eyes by Jack Johnson
110. Watching The Wheels (acoustic) by John Lennon
111. Kathleen by Josh Ritter
112. The Grace by Neverending White Lights featuring Dallas Green
113. Barfly by Ray LaMontagne
114. Oh My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams with Emmy Lou Harris
115. Hard Road by Sam Roberts
116. The Thanks I Get by Wilco
117. Warning Sign by Coldplay
118. Snow Is Gone by Josh Ritter
119. Club Thing by Yoav
120. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
121. One Horse Town by The Thrills
122. I Taught Myself How To Grow Old by Ryan Adams
123. The Painter by Neil Young
124. Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd
125. Nuclear Daydream by Joseph Arthur
126. Sunday Morning Coming Down (live) by Johnny Cash
127. You're Beautiful (acoustic) by James Blunt
128. Anna Molly by Incubus
129. Hand Me Down World by The Guess Who
130. Oceanside by The Decemberists
131. Everytime by David Gray
132. Coconut Skins by Damien Rice
133. Daylight Fading by Counting Crows
134. Black Winged Bird by The Cake Sale featuring Nina Persson
135. Let It Be by The Beatles
136. Sundays by Counting Crows
137. Long Line of Pain by Amos Lee
138. Is There A Ghost? by Band of Horses
139. Michelle by The Beatles
140. Baby I Love Your Way by Bob Marley
141. Last To Die by Bruce Springsteen
142. Speed of Sound by Coldplay
143. St. Robinson In His Cadillac Dream (live) by Counting Crows
144. Elephant by Damien Rice
145. I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab For Cutie
146. Lying Eyes by The Eagles
147. 1 2 3 4 by Feist
148. Do You Remember? by Jack Johnson
149. Pull Me Through by Jim Cuddy
150. Come and Find Me by Josh Ritter
151. For Reasons Unknown by The Killers
152. New Shoes by Paolo Nutini
153. The Great Escape by Patrick Watson
154. Thank You by The Redwalls
155. Let It Ride by Ryan Adams
156. Mr. Golden Deal by Tonic
157. What Light by Wilco
158. Twist and Shout by The Beatles
159. Autumn by Paolo Nutini
160. Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles
161. Ashes of American Flags by Wilco
162. Elevator Love Letter by Stars
163. Bridge To Nowhere by Sam Roberts
164. When The Stars Go Blue by Ryan Adams
165. There, There by Radiohead
166. Man On The Moon by R.E.M.
167. Harvest Moon by Neil Young
168. Talk Shows On Mute by Incubus
169. Sons and Daughters by The Decemberists
170. The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice
171. Mrs. Potter's Lullabye by Counting Crows
172. Save Your Scissors by City and Colour
173. Lodi by Creedance Clearwater Revival
174. Change by Blind Melon
175. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Neil Young
176. She Don't Want Nobody Near by Counting Crows
177. Raining In Baltimore by Counting Crows
178. Skipping Stone by Amos Lee
179. Hey Jude by The Beatles
180. Time and Time Again by Counting Crows
181. Marching Bands of Manhattan by Death Cab For Cutie
182. Tiny Dancer by Elton John
183. Better Man by James Morrison
184. The River by Live
185. City of Lakes by Matt Mays
186. Four Strong Winds by Neil Young
187. Around The Sun by R.E.M.
188. Level by The Raconteurs
189. Karma Police (acoustic) by Radiohead
190. Come Pick Me Up by Ryan Adams
191. Mary Jane's Last Dance by Tom Petty
192. Why Does It Always Rain On Me? by Travis
193. Round Here by Counting Crows
194. Amy Hit The Atmosphere by Counting Crows
195. High Life by Counting Crows
196. Sullivan Street (live) by Counting Crows
197. With or Without You by U2
198. Montebello Park by The Trews
199. You Don't Know How It Feels by Tom Petty
200. Oh My God, Whatever, Etc. by Ryan Adams
Thursday, December 25, 2008
"Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do, nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too, imagine all the people, living life in peace...."
10:40 am
At my bedroom desk
London, Ontario
Write what you must.
Last night I watched the movie version of my favourite book, Fugitive Pieces. The movie adapted by Jeremy Podeswa (The Five Senses) from the novel by Anne Michaels is beautiful but flawed. I think it is appalling to change the end of the story for the movie. Happy endings are for Hollywood blockbusters and leave your intelligence at the door movies. It is not for movies adapted from books full of beautiful poetry, heartbreaking loss and agonizing history. The fundamental point of the story is lost by changing the ending from sad to happy. There is no child, there is no happy family, there is another tragedy and a heartbreaking final scene for Ben to bear witness to. I can see why Podeswa would want to end the movie with hope but it isn't his choice, the story has already been written and it has its own ending. If you want a story with a happy ending, write it yourself. There is an article below about the changing of the ending. Other than the ending, the movie is actually very beautiful, well acted, poignant, slow moving but in perfect rhythm with what was written in the book.
http://www.cjnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14599&Itemid=86
"So this is Christmas........"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8jw-ifqwkM
Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon
War will never be over. We do not want it to be. We have always liked killing each other. This is not going to change because of a song. Though in our dreams, everything could be different.
Christmas is about the kids, and until my sister's kids get here to open their presents, it won't feel like it.
We should never stop imagining though, what life would be like without all of its limitations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7_6Vzj7Rng
jr.
At my bedroom desk
London, Ontario
Write what you must.
Last night I watched the movie version of my favourite book, Fugitive Pieces. The movie adapted by Jeremy Podeswa (The Five Senses) from the novel by Anne Michaels is beautiful but flawed. I think it is appalling to change the end of the story for the movie. Happy endings are for Hollywood blockbusters and leave your intelligence at the door movies. It is not for movies adapted from books full of beautiful poetry, heartbreaking loss and agonizing history. The fundamental point of the story is lost by changing the ending from sad to happy. There is no child, there is no happy family, there is another tragedy and a heartbreaking final scene for Ben to bear witness to. I can see why Podeswa would want to end the movie with hope but it isn't his choice, the story has already been written and it has its own ending. If you want a story with a happy ending, write it yourself. There is an article below about the changing of the ending. Other than the ending, the movie is actually very beautiful, well acted, poignant, slow moving but in perfect rhythm with what was written in the book.
http://www.cjnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14599&Itemid=86
"So this is Christmas........"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8jw-ifqwkM
Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon
War will never be over. We do not want it to be. We have always liked killing each other. This is not going to change because of a song. Though in our dreams, everything could be different.
Christmas is about the kids, and until my sister's kids get here to open their presents, it won't feel like it.
We should never stop imagining though, what life would be like without all of its limitations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7_6Vzj7Rng
jr.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
"Silver bells, silver bells, it's Christmas time in the city. Ring-a-ling, hear them ring, soon it will be Christmas day....."
What you do not know is reason enough to continue living.
"The city's a flood and our love turns to rust......"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDkBzkA9L4s
Where The Streets Have No Name by U2 (Live at Slane Castle)
The rain has stopped or so it seems. The last week we have had around 40 centimetres of snow, and this morning it started to rain. Mixing with the snow, the rain created small rivers in the streets. Needless to say, it didn't make for a good day getting around, as I am sure many people found out. They (the meteorologists) say (despite the rain) that this is going to be the first white Christmas coast to coast in Canada since 1971. White and brown slush crap are two different things to me. I think though overnight as the temperature goes below zero, this city will freeze and we will have an icy Christmas. Hopefully this is the case, I would like to take my niece skating at the park or the market. Though she will probably skate circles around me, as she plays hockey and I rarely skate. This doesn't make me less Canadian, I still love hockey, on some nights. The economics of baseball are making me love its salary cap more and more each day as the Yankees keep spending. It is not going to be a fun year for those of us who are Blue Jay fans.
I did venture out today to drop off my grandparent's card and gift. I had a lunch there of homemade cabbage and rice soup, with pumpkin pie for dessert. I so enjoy food and should weigh more than I do. After leaving my grandparents I stopped and had some tea, finally able to start reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. I was happy to finally find a copy in the used bookstore. Ever since reading The Kite Runner, I had been waiting for this book to appear in one of the used bookstores. Not only did it appear, but I got a nearly perfect hardcover copy for $12 or so. Though I am sure when I am finished reading it, it will not be in such good condition. I have a tendency to eat and drink over books, stuff them into bags and pockets, drop them and generally mark them as mine.
"Baby I have been here before, I know this room, I've walked this floor, I used to live alone before I knew you......"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dwwaS5B_vY
Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
A weird thing happened this week on the British music charts. The same song appeared in the charts at #1, #2, and #36, despite being a 25 year old song and never before in the top 40. The song is Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, at #1 is a cover by Alexandra Burke (never heard it), at #2 in protest to Burke being #1 is Jeff Buckley's version (my second favourite) and at #36 is Cohen's original version. Needless to say this speaks volumes about the song and its impact on people's lives. I personally like Rufus Wainwright's version the best and don't particularly like the original. Though I think Cohen is a musical, poetic and lyrical genius, it just doesn't have the same effect on me as Wainwright's version. I think if Buckley hadn't killed himself, his version would not have the fanfare it does. An article about it from the BBC is below.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7794709.stm
"So much rejection in every connection I make"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GLixox-mOE
Catapult by Counting Crows (Tulsa 2007)
In life and in attraction (potential love) we have to take a chance. We have to walk out on that wire and been seen. Naturally we fall (not in love) but down, until we do fall (in love) and we are caught. Though we can still fall in love and not get caught. As we get older though and more bruised, the wire becomes our enemy and we are afraid to walk out onto it. I think I am at this point. I have taken enough chances and it is time someone else walked out on that wire. I am not absolutely happy being alone, but I am more happy than trying and failing. Is this giving up on potential love? Perhaps so. Will I grow old and cold? Perhaps so. I doubt it though, being cold is not in my nature. Being silent is, being aloof is, being selfishly protective of my feelings is (except here) and being frustratingly stubborn is. I just think you can only take so many chances until you are left with a negative feeling. It is human nature and it is complex to deal with, among so many others finding their postive feelings. Being miserable is not another part of my being but becoming extremely introverted is. Is this a good or bad thing? Perhaps so. Does it matter? Probably not. In the end I will probably be old and have lived a life. I will change or I will be changed, others will change or they will be changed. We will walk along the same streets but as different people, friends through strangers eyes. I will be a shadow in the shadows, unseen but there anyway. Maybe one day a light will burn out my eyes and I will finally know love.
I can't say I am a big fan of holiday songs. There just aren't that many good ones and you can only hear the same ones over and over for so long. I do like today's featured song Silver Bells and the version below is by John Denver.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djfgoGAEU4E
Enjoy your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
john.
"The city's a flood and our love turns to rust......"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDkBzkA9L4s
Where The Streets Have No Name by U2 (Live at Slane Castle)
The rain has stopped or so it seems. The last week we have had around 40 centimetres of snow, and this morning it started to rain. Mixing with the snow, the rain created small rivers in the streets. Needless to say, it didn't make for a good day getting around, as I am sure many people found out. They (the meteorologists) say (despite the rain) that this is going to be the first white Christmas coast to coast in Canada since 1971. White and brown slush crap are two different things to me. I think though overnight as the temperature goes below zero, this city will freeze and we will have an icy Christmas. Hopefully this is the case, I would like to take my niece skating at the park or the market. Though she will probably skate circles around me, as she plays hockey and I rarely skate. This doesn't make me less Canadian, I still love hockey, on some nights. The economics of baseball are making me love its salary cap more and more each day as the Yankees keep spending. It is not going to be a fun year for those of us who are Blue Jay fans.
I did venture out today to drop off my grandparent's card and gift. I had a lunch there of homemade cabbage and rice soup, with pumpkin pie for dessert. I so enjoy food and should weigh more than I do. After leaving my grandparents I stopped and had some tea, finally able to start reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. I was happy to finally find a copy in the used bookstore. Ever since reading The Kite Runner, I had been waiting for this book to appear in one of the used bookstores. Not only did it appear, but I got a nearly perfect hardcover copy for $12 or so. Though I am sure when I am finished reading it, it will not be in such good condition. I have a tendency to eat and drink over books, stuff them into bags and pockets, drop them and generally mark them as mine.
"Baby I have been here before, I know this room, I've walked this floor, I used to live alone before I knew you......"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dwwaS5B_vY
Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
A weird thing happened this week on the British music charts. The same song appeared in the charts at #1, #2, and #36, despite being a 25 year old song and never before in the top 40. The song is Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, at #1 is a cover by Alexandra Burke (never heard it), at #2 in protest to Burke being #1 is Jeff Buckley's version (my second favourite) and at #36 is Cohen's original version. Needless to say this speaks volumes about the song and its impact on people's lives. I personally like Rufus Wainwright's version the best and don't particularly like the original. Though I think Cohen is a musical, poetic and lyrical genius, it just doesn't have the same effect on me as Wainwright's version. I think if Buckley hadn't killed himself, his version would not have the fanfare it does. An article about it from the BBC is below.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7794709.stm
"So much rejection in every connection I make"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GLixox-mOE
Catapult by Counting Crows (Tulsa 2007)
In life and in attraction (potential love) we have to take a chance. We have to walk out on that wire and been seen. Naturally we fall (not in love) but down, until we do fall (in love) and we are caught. Though we can still fall in love and not get caught. As we get older though and more bruised, the wire becomes our enemy and we are afraid to walk out onto it. I think I am at this point. I have taken enough chances and it is time someone else walked out on that wire. I am not absolutely happy being alone, but I am more happy than trying and failing. Is this giving up on potential love? Perhaps so. Will I grow old and cold? Perhaps so. I doubt it though, being cold is not in my nature. Being silent is, being aloof is, being selfishly protective of my feelings is (except here) and being frustratingly stubborn is. I just think you can only take so many chances until you are left with a negative feeling. It is human nature and it is complex to deal with, among so many others finding their postive feelings. Being miserable is not another part of my being but becoming extremely introverted is. Is this a good or bad thing? Perhaps so. Does it matter? Probably not. In the end I will probably be old and have lived a life. I will change or I will be changed, others will change or they will be changed. We will walk along the same streets but as different people, friends through strangers eyes. I will be a shadow in the shadows, unseen but there anyway. Maybe one day a light will burn out my eyes and I will finally know love.
I can't say I am a big fan of holiday songs. There just aren't that many good ones and you can only hear the same ones over and over for so long. I do like today's featured song Silver Bells and the version below is by John Denver.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djfgoGAEU4E
Enjoy your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
john.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
"How could this love, ever turning, never turn its eye on me, how could this love, ever changing, never change the way I feel......"
1:30 pm
My bed
London, Ontario
I like sharp pencils.
Snow is blowing out the window and this Sunday is a field of white. Christmas is around the corner and for all its faults, it still makes people smile. The reasons do not have be large, they can be as small as a smile itself. The result of a random act of kindness.
My weekends have become very boring but also very relaxing. Yesterday I spent a couple of hours drinking tea, reading and writing. Then I went and got my haircut, despite having to wait about an hour. I should have figured that it would busy on the last Saturday before Christmas. After hiding my head back under my toque, I went to the mall. I was able to get 3 more gift cards relatively painless and I am almost done my shopping now. I know it doesn't provide the personal touch but all I am giving this year are gift cards or money. It is easier for me and people can get what they want or need.
I got home shortly after 6 and ate some supper. After which I watched the Leafs spank the Penguins 7-2, going to bed right after the game. This couldn't have been much after 9:30 and I slept pretty good only waking up at 3 and 6, finally getting up at 8. I don't know if it is from working midnights or because I used to stay up late on weekends, going to bars or whatever. I am actually enjoying going to bed early and getting up early, no hangovers and no regrets.
This morning I finished watching Numb, the movie where the main character Matthew Perry suffers from depersonalization. The movie wasn't bad or great, it was watchable, the plot was flawed. Also I couldn't help thinking of Perry as Chandler from Friends like in all his movies, it is too hard to separate him from that role. The woman in the movie Lynn Collins was very cute as curly haired redheads can be. Information about the movie is below.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795439/
"Autumn leaves under frozen souls, hungry hands turning soft and old, my hero crying as we stood out their in the cold, like these autumn leaves I don't have nothing to hold........."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB5xoDEOgec
With autumn's official passing this morning, the lyrics above are from Paolo Nutini's sad and poignant Autumn.
I wrote the following yesterday afternoon, a shorter piece than usual, but a piece of writing anyway. Inspired by Venus, a smiling woman and influenced by autumn's ending. Though with our weather, it has been winter for weeks now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB5xoDEOgec
Autumn’s Last Morning
Reflected light causes Venus to glow brightly
I will be studying her on winter nights soon
A man devoid of beauty finding its presence
I woke late today on autumn’s last morning
A wan without a purpose looking for some
The semblance of a reason to strive higher
Angels are only created by our imaginations
Faces given feathers to fly across landscapes
Their passing is as blinding as sun on snow
We are never the same in our heart or mind
The world has changed for the better or worse
A song never heard before and forever sung
I do not sing but will always be listening
When carollers recite their holiday hymns
Words for the believers and even non-believers
Faith is loving without ever being shown love
I am a wanderer of sarcasm and information
Miscellaneous facts tied up in pieces of ribbon
The sky is too vast for them to be seen below
Absorbed into the atmosphere on the jet stream
She is a smile waiting to be really happy again
I could write about readiness and bad timing
A repeated record playing through scratches
The sound is piercing and nothing like music
There is no beauty left in my self impression
Venus stole what remained from me last night.
12/20/08
Today's featured lyrics are from another sad but good song, Beck's Lonesome Tears. It seems with every Beck album there is a song I take to, despite not being a big fan. The clip below is an acoustic version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPlVqMFblFQ
I guess it will soon be nap time, 2 more nights of work until 12 nights off.
john.
"I got some things I can't tell anyone, I got some things I just can't say, they're the kinda things that no one knows about, just need somebody to talk to me, I'm thinking about leaving tomorrow, I'm thinking about being on my own, think I've been wasting my time....."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-64LZidMb0
Staying with good and sad songs, above is Speedway by Counting Crows.
My bed
London, Ontario
I like sharp pencils.
Snow is blowing out the window and this Sunday is a field of white. Christmas is around the corner and for all its faults, it still makes people smile. The reasons do not have be large, they can be as small as a smile itself. The result of a random act of kindness.
My weekends have become very boring but also very relaxing. Yesterday I spent a couple of hours drinking tea, reading and writing. Then I went and got my haircut, despite having to wait about an hour. I should have figured that it would busy on the last Saturday before Christmas. After hiding my head back under my toque, I went to the mall. I was able to get 3 more gift cards relatively painless and I am almost done my shopping now. I know it doesn't provide the personal touch but all I am giving this year are gift cards or money. It is easier for me and people can get what they want or need.
I got home shortly after 6 and ate some supper. After which I watched the Leafs spank the Penguins 7-2, going to bed right after the game. This couldn't have been much after 9:30 and I slept pretty good only waking up at 3 and 6, finally getting up at 8. I don't know if it is from working midnights or because I used to stay up late on weekends, going to bars or whatever. I am actually enjoying going to bed early and getting up early, no hangovers and no regrets.
This morning I finished watching Numb, the movie where the main character Matthew Perry suffers from depersonalization. The movie wasn't bad or great, it was watchable, the plot was flawed. Also I couldn't help thinking of Perry as Chandler from Friends like in all his movies, it is too hard to separate him from that role. The woman in the movie Lynn Collins was very cute as curly haired redheads can be. Information about the movie is below.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795439/
"Autumn leaves under frozen souls, hungry hands turning soft and old, my hero crying as we stood out their in the cold, like these autumn leaves I don't have nothing to hold........."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB5xoDEOgec
With autumn's official passing this morning, the lyrics above are from Paolo Nutini's sad and poignant Autumn.
I wrote the following yesterday afternoon, a shorter piece than usual, but a piece of writing anyway. Inspired by Venus, a smiling woman and influenced by autumn's ending. Though with our weather, it has been winter for weeks now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB5xoDEOgec
Autumn’s Last Morning
Reflected light causes Venus to glow brightly
I will be studying her on winter nights soon
A man devoid of beauty finding its presence
I woke late today on autumn’s last morning
A wan without a purpose looking for some
The semblance of a reason to strive higher
Angels are only created by our imaginations
Faces given feathers to fly across landscapes
Their passing is as blinding as sun on snow
We are never the same in our heart or mind
The world has changed for the better or worse
A song never heard before and forever sung
I do not sing but will always be listening
When carollers recite their holiday hymns
Words for the believers and even non-believers
Faith is loving without ever being shown love
I am a wanderer of sarcasm and information
Miscellaneous facts tied up in pieces of ribbon
The sky is too vast for them to be seen below
Absorbed into the atmosphere on the jet stream
She is a smile waiting to be really happy again
I could write about readiness and bad timing
A repeated record playing through scratches
The sound is piercing and nothing like music
There is no beauty left in my self impression
Venus stole what remained from me last night.
12/20/08
Today's featured lyrics are from another sad but good song, Beck's Lonesome Tears. It seems with every Beck album there is a song I take to, despite not being a big fan. The clip below is an acoustic version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPlVqMFblFQ
I guess it will soon be nap time, 2 more nights of work until 12 nights off.
john.
"I got some things I can't tell anyone, I got some things I just can't say, they're the kinda things that no one knows about, just need somebody to talk to me, I'm thinking about leaving tomorrow, I'm thinking about being on my own, think I've been wasting my time....."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-64LZidMb0
Staying with good and sad songs, above is Speedway by Counting Crows.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
"And if you're trying to paint a picture, but you're not sure which colors belong, just paint what you see, don't let anyone say it's wrong........"
1:00 pm
Starbucks
Dundas and Richmond
London, Ontario
"Global poverty is a powder keg that could be ignited by our indifference." Bill Clinton.
I got home from my grandparents shortly after 7 last night, after a good meal of slow cooked pork chops done in a smoked hickory sauce, baked red potatoes with sour cream and an assortment of steamed vegetables. I had two complete plates and one slice of apple pie (or slightly more) for dessert (my contribution, bought of course). Very shortly after coming home I went to bed. I slept from around 8 until 9 this morning, I woke up once at close to 4 but didn't bother getting out of bed. I feel pretty rested today and plan on getting my haircut, and a couple more gift cards.
I have already visited the bookstore where I limited myself to one book and I am enjoying some tea right now. I might even do some writing.
I think we got between 10-15 centimetres of snow yesterday and it is definitely a winter wonderland out there. Apparently more snow is on the way Sunday.
I started watching a movie this morning where the main character suffers from depersonalization. I know I don't, but often feel less of a personal connection than I should. In reality, the older I get, the more people annoy and bother me. I think I understand better how trivial their problems are, but to them they are like mountains.
We inhale, we exhale and then life is over. What you do only matters to those living now and when all of them or you are gone, it will not matter. It is not pessimism, it is realism.
Today's featured lyrics are from Wilco's What Light. They got the great privilege of opening up for Neil Young during his recent tour, including back to back nights at New York's Madison Square Garden. A review of that show, particularly Neil's performance is below and a fleeting mention of Wilco being good but not inspiring. I would have gladly loved to go to any one of the shows on this tour.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/17/arts/music/17youn.html?ref=music
The afternoon's passing is like a blanket of snow reflecting off the snow.
john.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE-Bdekw26g (Live)
"I dreamt I saw you walking up a hillside in the snow, casting shadows on the winter sky as you stood their counting crows........."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jHZwcif5hk (Counting Crows, A Murder of One with Doris Day alternates, Live)
Starbucks
Dundas and Richmond
London, Ontario
"Global poverty is a powder keg that could be ignited by our indifference." Bill Clinton.
I got home from my grandparents shortly after 7 last night, after a good meal of slow cooked pork chops done in a smoked hickory sauce, baked red potatoes with sour cream and an assortment of steamed vegetables. I had two complete plates and one slice of apple pie (or slightly more) for dessert (my contribution, bought of course). Very shortly after coming home I went to bed. I slept from around 8 until 9 this morning, I woke up once at close to 4 but didn't bother getting out of bed. I feel pretty rested today and plan on getting my haircut, and a couple more gift cards.
I have already visited the bookstore where I limited myself to one book and I am enjoying some tea right now. I might even do some writing.
I think we got between 10-15 centimetres of snow yesterday and it is definitely a winter wonderland out there. Apparently more snow is on the way Sunday.
I started watching a movie this morning where the main character suffers from depersonalization. I know I don't, but often feel less of a personal connection than I should. In reality, the older I get, the more people annoy and bother me. I think I understand better how trivial their problems are, but to them they are like mountains.
We inhale, we exhale and then life is over. What you do only matters to those living now and when all of them or you are gone, it will not matter. It is not pessimism, it is realism.
Today's featured lyrics are from Wilco's What Light. They got the great privilege of opening up for Neil Young during his recent tour, including back to back nights at New York's Madison Square Garden. A review of that show, particularly Neil's performance is below and a fleeting mention of Wilco being good but not inspiring. I would have gladly loved to go to any one of the shows on this tour.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/17/arts/music/17youn.html?ref=music
The afternoon's passing is like a blanket of snow reflecting off the snow.
john.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE-Bdekw26g (Live)
"I dreamt I saw you walking up a hillside in the snow, casting shadows on the winter sky as you stood their counting crows........."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jHZwcif5hk (Counting Crows, A Murder of One with Doris Day alternates, Live)
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