A current fav. song of mine — Sleep through the Static by Jack Johnson.

It is rainy hard today which reminds me of the news reports coming out of Pakistan and those terrible floods. I’ve been following the news and feeling as helpless as anyone to do anything. The aid system is gearing up — and locally has already kicked into high gear, but the images are nonetheless frightening and simultaneously amazing. Amazing because they document human ingenuity, adaptation and propensity to survive. They also document the aid effort, such as it is. Frightening, because the situation is so desperate.

So today, on this rainy Sunday in Ottawa, my thoughts are of and with Pakistan.

And You May Find Yourself Living In A Shotgun Shack
And You May Find Yourself In Another Part Of The World
And You May Find Yourself Behind The Wheel Of A Large Automobile
And You May Find Yourself In A Beautiful House, With A Beautiful Wife
And You May Ask Yourself-Well…How Did I Get Here? — Talking Heads.

——

In my late teens, I remember that someone (a friend — not sure who) asked me if I like the song Burning Down the House by Talking Heads. I said, “Well, sort of, but I prefer Once in a Lifetime.” Most of my peers knew the Talking Heads only by Burning Down The House and I don’t know why. *shrugs*. But then, I had a thing for “cult classics”. I admit that it was really my brother who got me switched onto Talking Heads, but hey, he has good taste in music so why not?

Anyway, it wasn’t just the song Once in a Lifetime that I liked, but this video. And I got to thinking about it today because this afternoon/evening was surreal — helped by the fact that I saw the movie Inception last night, I think. And now I am thinking about our realities, perceptions, self (and selves), life, cliché, etc. And this song somehow personifies “a slice of life” for me. Especially the opening moments of the video and the repetitive gesture David Byrne does on cutting up his arm. Like Inception, this song has so many layers to it — and to life.

Enjoy the song and see Inception…

This pretty much says it all.

“This youthful heart can love you yes and give you what you need
I said this youthful heart can love you and give you what you need
But I’m too old to go chasing you around
Wasting my precious energy”

– Tracy Chapman

I am a romantic fool.

“Maybe some women aren’t meant to be tamed. Maybe they just need to run free till they find someone just as wild to run with them.” – Sex in the City

Now I’m walking again to the beat of a drum
And I’m counting the steps to the door of your heart
Only shadows ahead, barely clearing the roof.
…
Hey now, Hey now
Don’t dream it’s over.

– Crowded House

OK, I am aging myself here, but this is one of my favourite break-up songs, to the extent that anyone should have a favourite break-up song.

I’m another ex-girlfriend on your list
But I should have thought of that before we kissed
I’m another ex-girlfriend on your list
But I should have thought of that before we kissed

But I should have thought of that before we kissed…

– Ex-Girlfriend by No Doubt