Listening to life requires infinite desire and infinite patience. Given time, every song has a story to tell. Here are mine. Tell me yours?
Memories, news, reviews. Old and new.
Wish. Listen.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Week 1: New World Order
Day 3: You Better WORK!
Current track: Ms. New Booty from The Charm (2006) -- Bubba Sparxxx feat. The Ying Yang Twins and Mr. ColliPark
Allow me to apologize in advance, for today's featured track. I definitely wouldn't call it a "good" song, but it makes me laugh, and it will probably still end up on my workout mix. I had to do it, though. Given all of the advertising that is directed at health and fitness during the month of January, I couldn't have chosen a more appropriate music video to share. It spoofs every infomercial trope that it can muster.
So many people make resolutions that aim for better health, and good intentions so often turn into a waste of time, energy, and money. Hell, I've done it, too. This year, I am crazy enough to have started a Couch Potato to 10K training schedule, as my first "project." I'm treating it as an experiment, rather than a goal. I am much more interested in becoming more aware of my physical body than I am catering to some egoistic need to feel pretty. I already like my booty; thanks for noticing. Now, let's dance.
Describe the new you in 2011. (Here is a hint: it is probably a whole lot like the present you.)
7:21 PM
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Week 1: New World Order
Day 2: It's a Brand New Day....
Current track: Brand New Day from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog -- Joss Whedon
What is it about New Year's resolutions that have people up in arms, dropping "weapons of mass destruction" on the previous year? I have always found it more than a little amusing that so many people spew so much venom, only to turn around and declare that the New Year will be "so much better." Does anyone else see the irony, here?
I rarely make New Year's Resolutions...more like, New Year's "I'll Give It a Shots," or New Year's "We'll See What Happens-es." I have no delusions about actually being resolute, because I prefer flexibility and humor to failure. Last year, I started making a least one silly resolution. Things that seem silly at first can do beautiful things for one's life. In fact, I could argue that overcoming any obstacle requires a person to get over themselves, and their feelings of silliness, insecurity, awkwardness, etc. Last year, I chose "Cultivate the Absurd" as my non-resolution. I think it went well, especially in my classroom. I'm still not sure what silly/crazy goal to attack, this year. World domination might be a good place to start (see below).
Leave your suggestions in the comments!
Labels: ]anuary, 2011, Week 1
8:15 PM
Monday, January 3, 2011
Week 1: New World Order
[Well, if I have learned nothing else today, it is that I need to start planning my playlists WELL in advance. I am far too invested in telling a good story to make sacrifices, when it comes to song choice and ordering. For all the music nerds out there, read the song titles/artists as they cycle through the embedded player at the bottom of the page.]
Given that this blog is officially up and running, I thought that I would christen her maiden voyage with songs that reflect both sacrifice and gain. There is a danger in becoming nostalgic for things that have passed away with the previous year, but there is equal peril in forward motion given to guilt alone. 2010 wasn't an easy year, by any stretch of the imagination. Unemployment hit a lot of my close friends and family members, and those that weren't directly affected by job loss felt trapped. I know that I did. Financial security (ha!) took first place on my list of priorities. Sadly, I missed out on a few promising opportunities, as a result of my own fears for the future. I lost another year with someone that I love dearly. I said goodbye to my mother, just in case. I had a beloved pet die in my arms, for the first time. I injured myself in a fall that is still affecting me in small ways, months later. I also had a terrific year.
Here is the thing: I'm not tempted into a war against the past or false hopes of a utopian future. I sit squarely in the middle, somewhere between Letting Go and Holding On to what I already have. The songs I chose reflect my priorities. Making the world a more beautiful place is at the top of the list. I have to start somewhere, so I'm imposing my own New World Order.
What do you need to let go, or pick up, in 2011? Pick a song, post it in the comments, add to the list.Labels: 2011, Week 1
10:58 PM
Sunday, January 2, 2011
New Year, New Madness!
Hello again! It has been ages since I first set up this blog and started posting. Since that time, I have taken countless moments to consider why I lacked the motivation/focus/energy/time/(excuses, excuses) to continue posting on a regular basis. Thankfully, I feel like I have reached some important conclusions:
- It is far too easy to get obsessed with music, when you are a music teacher.
- Given #1, I am extremely opposed to pigeon-holing myself into a particular genre-based blog. Sure, I could focus solely on one genre, but I feel like I would be missing out on so much more.
- #2 presents a few formatting problems, namely, where to begin, and how to hold it all together.
- Perceived solipsism begets guilt. I really don't want this blog to become an all-about-me page. Music is about community, shared passions and visions, and artistic expression. It is also about math, science, language, history, and culture. To ignore any of the above would be irresponsible and BORING.
There are, of course, solutions to everything presented above. In short, I refuse to apologize for wanting to explore music as thoroughly as I can. I do need to find a springboard though, some place to start my dive into the deep end. I've decided to streamline my blogging process by focusing on a weekly theme, daily posts on that theme, and end-of-the-week reflections. The formatting should become more obvious and organic, as I continue to add content. To solve the "ME ME ME" (mi mi mi?) dilemma, the solution is a simple one: get over it. Like any writer, I need to start somewhere, and it doesn't much matter where Somewhere is located. Music writing -- and especially music criticism -- is subjective by nature. In fact, I am fairly certain that true objectivity is impossible, where human beings are concerned. So, where is Somewhere located, these days? I am jumping on the New Year's bandwagon, and this week's posts will focus on the "new." Take that any way you would like. Stay tuned for tomorrow's post, with an updated playlist!
Current track: Auld Lang Syne -- The Real McKenzies
Labels: 2011, beginnings, January
3:52 PM
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