I stumbled upon this band at a website suggested to me by my friend Connie. I don't think she even knew what it (the website) was all about, but I decided to give it a shot just as a way to pass the time. I still haven't figured it all out - I think there are incentives to doing certain things a certain way (note: I haven't a clue what the incentives may be, or the things to do, or how to do them). What I have found is a bunch of new music, which is cool. I have never really been the giver of great, new music - generally, it is a gift to me which I then shamelessly pass on as my own discovery. Anyhoo, the site is thesixtyone and it's worth a look and listen.
This band is called sixpeopleaway (I HATE that the don't capitalize...it goes against all my schooling) and this clip from YouTube is called "Providence". (However, on thesixtyone it was called "Dig In" - no clue which is correct.) This is some very basic stuff, not a studio video, in fact I don't even know if they have a record deal. No matter, I liked the song, so here it is.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
George Carlin - Ten Commandments
George Carlin was a master at pointing out the flaws in our thinking and behaviour. He loved to dish about the inherent excesses in American life and culture, and was a brilliant political satirist. There are very few who had the balls to speak so openly and eloquently about politics, religion and life. We lost a great one.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
The Way The War Was Won by Your Vegas
I couldn't find a decent video of "It Makes My Heart Break", but found this on YouTube while I was searching. It's a decent song, a bit on the soft side and not evocative of what they can really do, but still a fair enough choice.
Now, here's a live version of "In My Head"...this appears to be their first "real" song. There's a very nice studio type video of this on YouTube, but the enabling for that one has been disabled.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
2008 State Champions
Above is a picture of my sons after they helped their high school baseball team win the 3A State Baseball Title. Dylan (blond, on the left) wants me to point out that he is the younger brother - by three years (I guess his point is that he is taller - leave it to the baby to rub that in).
Being the cynical cunt I am, I'm not a person who experiences a significant amount of joy...but watching them play together and achieve this lofty goal made my heart seize up and tears well in my eyes. One thing I truly wished for them has come to pass - I always hoped they would have a moment like this to talk about as they grow older and go their separate ways. There will come a day when I'm not around to encourage them to love one another despite their differences, and I love the idea of Justin and Dylan sitting around talking about this night and how they got me in a bear hug and squeezed until I squealed for mercy. They thought it was so funny to get me stinky and sweaty, and then invited all their friends to do the same (that's my excuse for my dishevelled appearance).
It was a tough tournament, they were ranked 7th out of 8 teams, and they had to beat the 3rd, 2nd and 1st ranked teams to win the title. I'm so very proud of them!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Disappointment...Or how to avoid it by keeping your big mouth shut
I found myself in the middle of an intense discussion with several co-workers today. We didn’t have enough to do, it being the end of the month, and I made the mistake of being drawn into a conversation I should have avoided. I’m not certain that I could have found the mental temerity to just stay out of it even knowing the outcome. Color me foolish.
It started innocently enough - “Let’s talk about our scariest dreams”…this turned into a talk about recurring dreams, and how to interpret what they might mean. I shared something far too personal, and was met with a barrage of pseudo-psycho-intellectual advice on what was wrong with me, my life, my beliefs. I hit the defensive fence running and never looked back, trying to explain myself to an audience that was so closed off to any intelligent thought they believe every morsel of fear-mongering crap fed to them from birth.
Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that I would never be able to reason with this group until it was far too late. By this time, I had explained that rather than tell my sons what to believe about religion (or anything, for that matter), I exposed them to as many differing opinions as I could find so they could make a choice for themselves. I was asked, “But what if they choose the wrong thing?”…”Umm, their choice will be the right thing for them, even if it is not the right thing for me; that’s the beauty of allowing them to make an informed choice - they know their options and pick one.” I was then told that I was a neglectful parent, allowing a child to do/think/feel something that doesn’t necessarily fall in line with my ideas. That I may as well give them drugs and alcohol and not expect them to go to school every day. That I was not protecting them like I am supposed to. That by exposing them to all the world has to offer, I have opened them up to being influenced by “bad things”. Apparently, once they see all the bad in the world, they begin to think it is okay because they are numbed, and this will make them do things that “good” kids don’t do.
I’m still so fucking stunned that I can’t even get my head around the narrow-mindedness of people, and the sheer stupidity of thinking that if you live in a bubble nothing bad will ever happen. More on this when I can think straight.
It started innocently enough - “Let’s talk about our scariest dreams”…this turned into a talk about recurring dreams, and how to interpret what they might mean. I shared something far too personal, and was met with a barrage of pseudo-psycho-intellectual advice on what was wrong with me, my life, my beliefs. I hit the defensive fence running and never looked back, trying to explain myself to an audience that was so closed off to any intelligent thought they believe every morsel of fear-mongering crap fed to them from birth.
Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that I would never be able to reason with this group until it was far too late. By this time, I had explained that rather than tell my sons what to believe about religion (or anything, for that matter), I exposed them to as many differing opinions as I could find so they could make a choice for themselves. I was asked, “But what if they choose the wrong thing?”…”Umm, their choice will be the right thing for them, even if it is not the right thing for me; that’s the beauty of allowing them to make an informed choice - they know their options and pick one.” I was then told that I was a neglectful parent, allowing a child to do/think/feel something that doesn’t necessarily fall in line with my ideas. That I may as well give them drugs and alcohol and not expect them to go to school every day. That I was not protecting them like I am supposed to. That by exposing them to all the world has to offer, I have opened them up to being influenced by “bad things”. Apparently, once they see all the bad in the world, they begin to think it is okay because they are numbed, and this will make them do things that “good” kids don’t do.
I’m still so fucking stunned that I can’t even get my head around the narrow-mindedness of people, and the sheer stupidity of thinking that if you live in a bubble nothing bad will ever happen. More on this when I can think straight.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Reflection
Having survived the high school graduation of my oldest son, I can’t help but wonder about the man he will become, and the person he is today, and how much of it really has to do with me and my parenting “skills”.
I will never claim to be the best mother around…I see other women do far more with far less. However, I refuse to be a mother who is certain her child “would never do” this, that, and the other. In fact, I expect that both boys will do a number of things which I find cringe worthy, embarrassing, or flat-out stupid. I don’t think that makes me a bad parent; the fact they will share their exploits with me brings me a sense of satisfaction at their trust in me. They know that I will not judge them, I will give advice as best I can, and won’t go running to their father to “rat them out”. This doesn’t mean there are no consequences for their actions - but it does mean I will try to mete out any punishment with a clear head, rather than immediately declare them ineligible to enjoy any of their favorite pursuits -- time with friends, Xbox live, or going online.
They haven’t had the easiest time. Their father and I divorced eight years ago, and we’ve struggled in every sense - financially, emotionally, psychologically. I made a point of keeping my opinion about their father and step-mother to myself, even when it cost me handfuls of hair to do so. I don’t think I was as grounded as they deserved, and yet they are strong-willed, honest (at times to a fault), and quick to defend the downtrodden. Both boys have goals, and are willing to work hard to achieve them. Unfortunately, their goals have never included taking out the trash or mowing the lawn. They both know how to push me to my limit, nudging and inching me toward the edge of reason, and then laughing when I finally snap. As irritating as I find this, I also enjoy how we interact with one another. But then I wonder if it is the best thing for them, in the long run, and if I am preparing them to be men who can survive in this world.
Maybe this is more about what I think of myself as a parent than what I think of their future. Maybe I am just beginning my mid-life crisis…fuck knows I’m officially old enough. Maybe I am simply being self-indulgent and spoiled. Maybe.
I will never claim to be the best mother around…I see other women do far more with far less. However, I refuse to be a mother who is certain her child “would never do” this, that, and the other. In fact, I expect that both boys will do a number of things which I find cringe worthy, embarrassing, or flat-out stupid. I don’t think that makes me a bad parent; the fact they will share their exploits with me brings me a sense of satisfaction at their trust in me. They know that I will not judge them, I will give advice as best I can, and won’t go running to their father to “rat them out”. This doesn’t mean there are no consequences for their actions - but it does mean I will try to mete out any punishment with a clear head, rather than immediately declare them ineligible to enjoy any of their favorite pursuits -- time with friends, Xbox live, or going online.
They haven’t had the easiest time. Their father and I divorced eight years ago, and we’ve struggled in every sense - financially, emotionally, psychologically. I made a point of keeping my opinion about their father and step-mother to myself, even when it cost me handfuls of hair to do so. I don’t think I was as grounded as they deserved, and yet they are strong-willed, honest (at times to a fault), and quick to defend the downtrodden. Both boys have goals, and are willing to work hard to achieve them. Unfortunately, their goals have never included taking out the trash or mowing the lawn. They both know how to push me to my limit, nudging and inching me toward the edge of reason, and then laughing when I finally snap. As irritating as I find this, I also enjoy how we interact with one another. But then I wonder if it is the best thing for them, in the long run, and if I am preparing them to be men who can survive in this world.
Maybe this is more about what I think of myself as a parent than what I think of their future. Maybe I am just beginning my mid-life crisis…fuck knows I’m officially old enough. Maybe I am simply being self-indulgent and spoiled. Maybe.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
What If (live) by Coldplay
I almost cringe at posting this - there are days I adore Coldplay, and days I'm loathe to admit that fact. Sometimes I just feel like they went through the motions, made some hit songs and sold a bunch of records. And then there are moments when the sound of Chris Martin's voice makes my throat seize up and my lips swell in anticipation of tears. Finding this video on YouTube made me stop, sit, and listen...all while trying to ignore the hitch in my breathing and increasingly runny nose. Enough said.
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