"21st Century" -- Red Hot Chili Peppers

Music is the best form of collaboration.

"...Turn the screw and

Twist my language

Don't forsake me

I'm contaigious...

...It's my favorite combination

Comin down with the favored nations

Deportation

Mutilation

Learn to give and take dictation...

...Read me your scripture and

Read me your scripture

And I will twist it

Show me your wrist and I

Show me your wrist and

Show me your wrist and I'll kiss it kiss it...

...Super soldier

Hand it over

Stop and read what you just wrote huh

Strangulation

Altercation

All the sex and bird migration..."

Someone on the radio said once, referring to "the Zephyr Song," that though it made no sense, it was a great song that they loved. I disagree. While definitely great music, it makes perfect sense to me. There is something in the way the words and music work together to formulate these discernable messages about sociocultural reflections and unique experiences that makes for a very enjoyable experience. The messages themselves are complex currents of words twisting through the music, words which are both influenced and highlighted by the flow of the music.

If you take away the music, like I have, by transcribing different verses without the chorus, it is a poem. I could break it down for you, but that would make it too easy. Listen to one of your favorite songs. Listen to it little by little, making full use of your media player's many buttons, and write it out. What about it makes it a good song to you? Could the words stand on their own? Do they need music to successfully communicate the message?

All I know for sure is that music makes me feel better. Some music can soothe a foul mood, enhance a good mood, or spark a melancholy mood. It makes me wonder how much music influences other people's lives...

[Short and sweet--which is all I have time to post for now.]

"People Are Strange" -- The Doors

  When Mom and Dad would keep Anna, then later, Addison, as well, during finals or spring break, we would meet at this quadruple restaurant thing halfway between our respective homes. On one such occasion, we had decided to eat, and were watching the kids play arcade games and eat ketchup. Not too long into our meal, an older couple came and sat in the booth across the aisle from us.
   I leaned into Mom and whispered, "That guy looks like Colonel Sanders!"
   And, of course, he did look like Colonel Sanders. He had the whole thing going on. He was an older man with white hair, white facial hair, white suit with bolo tie, and white hat. It was crazy--crazy like a Fried Chicken King look-alike.
  After looking at him Mom said, "I think he means to look like Colonel Sanders."
  Which makes sense. Why else would you look like Colonel Sanders? The side of their car had a magnetic sign that said something about him being the Colonel Sanders Look-Alike Contest winner. Apparently there are enough Colonel Sanders look-alikes to necessitate a contest. I wonder if he received a sash and a scepter? Maybe they had a scepter made with a chicken leg on top... What kind of skills must one possess to attain such a title?
  If there's a Colonel Sanders look-alike, is there a Wendy look-alike? Is there a even a Wendy? I always thought she looked like Pippie Longstocking... Or maybe there are Dave look-alikes. There is most likely a vast industry ripe with the dopplegangers of various celebrities and psuedo-celebrities, circulating amongst us, surprising us at restaurants and posing for pictures.
  How about this... I will put up a gadget, and you go out and find yourself a look-alike and upload a picture for all to see. I want to know if you can find someone in your home town who looks like someone famous or remotely famous. I'll make my own little contest. Whoever gets the best photo with a look-alike will get...

"On the Turning Away" -- Pink Floyd

Have you ever gotten one of those newsletters? One of those family things--or sometimes business newsletters--that contain all the year's accomplishments at which they expect you to marvel? One such annual newsletter which our family receives has become, to us, both inspirational and encouraging for its honesty. Without further ado I give you the :


"First Annual New _____ Times Newsletter

It’s not a paperzine, but it’s certainly more amusing.

Albino Peacock Publications
Volume Number 1
Issue Number 1
January 2011

2010
Aunt Susie is on yet another ski trip. She’s a sucker for the white fluff. After the near miss with the avalanche last year, we figured that she would find another profession. But skiing is her passion, and she competes all around the world. Just last month she brought home gold at the WoW!Shred event. It was pretty damn awesome.
Adrienne is enjoying being at the top of the hierarchy of the company she once worked for, easily becoming executive vice president of national sales in a matter of months. The business is quickly becoming one of the city’s most reliable and efficient technology resource consulting firms. With her immense wealth she has opened a homeless shelter and trade store. The trade store is currently accepting donations.
Uncle Bernie is changing the way recyclable materials are used. He is building housing complexes using a combination of recycled materials such as plastic bottles, cardboard, recycled metals, and shoes. He does wonderful work for the community and was recently awarded with the Good Deeds for the Planet Award of Honor. It was a beautiful ceremony.
Beatriz is currently writing a crazy blog that no one reads. Her husband makes a lot of money in the chromologic ink application business, as supervising quality control god. As a result, Beatriz is able to watch soap operas and eat Krispy Kreme donuts while she writes trashy romance novels. She is particularly proud of the cover art for her novels, which feature dolphins in a wide array of swim wear. She makes a bit of money selling these books to the Usually A Dollar stores in the area, and her publisher is promising to go nationwide next year.
  Conway is still president of his company, despite some dispute with the board of trustees, and has had recent success with the simulated diamond industry. He even has a new gold grill with diamond embellishments. His latest invention coats your car with a coat of diamond dust. He will begin testing diamond dusted clothing in the spring.
 Just as the past year has brought all of our family such wonderful things, so may the new year bring wonderful things to yours.
Love,
The _____ Family"

Well, I said inspiring and encouraging, but a load of crap sounds a lot better than what actually happened.
Now, of course, if this were really my family newsletter it would say "2010: Year of Shit Storms, Turd Sandwiches, and the Great Flood." I didn't have a new year's resolution, but now I think I do. I think I will try to be less depressing. Then, perhaps my family will want to read my blog after all.