Sound Bites: Shallow

After dinner, we parked by the piano and played some music...

Sound bite >>> here.

Beauty in the Breakdown

Drink up, baby, down
Mmm, are you in or are you out?
Leave your things behind
'Cause it's all going off without you

Excuse me, too busy
You're writing your tragedy
These mishaps you bubble wrap
When you've no idea what you're like

So let go, so let go, hmm, jump in
Oh, well, whatcha waiting for? It's alright
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown

So let go, yeah let go, just get in
Oh, it's so amazing here, it's alright
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown

It gains the more it gives
And then it rises with the fall
So hand me that remote
Can't you see that all that stuff's a sideshow?

Such boundless pleasure
We've no time for later now
You can't await your own arrival
You've twenty seconds to comply

So let go, so let go and jump in
Oh, well, whatcha waiting for? It's alright
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown

So let go, yeah, let go, just get in
Oh, it's so amazing here, it's alright
'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown

Love Song to Myself

I grew up waiting. In every sense of the word. One of the downsides of punctuality, I guess. I hate having people wait for me, why can't they do the same. Always wondered about that. Then, I grew older and realized if I kept waiting, maybe nothing, or no one, will come. Still, at 41, there's like this faint voice in my head that's telling me to wait. But time's a-ticking. I can't afford to anymore.

Wish I could sit down with my 14-year-old self, shake her up a bit, make her take down notes. Maybe I wouldn't be as chipped as I am now. I'd start with something like, Hey! Yes, you, listen here. Stop being a baby and grow a pair. You keep looking out that window, keep counting the cars and people that pass you by, waiting for someone to rescue you when you can rescue yourself. Do us both a favor and just stop.

And I'd play this song for her. For us.

Are your hands shaking?
Are your fists breaking?
Are you climbing over walls?
Are the times changing?
Is the noise fading?
'Cause I wanna get it all

I kinda feel like I, feel like I saw the light
You got me way up, a thousand miles
Can we stay right here in this atmosphere?
Or are you afraid to fall?

Don't look down
Up this high, we'll never hit the ground
Don't look down
See that sky, we're gonna reach it now
Do you feel the lightning inside of you?
Will you follow through if I fall for you?
Don't look down
Up this high, we'll never hit the ground

A World Without Dolores

I was having the best dream. Then I woke up at 5:15 this morning and saw the headlines and friends’ tags on my FB feed. Dolores O’Riordan, front woman of The Cranberries, a true pioneer, an Irish angel, an inspiration to many, had passed away. She was only 46 years young. I stayed in bed for as long as I could. Got up only when my daughter demanded that I feed her.

I played her music all day. My daughter is slowly becoming familiar with the sound that has largely shaped my taste in music and my deep affinity (obsession?) with everything Irish. The first three Cranberries albums fueled my high school band’s repertoire. We played their songs, sung her words, connected each lyric and hook and bass line and beat to every human emotion we knew. And they continue to move me to my core. Even with her gone. Especially now that she’s gone. 

It was a sad day, truly. For her family and friends, no doubt. And for everyone who found solace in her music and in her voice.

Needless to say, the world will never be the same.

RIP Dolores.

What About What I Want

I want a Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 35 Monogram or Damier Ebene. I want to go all around Ireland and live there for free for at least a month. I want to eat and watch movies for a living. I want to lose 50 lbs. and look good in tight fitting clothes and swimwear. I want to have radiant, flawless skin. I want a celestial body named after me. I want to wear heels all day everyday and not feel pain. I want to travel to Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, the UK, Cambodia, Vietnam, Italy, France, Czech Republic, Brazil. I want to fly first class. I want to take a selfie with Ethan Hawke and Henry Cavill. I want passion. I want to be good on the drums. I want to have a decked out home office. I want a free lifetime subscription to Netflix and iFlix. I want the perfect little black dress that will make me look like a million bucks every time I wear it. I want to take a long, leisurely shower with absolutely no distractions and interruptions. I want to hibernate in a 4-star hotel room with a king-size bed, round the clock room service at no extra cost, and the fluffiest pillows and duvet in the world. I want the latest iPhone and MacBook Pro. I want to use a skateboard with no fear. I want to sing a duet with Gary Lightbody and our song goes to #1 on iTunes and the Billboard charts. I want perfect-fitting, flattering jeans. I want a kick-ass kitchen. I want to go to the supermarket and fill the cart without having to worry about how much it's all going to cost. I want to be adored, acknowledged, complimented, desired, loved. I want to go shopping whenever I want. I want Luna to grow up responsible, respectful, grounded, successful, healthy, beautiful. I want more kids. I want a happy home. I want to want for nothing.

Firelight - My Life According To Snow Patrol

I did this once upon a time, but I have no idea where it is now. Nor do I remember if I gave the same answers. Probably not because some of these songs were just released in the last couple of years. Incidentally, someone tagged me on Facebook not too long ago, asking me to do this. I thought, what the heck, it'll be fun.¹ You should do it, too!

Using only song names from one artist, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to people you like and include me. Try not to repeat a song title. It's harder than you think.

Pick Your Artist: SNOW PATROL²

Are you male or female: SAME

Describe yourself: I AM AN ASTRONAUT

How do you feel about yourself: WOW

Describe where you currently live: AN OLIVE GROVE FACING THE SEA

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: NEW YORK³

Your favorite form of transportation: IF THERE'S A ROCKET TIE ME TO IT

Your best friend is: THE PRESIDENT

Your favorite color is: BLACK AND BLUE

What's the weather like: CRACK THE SHUTTERS

Favorite time of day: THE LIGHTNING STRIKE

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: VELOCITY GIRL

What is life to you: SWEET LITTLE MYSTERY

What is the best advice you have to give: THIS ISN'T EVERYTHING YOU ARE

If you could change your name, what would it be: STARFIGHTER PILOT

Your favorite food is: CHOCOLATE⁴

Thought for the Day: WHEN IT'S ALL OVER WE STILL HAVE TO CLEAR UP

How you would like to die: DISASTER BUTTON

My soul's present condition: YOU COULD BE HAPPY

The faults I can bear: SPITTING GAMES⁵

My motto: JUST SAY YES

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1 "It'll be fun" - this will be my battle cry from here on out.^↩
2 I've been in love with their music since '06. Was fortunate to exchange correspondences with them via MySpace in '07. Finally got to see them live in concert in '12 while 8 months pregnant. My baby didn't seem to mind.^↩
3 Of course, New York. I would've said Ireland, but ironically, these gifted Irish boys have never written a song entitled Ireland.^↩
4 There couldn't have been a better answer for this.^↩
5 I have been spit on, yes. Landed on my foot, thank God.^↩