Truth No. 2

"Sing me something brave from your mouth

And I'll bring you pearls of water on my hips

And the love in my lips, all the love from my lips"
 -- DCX

Sentiments

"Don't look for shooting stars
For love is only love
You touch and still you touch the ground
Don't listen for those bells
For love is only love
And if it's love you've found
Your heart won't hear a sound
And when you hold his hand
You only hold his hand
The violins are all a bluff
But if you're really wise
The silence of his eyes
Will tell you
Love is only love
And it's wonderful enough
Without the shooting stars
Without the sounds of bells
Without the violins
Love is wonderful enough"

No Blue Monday

I found a new theme song for my life.

"Put on your Sunday clothes when you feel down and out
Strut down the street and have your picture took
Dressed like a dream your spirits seem to turn about
That Sunday shine is a certain sign
That you feel as fine as you look!

Beneath your parasol, the world is all a smile
That makes you feel brand new down to your toes
Get out your feathers, your patent leathers
Your beads and buckles and bows
For there's no blue Monday in your Sunday clothes!"

Image

This song makes me so happy. I went through a period where I was obsessed with Hello Dolly! so I picked it up from the library and have been belting out all the songs. When 'Put on Your Sunday Clothes' came on, I could not stop smiling. I have always loved to get gussied up. And I am getting a beautiful parasol for the summer, which from under I will sing my heart out. Shouldn't you feel special every day?

Out on the Town

Time to party with the friends I love.

Time to max out my hair.

Time to make up my face.

Time to slink into a little dress.

Time to dance and dance until the sun comes up.

"Good morning midnight

Hello again

If I don't close my eyes

Days never end."

Indestructible

"I'm gonna love you like I've never been hurt before.

I'm gonna love you like I'm indestructible."

The State Song

My husband is so silly.

Do you know the "State Song?" It's this song that you learn in elementary school that teaches all the names of the states in alphabetical order. In good keeping with the educational system, we practice it at our house. After all, we don't want to be deprived of Thanksgiving dinner like Ross because we can't remember the 50 states.

Anyway, we're driving home the other night and he keeps singing it over and over. Everytime he makes a mistake, he begins again. It took him almost the entire 15 minute drive home to get it perfect. The Ns in particular were giving him trouble.

I hate this song now.

A Gem

Jewel is one of my most favorite musical artists. I've been going through all of my music on shuffle and every time one of her songs pops up my heart lifts a little. In particular, I love her album 'Pieces of You' because of all the acoustic tracks and maybe, just maybe, because I've been listening to it for 15 years. The songs are non-conventional (in a good way) and just a treat to hear. She is a true poet and her lyrics always move me with their honesty. If you haven't explored the wonder of Jewel, perhaps I can entice you with this -- one of my favorites:

"Morning Song"

Let the phone ring

Let's go back to sleep

Let the world spin outside out door,

You're the only one that I wanna see

Tell your boss you're sick, hurry, get back in I'm getting cold

Get over here and warm my hands up, boy, it's you they love to hold

And stop thinking about what your sister said

Stop worrying about it, the cat's already been fed

Come on darlin', let's go back to bed

Put the phone machine on hold

Leave the dishes in the sink

Do not answer the door

It's you that I adore

I'm gonna give you some more

We'll sit on the front porch, the sun can warm my feet

You can drink your coffee with sugar and cream

I'll drink my decaf herbal tea

Pretend we're perfect strangers and that we never met...

My how you remind me of a man I used to sleep with

That's a face I'd never forget

You can be Henry Miller and I'll be Anais Nin

Except this time it'll be even better,

We'll stay together in the end

Come on darlin', let's go back to bed

Put the phone machine on hold

Leave the dishes in the sink

Do not answer the door

For you, the poor man's wife

I'm gonna give you some more

Let the phone ring

Let's go back to sleep

Ahh. Perfection.

Christmas Portrait

If you are looking for a most excellent Christmas CD - I recommend "Christmas Portrait" by The Carpenters. It has classics and some fun twists on old tunes. And, of course, Karen's voice carries through and makes you feel decidedly 'holiday'-ish. It also has beautiful instrumentals provided by Richard which really make the album stand out from other Christmas CDs, which are usually rubbish.

I've loved The Carpenters since I was a teenager. I was obssessed with Karen - both for her voice and for her sad story. I was immediately hooked on their "sound" and the simple beauty of their music. Their Christmas CD ties in the best of their musical talent and the magic of the holiday season.

Go. Buy. Enjoy.

By the way...please ignore the scary, big, bobble head cover art. It in no way reflects what's inside.

A Conversation

When you've known someone for a long time (say, 9 years) and you hang out a lot (because you still love them) you start to provide a service to each other. That service being, acting as the other's overfill brain for random information, and if not able to provide the exact information, at least you can be a jumping off point for coherent thought processes. Example:

Tom: Who sings this song?

Me: I'm not sure...

Tom: Rihanna?

Me: No.

Tom: Cialis?

Me: I don't know who that is.

Tom: Oh - nevermind. Cialis is that male impotency drug.

Oh, ABBA

Who can deny the fabulosity that is ABBA? No one.

When I first started hearing about "Mamma Mia!" (exclamation point built into the title) I was instantly interested because of my intense love of ABBA. However, I never saw the Broadway version, so imagine my excitement when Hollywood made the musical into a movie. My "mamma" and I went to see it today - it was great great great!!!

The following songs made it into the movie; lots of classics and even some B sides. You can preview the soundtrack here. If you don't know these songs, please go out and buy an ABBA CD immediately or go see the movie or you could watch "Muriel's Wedding," as you are missing out on something fantastic.

• Honey, Honey
• Money, Money, Money
• Mamma Mia
• Dancing Queen
• Chiquitita
• Our Last Summer
• Lay All Your Love On Me
• Super Trouper
• Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
• The Name of the Game
• Voulez-Vous
• SOS
• Does Your Mother Know
• Slipping Through My Fingers
• The Winner Takes It All
• When All is Said and Done
• Take a Chance on Me
• I Have a Dream
• Thank You for the Music

No, ABBA, thank YOU for the music.

Mad About Madonna

I absolutely love Madonna's new cd. "Hard Candy" is best for getting pumped to go to the gym, getting pumped to go to work, or getting pumped up while driving - really, for getting pumped up about any random thing that comes your way. The music makes me want to get up and dance (which I often do) and play the cd repeatedly. Rush out immediately and buy it. I also recommend Madonna's "Confessions on a Dance Floor." Simply alternate these two cds for non-stop rhythm to rock out and dance to. The perfect ingredient for a fantastic summer.