Monday, August 24, 2009

A Little Bit of Snow

Just something I needed to hear today. I'm thinking about friends in tough places, worrying a bit and wishing them strength and sanity in tough times.







A Little Bit of Snow - Howard Jones

Please don't throw you away we need you to stay
When you die a part of us dies
Not the body but part of the soul
You have a light for us we need every glimmer
Don't destroy yourself in a little bit of snow
When there is no feeling and no pain
It only lasts a little while
When one light goes out a part of all of us cries

Please hang on for us
Please give you to us
Don't destroy yourself in a little bit of snow

Please don't throw you away we need you to stay
When you die a part of us dies
Not the body but part of the soul
Drink the sunshine warm to the rain
Keep the glimmer alive for all of us
And a million matches in the night
Will help to light the way
When one light goes out
A part of all of us cries

Please hang on for us
Please give you to us
Don't destroy yourself in a little bit of snow

Drink the sunshine, warm to the rain
Keep the glimmer alive for all of us
And a million matches in the night
Will help to light the way
When one light goes out
A part of all of us cries


 

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Again. Again.

I love music. I love rock and pop and dance and blues and country and... well, pretty much everything except heavy rap and speed metal. So I have lots of great tunes to choose from when I want to listen to music. But what of those songs that really connect? The ones that I can play over and over, sometimes even back to back to back, and still love? Those songs are on a playlist I have called "Again. Again."

Here's a few of them, in no particular order:































I can put songs like this on a shuffle playlist and listen to them over and over, all day long. Maybe it's the music, maybe the words, or maybe it's a personal connection to each track. I don't know and I don't really care. I just dig these tracks.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Something I Say

I see her in the break room, and she asks how I am
"Fine, thanks"
But I'm not
It's just something I say


He steps into my office, asks about my weekend
"It was great"
But it wasn't
It's just something I say


I lie as easily as I breathe, it seems,
The words leaving my lips as effortlessly as you left me


I see you sometimes, at our places
"Take care"
But I don't mean it
It's just something I say

Write, damn it. Write.

There isn't a secret to writing. There isn't a spell or potion or trick to getting words down on paper or up on a screen. There is no easy way or work around to make it happen.

In order to write, one must simply do it. And that is truly the hard part.

Monday, August 3, 2009

What was your M.O.S.?

Last night I drove through the Taco Bell drive thru while wearing a tank top, and the guy at the window asked me what my MOS was? It took me a second to understand that he saw my Marine Corps tattoo, was himself a fellow Marine, and was asking about the job I did while in the Corps.

I have been trying to find something to motivate me to get to the gym, eat better, and get myself back in shape. Well, I found it. Wearing the Eagle, Globe and Anchor again means that in my own little corner of the world, and in my own way, I represent the Marine Corps. That is reason enough to get myself off the pity pot and back on my feet. I mean, do I really want people to look at my tattoo, look at the shape I am in, and think, "was that guy ever really a Marine?"

It's time to work. Semper Fi, indeed.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Shelter, or Two For One

I just watched Shelter.
Forced to give up his dreams of art school, Zach spends his days working a dead-end job and helping his needy sister care for her son. In his free time he surfs, draws and hangs out with his best friend, Gabe, who lives on the wealthy side of town. When Gabe's older brother, Shaun, returns home, he is drawn to Zach's selflessness and talent. Zach falls in love with Shaun while struggling to reconcile his own desires with the needs of his family.

What a surprise. I loved it. Good story, excellent performances, and a fanastic soundtrack. It's a winner.







And it wouldn't be a post from me if I didn't mention the two leads, Trevor Wright and Brad Rowe.

Shelter