And I Was In Crazy Motion Til You Calmed Me Down

This is all I want to say today...

Something So Right - Paul Simon

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Happy Birthday Gracie girl :)

When Grace was a baby, she used to love to bounce around to this particular song. Crazy, I know, but Grace has always been a little dramatic. And we wouldn't want her any other way.

Happy Birthday, Gracie. We love you so very much :)

Paper Planes - M.I.A.

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(So gangsta in her shades and her swing, don't you think? ;)

Baby, It's Been A Long Day...

Another song for the Joy Playlist. Christopher doesn't know about this one yet, but it's perfect, particularly after the run I've been having this spring. Let's just say today culminated in a student downloading porn on a school computer.

Plus, this song has such a great groove.

Seriously. The best thing... :)

You Are The Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne

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You're dirty and sweet, clad in black, don't look back

When I started this project, I had every intention of telling lots of stories, and then, well, life happened. This has been one of the busiest years of my life, and since 2011 has begun, one of the most joyful. I am happy, and my life is full, and I find myself not finding the time to sit and play on the internet these days. As Sean put it, he misses seeing me around online, but he's glad I'm happy.

So am I.

Which is not to say there won't be stories; I just need to make some time to write them.

Today's song, however, is one more to channel positive energy for the Bruins. Clad in black, DON'T LOOK BACK!!! And I love you. Dirty, sweet, and you're my boys. Get it on!!! Kill those motherf***ing Habs!

Bang a Gong(Get It On) - T.Rex

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Black and Gold Never Quit

3:49 into the second period, and I'm hoping Christopher does not have to use that lonely playoff ticket he bought for tomorrow night.

Beat those goddamn Habs at home, boys!!

Go, go Black and Gold!!!!

Time to Go - Dropkick Murphys

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Go Let It Out

I had to call "uncle" on my schedule today. As much as I feel my presence at Town Meeting is helpful for my own learning as an elected public official, I am not a voting member. The articles up for discussion at this special were not involving the schools in a direct manner, and to be honest, I needed these hours to complete work for my actual job. The one that pays the bills. And makes me a crazy person. As it did tonight.

Part of me still feels like I've shirked my duty to the town somehow, but until I'm a registered town meeting member (harder than anticipated), this is one meeting I'm happy to watch via Norwood Public Access and text my member friends with questions.

Go Let It Out - Oasis

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Gonna Get Myself Connected

So, Friday morning I woke up to no internet connection. After completing all the typical trouble shooting activities, I called my internet provider and determined that my router had finally died. However, I have internet service that has a proprietary router (coaxial connection), so I couldn't just go out and buy a new one. They told me they were shipping me a new router, and that it would be here by Tuesday.

TUESDAY?!?!?

Well, fortunately, it arrived well ahead of schedule. However, having already prepared myself mentally for a weekend of only being connected to the world wide web via my phone, I chose to continue to live my life with just that connection, and wait for a time that was convenient and quiet to re-wire my life. So, that's the reason for my absence.

I did think of songs of the day, which I have posted as make-up songs below this post. Enjoy them, and I hope you enjoyed your weekend. My vacation is over, and it's back to the grind tomorrow. Sigh... not ready.

Connected - Stereo-MC's

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Song For Saturday, April 23

One of many Lynyrd Skynyrd songs played today, as I drove around the track at Loudon, NH, Christopher beaming at the wheel.

Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd

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If You Strip Away The Myth From The Man...

Makeup song from Friday, April 22.

Song for today. Well, song number one for today. An enduring, slightly odd family tradition, watching this movie.

Heaven On Their Minds - Jesus Christ Superstar

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Won't You Lay Me Down In The Tall Grass And Let Me Do My Stuff?

One of the music blogs I read regularly has been on a Lindsey Buckingham kick this week. Lindsey, in my opinion, doesn't get nearly enough credit in the larger rock world as he should. A gifted, emotive and dramatic songwriter, he penned some classics from the 70s that formed the way I experience music. I, and so many of my contemporaries, whether they admit it or not. "Rumors" consistently makes my Top Ten Desert Island Records.

I could listen to this album forever. It brings me joy.

Second Hand News - Fleetwood Mac

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"Maybe these ruby shoes are a little cumbersome for you..."

No real reason, other than a totally random, and favorite song that happens to be 4:20.

It's vacation. I'm procrastinating, reading, shopping, not working (much), spending time with the man. Reconnecting with some of my hidden iTunes gems.

A Martyr For My Love For You - The White Stripes

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And You're Shining, Like The Brightest Star

Just in the mood for this tune today.

"A transmission on the midnight radio..."

Midnight Radio - Hedwig and the Angry Inch

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Every Street Light Reveals A Picture In A Verse

Several purposes to this song:
1. Make-up song from Saturday.
2. Interesting theme stolen from Michele's tumblr, a random song that is 4:18 minutes long.
3. One of my favorite R.E.M. albums of all time. There are few pop songs as stunning as this one, and filled with such nostalgia, and quiet joy. I simply adore it.

It's vacation week. I am trying to recharge and renew myself, and prepare for what will be a tumultuous end to my year. I deserve a quiet night, too.

Nightswimming - R.E.M.

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You Know Just Where I Keep My Better Side

This cover is almost painful to listen to, it so emotional and bare. She is amazing to me, and I cannot wait to take Christopher to her show on July 28.

Dimming of the Day - Alison Krauss and Union Station

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Codeine

I know, I owe some songs... I've been preoccupied this weekend. Enjoy Jason while I get my head together and come back to the world ;)

Codeine - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

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Third Verse, Different From the First

I'm not talking about my colossally crappy week tonight. Instead, I'm going to talk about how I remembered where I was the afternoon I heard Joey had passed, and how I predicted it.

WBCN lunchtime 80s hour. I was driving to the center of town; I don't know why I was home this afternoon. Maybe it was Saturday, but I was all excited to hear "I Wanna Be Sedated" on the radio. Then, "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker", which, two in a row, made me nervous. Then, on the third song, "Blitzkrieg Bop", I knew something was terribly wrong.

And as the DJ came on air after the third song, and announced the sad passing of Joey, from lymphoma of all things, I remember shouting no, no, no. Joey's supposed to die in some weird overdose scenario with Iggy Pop and a goat, not something as ORDINARY and NOT PUNK ROCK as lymphoma. Dammit, I hate finding out my idols are human...

So, in Joey's honor. Ten years gone. We miss that slur, old friend.

Judy Is A Punk - The Ramones

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A Simple Round of Conversation

I know, another Foo Fighters song, but the more I listen to this album, the more I dig it. Plus, Dave Grohl is the rock and roll phoenix, rising from the ashes of Nirvana to become modern rock's triple threat--drummer, guitarist, leading man. It's all good.

This album is tight; probably their best effort in years. I see this one being in heavy rotation for a while. Dave and the Foo do that rock hook thing so well; the riffs hold on and don't let go. Plus, you know, homage to Bob...can't beat that with a stick.

Arlandria - The Foo Fighters

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Horseshoes and Handgrenades

Sounds like the tenor of my school committee meeting tonight.

I am weary. There is so much going on right now. Worn out, and anxiously awaiting vacation.

Carry on...

Horseshoes and Handgrenades - Green Day

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Where Do You Go When No One's Following You?

Feeling really overwhelmed right now with all the work I have this week. I need to make it through to Saturday night.

Taught Monday night, came home and did homework for class. Yoga tonight, and now more homework. Friends from class are calling me for help, and I haven't even started the assignment. Tomorrow is bus duty, then dinner with the student government representatives and what is likely a long school committee meeting. Thursday night, my own class. Then Friday and Saturday, teaching weekend one of my other graduate class. How the hell did I get into this??

I'll make it. But I know I'm not 100% with any of these things, and that scares me. Keep breathing, though.

Musical interlude. The Foo Fighters and Bob Mould. Happy goodness to help me keep on keeping on :)

Dear Rosemary - The Foo Fighters

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I Feel That Ice Is Slowly Melting

So, today was the first day this spring the temperature reached above 70 degrees. I wish I had been outside for more of it, but my drive home was certainly wonderful.

I am exhausted tonight. I have a pile of work to do for my graduate program; I should do some work for MCAS math groupings so that my staff can work on them tomorrow while I'm at YET ANOTHER highly annoying administration meeting, and I can barely keep my eyes open as I type this. And this week is NON-STOP. Right up through Saturday night, where I'm having game night again. Meetings, teaching, class, yoga. So much going on.

But, it was warm today, and I was paid an interesting compliment by someone I didn't expect it from, and it was affirmed by two colleagues, which I found as interesting as the compliment itself. So, it wasn't all bad. But I really could fall asleep right this moment. Perhaps this supremely mellow song isn't where I need to go tonight... :)

Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles

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Trying to Evolve

Yesterday ran a gamut of emotions and interchanges between Christopher and I; joyous, annoyed, uncomfortable, sentimental, genuine caring and concern. And, as we talked about this on the trek home from Boston, I think this is how this relationship is going to be. We challenge each other in really important and wonderful ways. And when two very independent people, who are used to making their own way of it, come together in a partnership, there are going to be growing pains and sticky moments when one or the other asserts his/her independence.

Yesterday, it was him. And, it stung me initially, and I retreated into my old way of cold silence. But, he wouldn't let me brood, and in his typical gentle way, he helped me talk it out, and we found the middle ground. And then he later laughed as he said to me, "I'll bet you didn't think the first time we did this it would be ME asserting my independence, did you?" Oh, well, hell no ;)

But it's all good, and his willingness to communicate when things are happening, and bring it all up front and hash it out when it needs to be is really unbelievably good for me. For both of us, really, but specifically me. I have long made mountains out of molehills when glitches have come up in relationships, and allowed them to become bigger than they really were, because I've long had partners who were happy to not have to go toe-to-toe with me in a disagreement, or wait out my long struggle to process a situation and come to a solution. As Christopher noted, I don't like these uncomfortable decisions, but I attack them head-on and really wrestle with them. And he's completely correct in that regard; it takes me forever, with a fair amount of flapping and whining and stony silence, but I get there. What's different now is that I'm processing it all with someone who's willing, and not afraid, to wait it out and let me get there. Waiting (relatively) patiently for me as I try to evolve.

Evolve - Ani DiFranco

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Signed, Sealed, Delivered

...I'm yours.

It just keeps getting better.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder

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Aww, Boston, You're My Home

Ok, so, the beginning of this season has been an epic shit show. But, it is baseball season, and baseball season is part of the soundtrack to my life as well. Whether it's on tv in the background while I do other things, or I'm watching a game in a bar, or, the rare occasion (less rare this year, thank you love) I'm in the Cathedral of Boston ;), baseball is part of the fabric around here, and I'm thrilled. Because now it's REALLY spring. Now summer is just around the corner. Days are longer, twilights linger, the beautiful sound of a bat hitting a ball in the distance makes me warm inside.

So, Sox, seriously, win one already because the Nation is about to commit hari-kari on Yawkey Way. But, I'm still psyched you're back.

Dirty Water - The Standells

PS: This? Brilliant. H/T to Christopher.

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A Galway Interlude

Gerry Fahy, originally uploaded by crau1971.

The second to last day we were in Galway, we had a private concert with the Fahy family, some of the original musicians for Riverdance, and current performers for Trad on the Prom. After the concert, I bought Gerard's album. He plays the ilen pipes, and he was enchanting.

I'm tired; it's been a long week, so I'm recalling a lovely calm afternoon with some traditional music. It's nice to not be "going" right now.

Lagan Love - Gerard Fahy

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1000 Texts

Two-fer today, as I was too busy texting to write last night :)

First song is Christopher's pick; I asked him to think of a song for the soundtrack. After many afternoons and evenings on my couch, learning about one another, he found this song to be a good match.

This - Lisa Loeb (click the title)

As for me, sticking with the chick singers, Ani has come to mind frequently these days. She, and the Beatles. For many years, Ani's albums have aligned with what's been going on in my life, too. Her last one, not so much, but I gave it a quick run-through this afternoon, specifically to find this song. She wrote it for Mike, the father of her baby, now her husband, and I always loved it, because she sings of two imperfect people making their way together along with, sometimes in spite of, their imperfections and idiosyncracies, and finding love. So, suddenly, Ani fits again. It's all good, and all in front of us.

Way Tight - Ani DiFranco

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No Maybe About It

So, into every life, and every relationship, a little weirdness will fall. A little bump on whatever road it is you're traveling. It isn't so much the bump, as how you right it afterwards.

This song played in my head all day as I thought about why this little bump occurred, and I realized, this song says it perfectly. Maybe, I'm amazed... fill in whichever lyric you want at the end of that. They all fit.

(This post is also penance for not remembering Paul played bass for a stupid facebook meme) ;)

Maybe I'm Amazed - Paul McCartney

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Such A Cozy Room

I spent the afternoon with my family this afternoon, at my sister Colleen's house. Among some of the less traditional activities was shooting at cans and bottles in the side yard (Dad DID buy the boys Red Rider bb guns for Christmas), but it was still a lovely afternoon. Sunny, cool, we spent a good portion of the time outside, playing basketball, supervising Grace on the swings or at her kitchen set, watching the boys wrestle (once the guns were away, of course).

I put this song on Colleen and Darrin's wedding playlist because it reminded me of the home they are creating together. It still fits, more so with each passing day.

Our House - Crosby, Stills, and Nash

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I Didn't Think I'd Find You Perfect In So Many Ways

For Janet-Marie and Rick, and Kristian and Rob, couples I celebrated today. No one is perfect, this is for certain, but they have managed to find each other and carve out happiness and a life together, and that is something beautiful. It's all in front of them, and I wish them love :)

I've Been Waiting - Matthew Sweet

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Modern Girl

The descent into dischordant noise is what makes this song so joyous.

I played hooky today, in order to get work done. Sad when I have to call out from work to actually accomplish anything. Been fairly productive; I have a long night ahead of me. I keep having these regular reminders of having to entertain myself for an evening, a weekend, and it's a really good thing. Because make no mistake, I'm swooning, but still being required to make own fun and my own schedule will keep this going strong.

Happy makes me a modern girl...

Modern Girl - Sleater-Kinney

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