Parts-n-Pieces

I'm in love all over again....

In prepping for today's class (embedding videos into a blog post then writing about the argument in that video), I stumbled upon this little gem . . . of course the students will find a video clip about the documentary, The Corporation, but me? Well, I get to fall in love all over again.

He's still hot today, but in 1978? OMG.

Sometimes, there's nothing better ...

...than the sound of really loud guitars.

Sunday Morning Writing Music

As I start this day of writing (Day #10), I listen to the iPod docked on the stereo.  I'm stuck in a 1990s time warp.  Help me.  Please.

• Sinead O'Connor, "Nothing Compares to You"
• Whitney Houston, "I Will Always Love You"
• R.E.M., "Losing My Religion"
• MatchBox 20, "3 AM"
• Dr. Dre, "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang"
• U2, "One"
• TLC, "Waterfalls"
• MCHammer, "You Can't Touch This"
• Mariah Carey, "Visions of Love"
• Nirvana, "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
• Mack Daddy, "Sir Mix A Lot"

Is there anybody alive out there?

Sometimes, at 3:00 in the morning, there is nothing better than the sound of really loud guitars.  "I just want to hear your rhythm."

A New Music Feature at PnP (week #1)

ETA:  I've fiddled with the box.net file, so to get it to work, you might need to refresh your browser.

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I'm taking a cue from a blogger I've never met, but she's a friend of another blogger I've never met (but  like this guy quite a bit).  Music sharing.  I don't know how long I'll keep this going, but for a while I will share some of my music with you because they share their music with me.   Each week (or so), I'll upload about 12 songs that, at least for that week, have some significance for me.  If you like these songs, have at 'em.  If not, just move right along.   But in the spirit of sharing files with friends, files won't be available more than one week.  If you want them, get them now.

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Get your own Box.net widget and share anywhere!

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This week the AP Reading in Daytona Beach was exhausting, I received a disappointing decision concerning my job, and more and more and more dissertation work.   So, songs that are uplifting to me.  The lyrics are good in these songs, but what draws me in is usually the piano or the instrumentation.  The lone exception is the Alicia Keyes song.  I met someone this week who could be Keyes' sister . . . looks like her, talks like her, mannerisms like her.  So there you go.

It's the MUSIC meme

When I have nothing else to do, I do memes.  This one is fun, however.  Identify the following songs by the first line of those songs.  Some are fairly obvious, some are not.   And if you want to play along, instructions follow the list.  If you know the answers, post them in comments. Blame Scrivener.

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1. Look out your window, that grass ain't green ("Inside Out," Traveling Wilburys)

2. Daniel's by the jonny pump ("Chelsea Avenue," Patti Scialfa)

3. Seaside whenever you stroll along with me ("Seaside Rendezvous," Queen)

4. There is no good reason I should have to be so alone ("Only One," Dixie Chicks)

5. Half a mile from the county fair and the rain kept pourin down ("And It Stoned Me," Van Morrison)

6. She come around here about midnight ("Gloria," Van Morrison)

7. Johnny little rocket star flashing the label's credit card ("One More Song the Radio Won't Like," Kathleen Edwards)

8. A police car and a screaming siren pneumatic drill and ripped up concrete ("That's Entertainment," The Jam)

9. I see your bags all packed and you’re ready to go ("You're My Girl [I Don't Want to Discuss It]" Southside Johnny)

10. Hold on, Hold on to yourself ("Hold on," Sarah McLaughlin)

11. I get up, and nothin' gets me down ("Jump," Van Halen)

12. Lookin' out 'cross this town kinda makes me wonder ("Gunslinger," John Fogerty)

13. Try to understand before you judge ("Take it Inside," Southside Johnny)

14. If I should stay I would only be in your way ("I Will Always Love You," Whitney Houston)

15. As the snow flies on a cold and gray chicago mornin ("In the Ghetto, Elvis Presley)

16. Oh oh my goodness I didn't know I was here, do you know my name? ("Piano & I," Alicia Keys)

17. Amidst the sorrows of the way, Lord Jesus, teach my soul to pray ("Hiding Place," Jars of Clay)

18. I saw you with your new friends, you wear them so well ("Occasionally," Melissa Ethridge)

19. This land today shall draw its last breath and take into its ancient depths ("Human Wheels," Mellencamp)

20. People trying to tear us apart trying to rip out my heart ("People Talkin'," Lucinda Williams)

21. The angel rides with hunchbacked children, poison oozing from his engine ("The Angel," Bruce Springsteen)

22. Is it getting better or do you feel the same ("One," U2)

23. Three hits to the heart son and it’s poetry in motion ("Three Hits," Indigo Girls)

24. Going back to the memories, reminiscing 'bout you and me ("Cry Baby Cry," Santana)

25. George, why is it you always get to sit in the shade while I have to stand in the sun? ("Sunday in the Park with George," Original Cast Soundtrack)

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Step 1: Put your MP3 player or whatever on random.

Step 2: Post the first line from the first 25 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing the song.

Step 3: Post and let everyone you know guess what song and artist the lines come from.

Step 4: Strike through when someone gets them right

Step 5: Looking them up on Google or any other search engine is CHEATING.

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Ok, you guys were good!  I've added in the ones you were unable to identify, and they are labeled in blue.

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Wistful Recollections (after Springsteen show)

i'll write more fully tomorrow -- when I have access to a full keyboard and not the keypad of my phone-- but I'm too wired to sleep.

I want to turn up the music loud... loud... and I want to dance... dance to the music... dance with abandon... dance without ceasing... not caring what others might think... but I want to lose myself in the rhythm, in the potential, the passion of the music.

I want to drive on the open road late at night, cool wind and bright stars surrounding me ... driving to a new place, to a new phase of life... music in the background, music as the score of the new adventure.

God, how I miss that life.... how I miss not caring about the traditional structure, others' expectations... how I miss feeling that freedom, that abandon, the physical sensations and reactions.

I have found passions and purpose elsewhere, but I miss the old ones. Tonight. Tonight I miss the old ones.

I'm Looking for Elvis (looking for some inspiration)

If I had the time or energy to write, I'd be writing about a number of things that are important.

• I'd write about anarchy and I'd try to answer the question, "when did college students stop wanting to challenge 'the man'"?  So many seem so apathetic.  I don't mean that as a criticism.  It's just a statement.

• I'd write about New Media and underprepared writers.  I have two students this semester in a sophomore comp class who took the ICW course with me a few years ago, and as a class we are about to embark on documentary film making (with Windows Movie Maker).  They told me today how excited they are to do the work . . . man, they rock (my soul) . . . . I just love seeing them mature and change over a few years' time . . . and to be excited about writing and creating.

• I'd write about my need to find Guy Fawks masks when in New Orleans next week.  The students in my graphic novel seminars asked for them since we just finished reading V for Vendetta.  I'm certain I can find something to bring them. . . . some trinket, a mask trinket.

• I'd write about the Asian student I had in the same ICW class two years ago who came to see me today to tell me how her car caught on fire.  Apparently, someone tried to break into the car next to hers and to cover that crime, this person set that car on fire.   Since her car was parked next to the torched car, her car caught fire, too.  Fire by association.  What do you say to that?  "Gee, I'm so sorry" doesn't seem quite enough.   She had insurance and will get a good amount of money for her car, but still.

• I'd write about all the people in this profession who are having babies . . . which is wonderful.  I love babies.  But it bums me out in a whole bunch of different ways that my baby has committed to a graduate school and and will be moving out of state this summer.  (Yes. I'm that old.  I don't admit it. I don't act it.  I don't think I look it.  But still.  I am.  And that's a drag, too.)

• I'd write about how my path through graduate school has been, in one way, really great.  I learned a lot from some pretty amazing people.  On the other, it's been the suckiest experience one might have in grad school.  The dept. fell apart.  Everyone I studied under left the institution.  I had to reform a committee a couple of times.  I've worked full time the entire time I've been in a Ph.D. program.  I've watched dozens of people enter and leave programs while I have felt stuck, stymied.  Everything is fine now.  Now.  I know it's not a race to see who finishes first their degrees first, but still.   

• I'd write about the song that's been playing on the iPod dock the last hour (over and over and over), as it about hits the mood tonight:

I'm just looking for some inspiration
I'm looking for something to rock my soul
I'm looking for a brand new destination
I'm looking for Elvis down a Memphis road
I'm looking for Elvis

"I'm Looking for Elvis," Patti Scialfa (lyrics below the jump)

Good Things, Random Things, and some Music to Not Travel By

It's a mixed bag, good things and random bullets.  You get to decide:

• Having a Roadside Assistance Plan on my cell phone.  It's expensive until I need it.
• The tow truck driver, Robert, only had about three teeth and a phlegm-filled cough.
• He told me a bizarre story-- after he saw my camera-- about how he took photos of the Challenger explosion and donated those pics to NASA . . . he also had photos of the tornado that hit downtown Fort Worth about 7 years ago, but he had to move from his home "very quickly," and his landlord destroyed them.
• Income tax refund arrived on Friday.  In time to buy a new set of tires and an intense auto detail.  Whohoo!
• My car looks almost new, and the leather is so shiny and soft.
• Youth soccer begins this weekend:  I referee four games Saturday and two on Sunday.  I'm hoping my knee will be OK ... I'm hoping even more than there are new parents out there this season.
• I should have won an Oscar.  Really.  My acting skills are (cough) amazing.
• My new cell phone allowed me to answer email this morning as I waited for the tow truck.  I'm such a multitasker.
• I edited a dissertation chapter at the car wash . . . and took a boatload of pictures as I thought about Springsteen's song about working in a car wash.  I don't know if my multitasking during this time produced effective edits to the chapter, though. 
• I did get rockin' pics of dogs, dogs at the car wash.  Oh, and the white stretch limo.   I guess somebody has to wash the limos.  Might as well be the Cityview car wash . . . they do have framed pictures of Miss Americas on the walls.
• Bought ticket for New Orleans.  Can't wait .... the mother ships calls only once a year.
• Looking forward to meeting lots of über cool folks while there....
• Looking forward to a photo excursion..., er, sessions that concern photography in NO.  Yea, that's it.

Stranded on the Side of the Road Music:

• "As Long as I Can Be With You," Patti Scialfa
• "She," Elvis Costello
• "While We Wait," Jack Johnson
• "It's Not," Aimee Mann
• "Dance Without Sleeping," Melissa Ethridge
• "Dirty World," The Traveling Wilburys
• "I've Got a Feeling," The Beatles
• "The March of the Black Queen," Queen
• "Right Hand Man," Joan Osborne
• "Walking Through Midnight," Southside Johnny
• "Looking for Elvis," Patti Scialfa

What?  I waited for two hours....

• "To Try for the Sun," Lindsay Buckingham
• "Radio Nowhere," Springsteen
• "Ships Don't Disappear in the Night," 10cc
• "Turn off the Lights," Teddy Pendergrast
• "Embraceable You," Charlie Parker
• "Between a Laugh and a Tear," John Mellencamp
• "Truth," Amos Lee
• "Tupelo Honey," Van Morrison
• "Exhuming McCarthy," R.E.M.
• "Where Did My Baby Go?" John Legend
• "Smooth," Santana

Tomorrow, back to something sort of remotely academic.  And some pics.  Lots of pics.

Welcome Tom Jones Int'l Visitors!

Since I posted a reflection or two (and a couple of pictures) about the Tom Jones show in Oklahoma last week, this blog has had an influx of visitors from Tom Jones International.  Welcome, everyone!  To be clear, I did not write a "review" of the show, nor was I a fan going into the show, and yes, I did get the lyrics of the song incorrect.  Oh, well.  I did, however, enjoy myself.  Thanks for dropping by, reading the post, and admiring the pics.  Really.  Thanks.

"Truth be told, I just want to git me some...."

These words were sung by Tom Jones last night in Oklahoma:  "Truth be told, I just want to git me some...."(*)  Yes.  That's what he said.  And that's what he meant.  Uh huh.  Women were screaming, and swooning, and singing along.  The song goes on (paraphrased), "I don't want to be your boyfriend, I don't want to spend the night . . . . truth be told, I just want to git me some."  Uh huh.  Women threw their panties.  Yes, they threw their panties at a 67-year old man.  But then, they were in their 60s, too.

Part of me was creeped out.  Part of me was intrigued.

While I expected to snicker at seeing Tom Jones in person, I was quite impressed that a 67-year old man could still sing as he does.  The moves?  Well, not quite as smooth, but those can be ignored.  (Note to Tom:  moonwalking and kicking out in front of yourself like Michael Jackson does?  Not a good look.  Stick to singing.)

My mother was a huge Tom Jones fan in the 1960s.  Huge.  She would walk around the house singing "What's new pussycat? Whoa whoa whoooooo."  However, while I wasn't close enough to the stage last night to verify, there is a rumor of a sock collection (collection:  those rolled up socks have to be changed out, no?) -- uh, huh, yea -- and rumors still of insured chest hair, but truth be told:  it was a fun night.  Kitschy.  And fun.

(*) Thanks to the quick thinking and reading of Tom Jones fans (from Tom Jones Int'l), I realized I had the lyrics written down incorrectly.  I've made that change.  Thanks for letting me know.

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Dissertating Top 20 (Sunday night)

1. "Walking in Memphis," Marc Cohen
2. "Radio Nowhere," Bruce Springsteen
3. "Night Train," Amos Lee
4. "Answer (Live"),--Sarah McLaughlan
5. "Who Will Stop the Rain," -- John Fogerty
6. "Native Son," James Taylor
7. "Wild Nights," -- Van Morrison
8. "Blinded by the Light," Springsteen (massively cool version from Live in Dublin)
9. "Crazy Love," -- VanMorrison (with Ray Charles)
10. "Little Calcutta," Southside Johnny (Johnny Lyon)
11. "Peaceful World," John Mellencamp
12. "Mexico," -- James Taylor
13. "Run of the Mill," -- George Harrison
14. "Fruits of my Labor," Lucinda Williams
15. "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood," Neco Case
16. "Let Us Love and Sing," Jars of Clay
17. "Ladder," Joan Osbourne
18. "Wide Open Spaces," Dixie Chicks
19. "Tupelo Honey," -- Van Morrison
20. "Lullabye," -- Amos Lee

"You want it, you take it, you pay the price"

I lived by these words long before I knew the song existed.  The song-- "Prove it all Night"-- is my theme song.  Today and yesterday.  Tomorrow, too.....

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"Everybody's got a hunger, a hunger they can't resist,
There's so much that you want, you deserve much more than this,
But if dreams came true, oh, wouldn't that be nice,
But this ain't no dream we're living through tonight,
You want it, you take it, you pay the price."

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For your enjoyment (or mine), two clips of Springsteen performing "Prove it all Night."  The first is a video from the NYC shows a few years ago.  Note the dueling "yeahs" with Little Steven.  Rockin' awesome.

 

The second is a clip of the song's introduction that the band use to do back in the day . . . beautiful. Roy Bittan just rocks on the piano. Note Springsteen's words in the short commentary at the beginning of this clip as they are significant: "All day long you gotta prove it to your boss and all night long you gotta prove it to your wife, and on the weekends, you gotta prove it to your kids . . . it seems like the jokes on you, it never lets up."

And if you know me in real life (and maybe if you don't), you'll understand why these clips-- why this song-- is so important. I have made a decision. I must now pay the price. At least I can rock out while I do it.  And April 13th is not that far away.  It'll be my 20th show.

Move On ("Sunday in the Park with George")

After having lunch with a friend today, I was reminded of this song.  "Moving On" can be a very good thing.  The song is from Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George; the clip is from a Bernadette Peters' performance.

There is no "George" in this clip, but the song is still wonderful.   [Continue to read for lyrics.]

Music to Dissertate by #2

It's midnight, and I got nothing (not a single thing dissertation-related) done today.  So, music plans for Sunday . . . so I can get some work done (and I'll be stuck in some weird time warp when I do it):

1. "Wild Nights," Van Morrison
2. "Roll Me Away," Bob Seger
3. "I'll Fly Away," Jars of Clay
4. "I Missed the Point," Neko Case
5. "The Fever," Bruced Springsteen (Live in Dublin edition)
6. "Don't Hang Up," 10CC (I **love** this song)
7. "I Dig Love," George Harrison
8. "Queen of the Slipstream," Van Morrison
9. "Till I Hear it from You," Gin Blossoms
10. "Domino," Van Morrison
11. "Walking Through Midnight," Southside Johnny
12. "Abie Baby," Hair (Original Cast Soundtrack)
13. "Breath Away from Heaven," George Harrison
14. "Since U Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson
15. "Incident on 57th Street," Bruce Springsteen
16. "Welcome to the Occupation," R.E.M.
17. "Looking for Elvis," Patti Scialfa
18. "Shout Out Loud," Amos Lee (thanks, Chris, I'm digging this)
19. "Lost in Space," Aimee Mann
20. "Listening to Levon," Marc Cohn