As a cure for worrying, work is better than whiskey. | |
— Ralph Waldo Emerson | |
[Which (somehow) reminds me of the Willie Nelson lyrics: | |
“There’s an ol’ doctor who told me | |
That I better start slowin’ it down. | |
But there’s more old drunks | |
Than there are old doctor’s | |
So I guess I better have another round.” | |
From his song: “I Gotta Get Drunk” — kmab] | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2021 | Someone Should Tell Senator Joe Manchin |
One Of The Things We Need | |
2020 | Boxing Day 2020 |
Fractal Branches | |
Advice For Sons, Too | |
2019 | Almost Soulful Pleasure |
2018 | Cursive In The News |
2017 | Coffee Crunch |
2016 | Preparation |
2015 | Scarcely Asked |
2014 | They Resemble Us |
2013 | Both |
2012 | That’s Success! |
2011 | Losing At Dominoes |
2010 | 1,001 |
Posts Tagged ‘Lyrics’
Neat, Please
Posted in Humor, Lyrics, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Humor, I Gotta Get Drunk, Lyrics, Philosophy, Quotes, Willie Nelson on December 27, 2022| 2 Comments »
There Must Be Peace And Understanding
Posted in Included Video, Lyrics, Music and Concerts, Philosophy, Quotes, Song Lyrics And Videos By Others, Videos, tagged Elvis Presley, Favorite Lines, If I Can Dream -- music video, Included Video, Lyrics, Philosophy, Quotes, Vevo, YouTube on January 9, 2021| Leave a Comment »
If I Can Dream |
|
Favorite Line(s): | |
And while I can think, | |
While I can talk | |
While I can stand, | |
While I can walk | |
While I can dream, | |
Please let my dream | |
Come true, | |
Right now | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2022 | Looking For Treasure Troves |
2021 | True Originality |
There Must Be Peace And Understanding | |
2020 | #45: Lies And Hate-Speech Are Not Moral Leadership |
2019 | Be Brave |
2018 | What Else Matters? |
2017 | Slow Go |
2016 | A Tiny Ripple Of Hope |
2015 | Liberating Books |
2014 | Discover God |
2013 | Without Witness |
2012 | Nutritarian |
Every Second
Posted in Included Video, Lyrics, Music and Concerts, Philosophy, Quotes, Song Lyrics And Videos By Others, Videos, tagged I Lived -- music video, Included Video, Lyrics, One Republic, Philosophy, Quotes, Vevo, YouTube on November 2, 2020| Leave a Comment »
I Lived |
|
Favorite Line(s): | |
I owned every second that this world could give | |
I saw so many places | |
The things that I did | |
Yeah, with every broken bone | |
I swear I lived | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2021 | Maybe A Tiny Bit Wiser |
On The Other Side Of That Hill | |
2020 | Resistant Expectation |
Every Second | |
2019 | Two More Reasons Trump Is Such A Poor Leader |
2018 | Conservatives Have 20/20 Hindsight |
#Forever44 | |
2017 | Dodgers Choke Away World Series |
Firing Director Comey = Obstruction | |
2016 | Why Do Republicans Always Seem To Be Angry? |
2015 | All Things Being Equal |
2014 | Fearful Light |
2013 | Unexpectedly Knowledgeable |
2012 | Seems Obvious |
2011 | See The Specialist |
I’d Rather Live In HER World
Posted in Family History, Included Video, Lyrics, Philosophy, Quotes, Videos, tagged Gladys Knight & The Pips, Included Video, Lyrics, Mid-Night Train To Georgia -- music video, Philosophy, Quotes, YouTube on August 8, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Mid-Night Train To Georgia |
|
Favorite Lines: | |
I’d rather live in his world |
|
(live in his world) | |
Than live without him | |
in mine | |
(Her world is his, | |
his and hers alone) | |
[Why I agreed to move to England back in the 1990’s when my Hil got homesick. — kmab] | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2019 | And #IncompetentTrump Is A Failure At Both |
2018 | To Excel At Your Craft |
Day 12: Waiting | |
2017 | Like When You Can Order Others To Fight For You |
2016 | Holding Fast |
2015 | Alms Or Balms |
2014 | A Day At The Beach |
2013 | Pillows |
Steppin’ | |
2012 | Invincible Summer |
2011 | Being Objective |
2010 | First Things First… |
Northwest Passages – Intro | |
Northwest Passages – Day One | |
Northwest Passages – Poetry | |
Northwest Passages – Evening One | |
Northwest Passages – Morning Two | |
They Are All Good
Posted in Included Video, Lyrics, Philosophy, Quotes, Videos, tagged For The Good Times -- music video, Included Video, Kris Kristofferson, Lyrics, Philosophy, Quotes, Ray Price, Vevo, YouTube on August 3, 2020| Leave a Comment »
For The Good Times |
|
Favorite Lines: | |
Hear the whisper | |
Of the rain drops | |
Blowing soft | |
Against the window | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2019 | Another Thought On #45’s Poor Education |
2018 | As Long As You Survive Each Experience |
WordPress to Facebook Test… | |
Day 7: Oh, Yeah! | |
2017 | A Good Habit |
2016 | The Minds Of Trumpism |
2015 | Expressing Nonsense |
2014 | A Real Fight |
2013 | Unravelling |
2012 | I Resolve |
2011 | Practice, Practice, Practice |
2009 | Phoenix Trip (July ’09) |
He Broke Even
Posted in Included Video, Lyrics, Philosophy, Quotes, Videos, tagged Included Video, Kenneth Ray Rogers, Kenny Rogers, Lyrics, Philosophy, Quotes, R.I.P., The Gambler on March 21, 2020| 2 Comments »
R.I.P.: Kenny Rogers | |
Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) | |
Some versions of a very few songs are just “special”. They evoke in the listener, a memory of a time, a place, a smell, or (sometimes) of a lost love. Kenny Rogers’ version of “The Gambler” was bit of all of the above for me. I have no idea how many times I’ve heard or absently hummed along to this song (or many of his other hits). He certainly dealt me more than one “ace”. I hope he felt he left the table a winner… | |
“And when he finished speakin’ | |
He turned back toward the window | |
Crushed out his cigarette | |
And faded off to sleep | |
And somewhere in the darkness | |
The gambler he broke even | |
But in his final words | |
I found an ace that I could keep.“ | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2019 | The Right Anger |
Another P&P Review | |
2018 | Does Fatalism Equal Mental Health? |
2017 | Choice |
2016 | Growing Worlds |
2015 | Change The Tide |
Martyr, n. | |
2014 | You, Too! |
2013 | Bitter Stand |
2012 | Lost For Words |
2011 | On Market Reactions… |
Passed Too Swiftly
Posted in Included Video, Lyrics, Poetry, Videos, tagged Bohemian Rhapsody, Brian May, Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, Lyrics, Music Videos, Poetry, Queen, Roger Taylor, These Are The Days Of Our Lives, These Are the Days of Our Lives -- song lyrics, We Are The Champions, We Will Rock You, YouTube on November 12, 2018| 2 Comments »
There is a recently released biopic of Freddie Mercury out now, which means there are numerous social media links to the music of Queen. Now, there is (IMHO) little doubt Queen was one of the most significant rock bands of the 1970’s – 80’s. Everyone has heard of “Bohemian Rhapsody“, “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions“, but I’ve recently been listening to one of the bands last releases: “These Are the Days of Our Lives” – over and over again. I hope you enjoy the video (and the lyrics below) as much I do… | ||
These Are the Days of Our Lives | ||
Sometimes I get to feelin’ | ||
I was back in the old days, | ||
long ago | ||
When we were kids, | ||
when we were young | ||
Things seemed so perfect, | ||
you know? | ||
The days were endless, we were crazy, we were young | ||
The sun was always shinin’, | ||
we just lived for fun | ||
Sometimes it seems like lately, | ||
I just don’t know | ||
The rest of my life’s been, | ||
just a show | ||
Those are the days | ||
of our lives | ||
The bad things in life | ||
were so few | ||
Those days are all gone now but | ||
one thing is true | ||
When I look | ||
and I find | ||
I still love you. | ||
You can’t turn back the clock, | ||
you can’t turn back the tide | ||
Ain’t that a shame? | ||
Ooh, I’d like to go back one time | ||
on a roller coaster ride | ||
When life was just a game | ||
No use in sitting and thinkin’ on what you did | ||
When you can lay back and enjoy it through your kids | ||
Sometimes it seems like lately, | ||
I just don’t know | ||
Better sit back and go, | ||
with the flow | ||
These are the days | ||
of our lives | ||
They’ve flown in the swiftness of time | ||
These days are all gone now but | ||
some things remain | ||
When I look | ||
and I find, | ||
no change | ||
Those were the days of our lives, | ||
yeah | ||
The bad things in life | ||
were so few | ||
Those days are all gone now but | ||
one thing’s still true | ||
When I look | ||
and I find, | ||
I still love you | ||
I still love you | ||
Performed by: Queen | ||
Written by: Brian May, Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor | ||
. | ||
On This Day In: | ||
2021 | Likely To Be Subtle | |
My Temp’s Pretty High | ||
Scratching A Persistent Itch | ||
2020 | A Word Of Assurance They Are Not Alone | |
Is #45 Still Crying? | ||
2019 | It’s Obvious | |
2018 | Passed Too Swiftly | |
2017 | On Our Wall (Part 1) | |
2016 | Or The Ripples From A Good Life | |
2015 | Titles And Reputations | |
2014 | Unfolding | |
2013 | Again | |
2012 | Needs | |
Damned | ||
2011 | Potter & Prejudice | |
Blink, Blink | ||
Ways
Posted in Lyrics, Poetry, Videos, tagged Buddy Holly, Lyrics, Music Videos, My Poems Page, Norman Petty, True Love Ways - song lyrics, Videos on July 20, 2016| Leave a Comment »
True Love Ways |
|
Just you know why | |
Why you and I | |
Will bye and bye | |
Know true love ways | |
Sometimes we’ll sigh | |
Sometimes we’ll cry | |
And we’ll know why | |
Just you and I | |
Know true love ways | |
Throughout the days | |
Our true love ways | |
Will bring us joys to share | |
With those who really care | |
Sometimes we’ll sigh | |
Sometimes we’ll cry | |
And we’ll know why | |
Just you and I | |
Know true love ways | |
Throughout the days | |
Our true love ways | |
Will bring us joys to share | |
With those who really care | |
Sometimes we’ll sigh | |
Sometimes we’ll cry | |
And we’ll know why | |
Just you and I | |
Know true love ways | |
Songwriters: Buddy Holly and Norman Petty | |
Performed by: Buddy Holly | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2015 | Be Happy, Too |
2014 | At Least Smile |
2013 | Comfortably Bound |
2012 | Certainty |
Thinking About Fathers | |
2011 | And In Every Level Of Media |
Love Is Just A State Of Mind
Posted in Lyrics, Philosophy, Poetry, Videos, tagged Jimmie Rodgers, Lyrics, Music Videos, Philosophy, Poems, Poetry, Rod McKuen, The World I Used To Know - song lyrics, YouTube.com on January 30, 2016| Leave a Comment »
The following is a song I recently stumbled upon on YouTube.com. It’s not one I remember, so obviously it never changed my life, but I like it so much I’ve added it to the lyrics on my “poems” page. Enjoy the song, then read the lyrics… | ||
The world I used to know… | ||
Some day some old | ||
familiar rain | ||
Will come along | ||
and know my name. | ||
And then my shelter | ||
will be gone | ||
And I’ll have to | ||
move along. | ||
But ’till I do | ||
I’ll stay awhile | ||
And track the | ||
hidden country | ||
of your smile. | ||
Some day the man | ||
I used to be | ||
Will come along | ||
and call on me. | ||
And then because I’m | ||
just a man, | ||
You’ll find my feet | ||
are made of sand. | ||
But ’till that time | ||
I’ll tell you lies | ||
And chart the | ||
hidden bound’ries | ||
of your eyes. | ||
Some day the world | ||
I used to know | ||
Will come along | ||
and bid me go. | ||
Then I’ll be leaving | ||
you behind | ||
For love is just | ||
a state of mind. | ||
But ’till that day | ||
I’ll be your man | ||
And love away | ||
your troubles | ||
if I can. | ||
But ’till that day | ||
I’ll be your man | ||
And love away | ||
your troubles | ||
if I can. | ||
In the world | ||
I used to know | ||
Written by: Rod McKuen | ||
Performed by: Jimmie Rodgers | ||
. | ||
On This Day In: | ||
2022 | There Is No Fate But What You Make | |
2021 | The Silent Word | |
Touched My Hand | ||
2020 | Releasing Their Fears | |
2019 | 17 Days Until The Next Government Shutdown | |
2018 | Disciplined Models | |
2017 | We Cannot Afford Enemies | |
2016 | Love Is Just A State Of Mind | |
2015 | Waiting? | |
2014 | Big C, Little B (II) | |
Where God Has Not | ||
2013 | Chasing His Dragon | |
Shaped And Molded | ||
2012 | Believe In Yourself | |
2011 | Cultural Equivalence | |
Why Not? | ||
Books About Books | ||
The Basis For Adult Continuing Education | ||
Additions
Posted in Humor, Lyrics, Movies, Poetry, tagged Groucho Marx, Humor, I Am A Rock, I Hope You Dance, I'm A Believer, Like A Rock, Like a Rolling Stone, Lydia - The Tattooed Lady - song lyrics, Lyrics, People Got To Be Free - song lyrics, Poems, She's Gone, The Young Rascals on December 21, 2013| 2 Comments »
Today I’ve added two song lyrics to my Poems page. I’ve also updated six more of the ones already on the page to include the YouTube videos. | |
The additions are: “Lydia – The Tattooed Lady” and “People Got To Be Free“. The performances are by Groucho Marx, and The Young Rascals, respectively. | |
Both of these songs are songs which just popped into my head when I woke up and stuck there for the rest of the day. Both are from my earlier years – the first (“Lydia“) before I understood the “implications” of being a female in the circus and “tattooed”. While humorously presented, it has a quite serious side. | |
The second song is from one of my all time favorite groups as an early youth: “The Young Rascals“, later shortened to just “The Rascals“. These guys had a string of hits, and this is one of my favorites. I’m sure there will be more to come… | |
My favorite lines are: | |
“Ask me my opinion, | |
My opinion will be | |
It’s a natural situation | |
For a man to be free“ | |
The six updates are: | |
I Am A Rock | |
Like A Rock | |
I Hope You Dance | |
She’s Gone | |
Like A Rolling Stone | |
I’m A Believer | |
If you don’t know these songs or haven’t read the lyrics lately, you owe it to yourself to check them out. Then you can drop down to the bottom of the page to enjoy the performance. | |
As always, read the lyrics, enjoy the performances, then go support these artists or the artists of your choice. Participate in supporting the Arts locally! Keep Art alive in your community! | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2021 | Being Constantly Great |
Hopeful Realization | |
2020 | Sapping Joy |
Blew Out My Flip-Flop | |
Really Wheelie | |
2019 | Word Up |
2018 | But Much Is Worth Learning |
2017 | Mr. President, About Global Warming |
2016 | Starting To Stumble |
2015 | Begin Combat |
I Am A Runner | |
2014 | Just Dig ‘N It, Why? |
2013 | Additions |
The Object Of Instruction | |
2012 | Telling Her |
2011 | On Torture |
R.I.P. – Tom Laughlin
Posted in Lyrics, Movies, Philosophy, Places, tagged Aikido, Billy Jack, Death Wish, Die Hard, Hapkido, John McClane, John Rambo, Judo, Kung Fu TV Series, Kwai Chang Caine, Lyrics, Martial Arts, Movies, One Tin Soldier (The Legend of Billy Jack) - song lyrics, Paul Kersey, Philosophy, Places, Poems, R.I.P., Rambo, Saudi Arabia, Steven Seagal, Thomas Robert "Tom" Laughlin, Tom Laughlin on December 16, 2013| 2 Comments »
Thomas Robert “Tom” Laughlin (August 10, 1931 – December 12, 2013) | |
Before Steven Seagal (all three word title movies), before John Rambo (“Rambo” series), before John McClane (“Die Hard” series), before Paul Kersey (“Death Wish” series), before Kwai Chang Caine (“Kung Fu” TV series) – there was Billy Jack in “Born Losers” (1967). Tom Laughlin brought to the big screen the start of the modern vigilante movie genre with the character of Billy Jack. It seems strange how a little martial arts on the big screen, mixed with some social awareness and righteous indignation can affect people’s lives. | |
As a twelve year old kid I remember thinking, “Wow, I’ve got to learn how to do that!” What I was looking at was Hapkido – a Korean form of Karate (open hand fighting). Ten years later, I found a Hapkido dojo in Germany and studied it for almost a year during my off hours (I was in the Army). That was set aside once I returned to civilian life… Until I found Judo, while I was in college. I took that for a semester, too. When I moved to England in the ’90’s, a friend from work (who was a black belt in judo) said he’d love to get me on a mat and asked if I was interested in going to a dojo to learn Aikido. My friend (Dave) and I found a local dojo and began our lessons. We continued on with that for about two years. It was great having someone who was a lifelong martial artist as a co-student because he could explain things in much greater detail than I could ever have gotten (except in one-on-one personal lessons). For his side, he got someone who was bigger and heavier who he could throw around for a couple of hours twice a week. We both moved on and I stumbled on to a Philippine “combat” style of Aikido while I was in Saudi Arabia which I tried for another year. And then finally, once back home in America, I was back to traditional Aikido at a local dojo for several years (until I developed AFib and went on blood thinners). | |
Practicing martial arts, of course, lead me to read about martial arts, which in turn lead to me reading about martial philosophy and then philosophy in general. | |
Did I ever “become” a martial artist? No. Did I ever learn how to do that? Not hardly. I never took it seriously enough to be more than what I was – a novice and a bit of a dojo sampler. Did I enjoy it? Yes, very much. Did it affect me? Yes! And for at least some small part of that, I have to thank Billy Jack (Tom Laughlin). | |
Beyond the enjoyment of playing Aikido itself, I learned timing, balance, grace, philosophy, and I gained a certain amount of inner peace. For all of which, I will always be extremely grateful. | |
R.I.P. Tom | |
Signed, | |
KMAB (A Fan) | |
[Please also go check out the song lyrics to “One Tin Soldier – (The Legend of Billy Jack)” on my Song Lyrics And Videos page. — KMAB] | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2021 | Chocolate |
Never Knowing | |
2020 | In Passing |
Look A Little Bit Closer | |
2019 | Especially Mine |
90 Day Health / Weight Update (Dec 2019) | |
2018 | And Some Never Do |
2017 | When We Know We Are Loved |
2016 | Good Acts |
2015 | Will You Be Leaving Soon? |
2014 | Just Long Enough |
2013 | R.I.P. – Tom Laughlin |
Seeking Success? | |
2012 | All Aboard |
2011 | Sail On, Sailor |
Bruises Before Bed (Or Why You Didn’t Answer)
Posted in Lyrics, Philosophy, Poetry, Serendipity and Chaos, tagged Ashley Monroe, Bruises - song lyrics, Lyrics, Philosophy, Plain White T's, Poems, Poetry, Serendipity and Chaos, Should've Gone To Bed - song lyrics, Song Lyrics, Train on July 27, 2013| 6 Comments »
This week I was driving to work, bored with sports and political radio, I switched over to some easy listening and lo and behold heard two great songs! One I’d heard before and the other I don’t remember hearing before. | |
Anyway, they were both so terrific I immediately committed to remembering their catch lines (not all that easy for someone who’s getting on in years) and wrote them down when I got to work so I could listen to them when I got home. (We are not allowed to listen to internet music at work…) | |
The two songs are: “Bruises“, performed by Train (featuring Ashley Monroe) and “Should’ve Gone To Bed“, performed by Plain White T’s. They are both easy listing cross-overs between Pop and Modern Country sounds. Very enjoyable with ear-candy / stick in your head hooks. Bruises is another classic song about boy and girl meeting ten years later and asking about what’s been happening. The interesting thing is although there is an obvious “connection” happening in the song, both are “once burned, twice shy” and nothing may happen except the “promise” to keep in touch. My favorite verse is: | |
These bruises |
|
The second song (“Should’ve Gone To Bed“) is the new one for me. On the radio, it sounds as if it’s a song about regrets and calling some number of “Ex’es” after the relationships are over. In the “official” video, it appears to be a song about a man who’s afraid to tell his girlfriend how he feels until he’s on the verge of losing her. …And then they make up (to presumably live happily ever after). It surprised me to come away with the two completely different reactions to the same song depending on if you were listening to it, listening to it and following the lyrics, or watching the official video. I guess the line which strikes me is most of us have broken up in our relationships, tried to move on and then when there’s a problem (or were just feeling lonely), we pick up the phone and call the “Ex”. Sometimes they answer and the cycle starts again. Sometimes they answer but the cycle doesn’t restart. Sometimes it ends just as badly as before; and sometimes everyone is spared the drama because the other party just doesn’t answer the phone or return the call. Being human, we assume it’s because they don’t want to talk to us anymore. | |
Someday the geezer’s among us will be telling the kids how (in our day) people didn’t have caller ID or voice mail or home answering machines, and sometimes relationships didn’t work out – not because one or both sides didn’t reach out to the other to make up – but simply because one party wasn’t there to answer the call. The concept seems “funny” in this age of always-on connectivity… Sometimes things just happen (or don’t happen) for no particular reason. | |
As always, check out the lyrics off of my Poems page, then go listen to the recordings – and in this instance, make sure you go find the “official” video for “Should’ve Gone To Bed“. Let me know if you got the same reaction to the lyrics versus the song versus the video. And remember to support the Arts in your local community. | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2012 | Extra Gears |
2011 | Say What? |
2010 | Hello Frogs… |
Absent Friends
Posted in Faith Family and Friends, Lyrics, Poetry, tagged Animals - Pink Floyd album, Frankfurt, Friends, Lyrics, Pink Floyd, Poems, Poetry, Song Lyrics on June 23, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Way back when (in the ’70’s), I got a chance to go to Frankfurt to see Pink Floyd live in concert. It was a terrific event and I really enjoyed both the music and the show. I guess this was a famous tour and I remember it distinctly because it had a giant pig come out from the stage and circle over the crowd. They also had a large circular screen which showed artistic depictions of images from their albums including “rock dinosaurs” and prisms. | |
One of the songs I’ve always liked by them is a hauntingly melancholy plea to a lost friend, “Wish You Were Here“. | |
Sometimes I feel like another lost soul livin’ in a fishbowl… | |
My mother-in-law fell recently and is now in the hospital with a fractured bone in her back. My wife is upset that she can’t be there for her mum, so I’m upset for her, too. If you pray, please offer up a prayer for her mum to get better soon. If you don’t pray, be nice to someone and (I believe) the positive energy will still reach her. | |
I hope you’ll check out the lyrics on my Poems page and then go listen to the song on your favorite music provider. Remember to go listen to as much live music as you can and support your local arts. | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2012 | Hangin’ With His P’s |
Help Save | |
2011 | Six Facets Of Good Leadership |
Movies And A Lifetime Of Lyrics
Posted in Faith Family and Friends, Lyrics, Movies, Philosophy, Poetry, tagged Blake Shelton, Bob Carlisle, Butterfly Kisses, Crosby-Stills-Nash-and-Young, Don't Miss Your Life, Eddie Murphy, Faith, Family and Friends, God Gave Me You, Grateful Dead, I'm A Believer, Love The One You're With, Lyrics, My Journal, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Oblivion - movie review, Oblivion - strong recommendation, Panama Red, Phil Vassar, Philosophy, Poems, Poetry, Secret Garden, Shrek, The Long Ships - highly recommended, The Long Ships - movie review, The Monkees, You Raise Me Up on April 24, 2013| 5 Comments »
Over the weekend, I spent a couple of days with my brother and his son. We caught a new movie: “Oblivion” and watched a classic: “The Long Ships“. I had a couple of days off, and I meant to spend them getting caught up on my blogging, but sometimes life gets in the way of our “plans”. Anyway, I’m also posting a bunch of lyrics to songs (seven in all) which I’ve been holding in a queue, waiting for me to find time. This is a fairly lengthy post, so I hope you’ll hang in there to the end… | |
Oblivion — movie review | |
I am a big fan of Science Fiction in general and Sci-Fi movies in particular. I’m not a big fan of Tom Cruise (the star of this movie), but I’m not anti-TC either. I get why some folks think TC is a complete flake due to his faith (Scientology), but I don’t really care about those issues of his personal life as long as he continues to act in entertaining movies. Oblivion was an entertaining movie for me. First off, does it work as an action movie, yes. Next, does the SciFi make sense (in the movie – not is it “scientific”), yes. Is there a reasonable story line with a twist (a la “The Twilight Zone“) at the end, yes. Are the special effects good, YES. | |
Okay, so now the down side: Can TC act? So-so. No. Well, not any better than usual. Do the other actors make up for TC. No. Did I expect them to? No. Why not? Because he’s the lead, so I expected TC to carry the bulk of the acting. Does Morgan Freeman save the film. No. Is TC’s relationship(s) in the movie believable? No. Does the movie make sense scientifically? Nope. Are there big “what the heck’s” in the movie? Yeah. Do they matter? Nope. Is the movie a homage or a rip-off of a bunch of other Sci-Fi movies? I can see both sides and don’t care about either side. If a movie works for me on its own, I don’t care how many other movies it rips-off or what genre it pays homage to. Bottom line: if you’re a TC fan – must see. If you’re a Sci-Fi movie fan – go see. If you’re an action / adventure movie fan – go see. If you fall asleep or go to the toilet a lot during movies – wait for the DVD. Oblivion isn’t as convoluted as Inception, but you do have to sit there and pay attention. Final recommendation: Strong recommendation. | |
The Long Ships — movie review | |
This is a true classic! The story of Vikings and Moors seeking a golden treasure (but for very different reasons). This is an action / adventure movie – swashbuckling and epic with a bit of pre-Monty Python thrown in for good measure. The lead is Richard Widmark and the “bad” guy is Sydney Poitier. Widmark is a barbarian Viking and Poitier is a Muslim / Moorish king. An interesting side note is that there is an inter-racial marriage in a movie dating back to 1964. While I remembered this in the movie (as I was watching it), it didn’t “strike” me until after I’d finished watching it and looked up the date of the movie. The other interesting thing for me, was seeing a African-American in a role of a King – more precisely, a non-African King. If this wasn’t the first such occurrence, I can’t think of what was… How would I rate this movie? Let your 8 year old son watch it with a group of his friends and then watch them go berserker with broomsticks and garbage can lids. (Do they still make garbage cans with lids in this day and age?) Anyway, the 8 year old in me rates this movie: HIGHLY Recommended! | |
A Lifetime of Song Lyrics | |
Sometimes songs from the past just pop into my head. Sometimes I hear a song and look it up and it leads to another (and another). The following are a number of songs which I’ve either loved for years or recently heard and loved instantly. In my head, they span a lifetime of feelings and relationships. | |
The first is one from my childhood: I’m A Believer as I remember it being sung by the Monkees. This is a song of young / teenage hope and despair. Why can’t I find the one person who will love me / Oh, there she is now! You know a song is a classic when it becomes a hit again 20 to 30 years after the original release (see Eddie Murphy as Donkey in “Shrek“). | |
As we get a bit older, loves (and lovers) come and go… Love The One You’re With is the anthem to those “with company” on a “lonely” night. Love The One You’re With is a classic from Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. | |
The next song is a “goofy” song which I remember from my 20’s. It’s not deep or philosophical, it just makes me smile – even 30 years later: Panama Red. Panama Red is not a “classic” in the traditional sense of the word, but ask anyone who heard it a few times “back in the day” and they’ll tell you it definitely is. The song was done by a quasi-country group called “The New Riders of the Purple Sage“. In fact, NRPS was actually kind of a spin-off of the Grateful Dead (a quasi-psychedelic rock band). | |
Eventually, (if you’re lucky) you find the “right” person. Time starts to pass and you realize that some people just make you a better person: God Gave Me You. This song has been covered by Blake Shelton and that’s the version my lyrics come from. | |
I was raised a Roman Catholic. I’ve spent many years as both an atheist and as an agnostic. Some time ago, I came back to my faith in a personal and loving God. My personal faith doesn’t always correspond to what I see happening in the world and with the Catholic Church, but Catholicism is the faith I was raised in, it remains the faith I’m most comfortable with, and it’s the faith I try to practice. This next song is a “faith” song. It could easily be a RC or Protestant song, or a Muslim or Jewish song for that matter. The song is: You Raise Me Up | |
The verse I particularly like is: |
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There is no life – |
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Maybe it’s because I suffer from AFib; maybe it’s because I’ve held each of my children, as newborn’s, in my hands and seen perfection. The version I drew the lyrics from is by Secret Garden. | |
Almost inevitably, a “bread-winner” feels the burden of responsibility providing for their family. The weight is heavy, but willingly accepted. At some point, though, we must recognize the one precious thing we can truly give our family is our time. Hence, the next song: Don’t Miss Your Life. This song is performed by Phil Vassar. It really strikes me close to home – too close. I only hope I have enough time left to make up for all the time I’ve spent “providing for”. | |
At the end of the day, we see our children grow up. They set out on their own lives and all you can feel is the outpouring of pride and love which has continuously welled up over the years. The next song: Butterfly Kisses, isn’t so much a good-bye as it is a celebration of the continuity of life. Giving life, sharing love and hoping for the future. | |
I know this has been a lengthy post and I’m grateful to any who’ve hung in there all the way through. I hope you’ll visit my Poems page to view these lyrics, go listen to the performances, and then go spend some time with your friends and family. Peace… | |
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