I’m so glad that she’s my little girl,
She’s so glad she’s telling all the world.
Reading a book in an internet café in Lauterbrunnen Switzerland I started singing the bridge to “I Feel Fine” as the song played in the background. As I sang I noticed that someone else was singing along and as I looked up from my book and made eye contact with a German lady who was also singing along.
Instead of being embarrassed, we shared an approving nod and just continued to sing along through one of the most joyous Beatles songs.
Released in 1964, “I Feel Fine” is most often talked about because its use of feedback. You know that annoying high-pitched screeching sound you hear when people use microphones incorrectly? Yeah, John Lennon decided to make that sound on purpose at the very beginning of the song. Recording feedback became something that band like The Who and artist like Jimi Hendrix. However Lennon’s use of it in a recording is cited as the first instance of deliberate use of feedback in a pop song.
While this is an interesting technical note and an important part of the evolution of recording, those couple seconds in the beginning of the song aren’t the reason that people love this song so much.
“I Feel Fine” displayed the Beatles evolving musicianship. Ringo got away from doing a straight rock beat and added more of a calypso-flavored beat based in the toms and the cymbals. This is a riff-based song which means that John created a pattern on the guitar that the song was written around. Other song the Beatles did were built songs around a melody like “Yesterday.” This riff-based composition builds from blues and soul music and evolved into other great riff-based songs like the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction.”
What is truly astounding about this song is the contrast between the verses and the bridge. The melody goes from being jumpy and rhythmic to being smooth and sustained. The two sections could not feel more different but they somehow work seamlessly together.
When the bridge happens it’s like the sun has come out. The harmony opens up and there’s the sweet doo-wop back-up singing. When you sing along with these lines you can’t help but smile and feel the joy the Beatles are expressing.
There’s something special about two people who live across the world from each other loving the same song and singing it together. If you want evidence of how great the Beatles are, it’s right there.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Buffy Gets Attacked Part 5 - The Wake-up Call
Below is part five of a six part series about a recent incident when Buffy was attacked by another dog. Buffy fortunately got through this experience without any permanent physical or mental damage. Click here for part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4.
With the feeling of relief after the attack and the veterinarian visit, Diana and I were ready to deal with Amy. I can’t speak for Diana but I was pretty angry with her. I tried to be logical about the situation but there was part of me that simply wanted to kick Molly and ream Amy out.
The thing was that none of this would help, Amy already felt awful and frankly Molly wasn’t my problem. So I tried to let this all go.
Diana e-mailed Amy about the veterinarian visit and explained the bill and gave her our address so that Amy could cover the cost as she had requested in her previous e-mail. I thought I was done thinking about Amy and Molly but I realized that was not going to happen after reading Amy’s response.
I was shocked and without expecting it, I started feeling heartbroken for Amy. Now she didn’t say how long she has had Molly but taking four classes must have taken at least two years, an investment of money, time and care. Giving up a dog after all of that, even with the attack on Buffy must have been enormously difficult.
I have great respect for this decision. It’s the right thing to do, but man, I wish it didn’t have to come to this. When you bring a dog into your home even for a short period and the dog leaves there seems to be an empty space in the house, which I experienced the first time I dog-sat.
What you realize though is that this space isn’t so much physical but in your heart. Even if Molly is a dangerous dog, she’s Amy’s dog and just like the mother who never believes her son on death row is guilty, you can’t stop loving a dog that you’ve brought into your life no matter what it does.
I’ve learned to embrace that fact that I can’t communicate through words with Buffy, but I want so much to be able to make Molly understand what has happened, so maybe, just maybe she could make sure this never happens again.
I’m still angry, but not so much at Amy or Molly but at the possibility that this attack isn’t so much Molly’s instincts but the result of a negligent and abusive owner that made Molly this way.
Molly, I hope you can find a home with someone who loves you as much as Amy does. Buffy didn’t deserve to be attacked by you but you didn’t deserve the hardships in your own life. I know if you really understood what you did you would feel bad and try to make it better, because deep down inside of you, as there is in every dog, there is a good dog.
The thing was that none of this would help, Amy already felt awful and frankly Molly wasn’t my problem. So I tried to let this all go.
Diana e-mailed Amy about the veterinarian visit and explained the bill and gave her our address so that Amy could cover the cost as she had requested in her previous e-mail. I thought I was done thinking about Amy and Molly but I realized that was not going to happen after reading Amy’s response.
Diana,
I can't thank you enough for writing me back. You were way nicer on Sunday than most people would be so please don't apologize. I've been thinking about you guys and Buffy all week and am so glad she is okay. I absolutely should and will pay for your vet bill, it will actually make me feel a lot better. A check will be in the mail.
Sunday was a wake up call for me. When I got Molly from the shelter she was three years old. We don't know her history and what's she's been through. She's a dog who is very insecure, but she's very sweet and loving with me. That being said, Sunday was too scary and I just can't have a dog who is capable of what we saw...and you and poor Buffy experienced. Molly will be returning to the shelter where I got her from and re-homed.
Molly's come so far in her training, but Sunday was so out of the blue that it completely shook me to the core. I know Elizabeth was shaken too because I have had her in four different training classes with Elizabeth and we've never, ever seen anything close to what happened on Sunday. I don't want you guys to feel that what happened Sunday is the only reason I'm giving her up, it was just the final straw for me.
Molly needs a home with lots of space, no other animals, and no children. As difficult as this decision has been, both the shelter (they're willing to take her back and find her a more suitable home) and Elizabeth feel this is best for Molly and I. Rest assured that I've been very honest with the shelter about what happened on Sunday and Molly's other issues so they can find her the safest home for all.
Thank you again for being so understanding. Buffy is such a cute, sweet dog and she is so lucky to have such loving parents.
Amy
I was shocked and without expecting it, I started feeling heartbroken for Amy. Now she didn’t say how long she has had Molly but taking four classes must have taken at least two years, an investment of money, time and care. Giving up a dog after all of that, even with the attack on Buffy must have been enormously difficult.I have great respect for this decision. It’s the right thing to do, but man, I wish it didn’t have to come to this. When you bring a dog into your home even for a short period and the dog leaves there seems to be an empty space in the house, which I experienced the first time I dog-sat.
What you realize though is that this space isn’t so much physical but in your heart. Even if Molly is a dangerous dog, she’s Amy’s dog and just like the mother who never believes her son on death row is guilty, you can’t stop loving a dog that you’ve brought into your life no matter what it does.
I’ve learned to embrace that fact that I can’t communicate through words with Buffy, but I want so much to be able to make Molly understand what has happened, so maybe, just maybe she could make sure this never happens again.
I’m still angry, but not so much at Amy or Molly but at the possibility that this attack isn’t so much Molly’s instincts but the result of a negligent and abusive owner that made Molly this way. Molly, I hope you can find a home with someone who loves you as much as Amy does. Buffy didn’t deserve to be attacked by you but you didn’t deserve the hardships in your own life. I know if you really understood what you did you would feel bad and try to make it better, because deep down inside of you, as there is in every dog, there is a good dog.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Caledonia by Dougie MacLean
Feel like something beautiful?
One of these days I'll do an in depth analysis of this song, but for right now I'm content to simply enjoy the warmth of this song.
One of these days I'll do an in depth analysis of this song, but for right now I'm content to simply enjoy the warmth of this song.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Boderline by Madonna
At the end of the day it's all about the music.
We wouldn't be following Lady Gaga's wacky fashions if it wasn't for her incredible melodies, and no one would have hounded Michael Jackson if it wasn't for his revolutionary genre-melding music. So, what does all of this "controversy" really mean at the end of the day? It's something to talk about and at the time but when the dust clears what we are left with is the music. This is why after more than 25 years what many remember the most fondly about Madonna is "Borderline."
"Like A Virgin", Madonna's sexual-charged song of devotion came out as a single after "Borderline." While "Like A Virgin" stands out as an important statement of female sexuality shattering the idea of a female pop artist, it lacked the heart and genuine expression that "Borderline" showcased. When Madonna sings that she feels "like a virgin," she is blatantly stating that she is not one standing up to societies image of the way that woman talk about their own sexual experiences. While this bravery of expression is something that I can respect, it's not something many aspire to, but the pleas in "Borderline" present a woman that has a deeper and more powerful strength.
The lyrics of "Borderline" come from the perspective of a woman who feels she is pushed to the borderline because her love is not being straight with her and is playing with her emotions. She carefully describes the way that she views the relationship in the first verse. In the chorus she explains that she is trying and that he is getting the best of her, but she is not complacent. Madonna isn't avoiding a conflict but steering straight into it, not through anger or bitterness but by love. She is challenging her love to be a better man, she is being explicitly clears with what she wants and seems ready to move on if this doesn't pan out.
Think about this compared to other recent pop songs by woman. Remember that song “Don’t Cha’” by the Pussycat Dolls? That song’s level of overt over-sexuality wasn’t so much an expression of strength but servitude and self-objectification.
That is why it is so important that songs like “Boderline” keep getting produced by woman in our popular culture. Yes, woman using their sensuality is way to express themselves when done well can result in beautiful art, but when done cheaply, it’s well, just . . . sad. Thankfully many modern woman artists continue defining woman through their music embracing their femininity and strength in their lives like Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga among many others.
“Boderline” feels like a song from a simpler time, but it’s a song for our time. Through the song's catchy melody and danceable beat Madonna speaks truths about relationships, and the challenges of love. While the lyrics describe a conflict, there is a glow about this song reminding us how great love feels.
Even if we are at the borderline in a relationship, it’s a place can lead to a feeling as beautiful as this song.
We wouldn't be following Lady Gaga's wacky fashions if it wasn't for her incredible melodies, and no one would have hounded Michael Jackson if it wasn't for his revolutionary genre-melding music. So, what does all of this "controversy" really mean at the end of the day? It's something to talk about and at the time but when the dust clears what we are left with is the music. This is why after more than 25 years what many remember the most fondly about Madonna is "Borderline."
"Like A Virgin", Madonna's sexual-charged song of devotion came out as a single after "Borderline." While "Like A Virgin" stands out as an important statement of female sexuality shattering the idea of a female pop artist, it lacked the heart and genuine expression that "Borderline" showcased. When Madonna sings that she feels "like a virgin," she is blatantly stating that she is not one standing up to societies image of the way that woman talk about their own sexual experiences. While this bravery of expression is something that I can respect, it's not something many aspire to, but the pleas in "Borderline" present a woman that has a deeper and more powerful strength.
The lyrics of "Borderline" come from the perspective of a woman who feels she is pushed to the borderline because her love is not being straight with her and is playing with her emotions. She carefully describes the way that she views the relationship in the first verse. In the chorus she explains that she is trying and that he is getting the best of her, but she is not complacent. Madonna isn't avoiding a conflict but steering straight into it, not through anger or bitterness but by love. She is challenging her love to be a better man, she is being explicitly clears with what she wants and seems ready to move on if this doesn't pan out.
Think about this compared to other recent pop songs by woman. Remember that song “Don’t Cha’” by the Pussycat Dolls? That song’s level of overt over-sexuality wasn’t so much an expression of strength but servitude and self-objectification.
That is why it is so important that songs like “Boderline” keep getting produced by woman in our popular culture. Yes, woman using their sensuality is way to express themselves when done well can result in beautiful art, but when done cheaply, it’s well, just . . . sad. Thankfully many modern woman artists continue defining woman through their music embracing their femininity and strength in their lives like Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga among many others.
“Boderline” feels like a song from a simpler time, but it’s a song for our time. Through the song's catchy melody and danceable beat Madonna speaks truths about relationships, and the challenges of love. While the lyrics describe a conflict, there is a glow about this song reminding us how great love feels.
Even if we are at the borderline in a relationship, it’s a place can lead to a feeling as beautiful as this song.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Buffy Gets Attacked Part 4 - The Damage
Below is part four of a six part series about a recent incident when Buffy was attacked by another dog. Buffy fortunately got through this experience without any permanent physical or mental damage. Click here for part 1, part 2 and part 3.
Buffy has a lot of hair. Even with her summer shed, she still had a lot of hair. So when we looked her over right after the attack and felt to see if there was any bite marks we didn’t find anything. Buffy didn’t squirm when we touched her all over her body and she was walking just fine.
The next day Diana picked up Buffy and started her regular brushing and noticed that Buffy didn’t want to be brushed on her right side. This was a little odd because Buffy is usually more than compliant during her brushing sessions. I think she’s just given up the fight and has realizes that the less she struggles the faster it’ll be over.
As Diana started brushing Buffy through she called me over. There was a bite mark above her back leg. It was about an inch long and had not broken the skin but it was red and a little swollen.
Diana continued to brush Buffy and found another similar bite mark by her shoulder and while my heart sank, Diana revealed one more injury: a scabbed-over puncture wound.
By this point the feeling of relief I had the day before that Buffy was fine diminished and I again felt a deep level of sympathy for Buffy.
Diana carefully cut around the wounds and we cleaned these areas with warm water. She did fine with this but when the cotton pad with rubbing alcohol touched her puncture wound Buffy let out the pathetic whimper.
None of the wounds seemed infected so we put some Neosporin on them and waited until the next morning to see the veterinarian.
Once upon a time, before Buffy got spayed, she actually like going to the vet. That morning she was having none of it. The vet gently checked Buffy over and agreed that the wounds didn’t look infected.
She took Buffy to the back room, cut some more hair away from the wounds and opened up the puncture wound to check for infection. Buffy came back chatting away in a soft bark which she does every time she has had some trauma away from us but she seemed fine.
As a precautionary measure our veterinarian prescribed Buffy some antibiotics to take aurally. While we were pretty sure that Buffy was going to be fine, it’s always nice to have a doctor give Buffy the ok.
That evening we discovered Buffy’s talent for eating around whatever we wrapped her pill in and spitting out the pill. First I put the pill in some sausage. She ate meat than spit the pill out. She did the same thing with a cheese curd, leaving the pill on the ground, which by that point was slobbery and gross.
SIGH
Finally I molded some shredded cheese completely around the pill until it was twice the size of the actually pill and Buffy happily swallowed it down and trotted away.
I love how Buffy thinks these things are games.
Buffy has a lot of hair. Even with her summer shed, she still had a lot of hair. So when we looked her over right after the attack and felt to see if there was any bite marks we didn’t find anything. Buffy didn’t squirm when we touched her all over her body and she was walking just fine.
The next day Diana picked up Buffy and started her regular brushing and noticed that Buffy didn’t want to be brushed on her right side. This was a little odd because Buffy is usually more than compliant during her brushing sessions. I think she’s just given up the fight and has realizes that the less she struggles the faster it’ll be over.
As Diana started brushing Buffy through she called me over. There was a bite mark above her back leg. It was about an inch long and had not broken the skin but it was red and a little swollen.
Diana continued to brush Buffy and found another similar bite mark by her shoulder and while my heart sank, Diana revealed one more injury: a scabbed-over puncture wound.
By this point the feeling of relief I had the day before that Buffy was fine diminished and I again felt a deep level of sympathy for Buffy.
Diana carefully cut around the wounds and we cleaned these areas with warm water. She did fine with this but when the cotton pad with rubbing alcohol touched her puncture wound Buffy let out the pathetic whimper.
None of the wounds seemed infected so we put some Neosporin on them and waited until the next morning to see the veterinarian.
Once upon a time, before Buffy got spayed, she actually like going to the vet. That morning she was having none of it. The vet gently checked Buffy over and agreed that the wounds didn’t look infected.
She took Buffy to the back room, cut some more hair away from the wounds and opened up the puncture wound to check for infection. Buffy came back chatting away in a soft bark which she does every time she has had some trauma away from us but she seemed fine.
As a precautionary measure our veterinarian prescribed Buffy some antibiotics to take aurally. While we were pretty sure that Buffy was going to be fine, it’s always nice to have a doctor give Buffy the ok.
That evening we discovered Buffy’s talent for eating around whatever we wrapped her pill in and spitting out the pill. First I put the pill in some sausage. She ate meat than spit the pill out. She did the same thing with a cheese curd, leaving the pill on the ground, which by that point was slobbery and gross.
SIGH
Finally I molded some shredded cheese completely around the pill until it was twice the size of the actually pill and Buffy happily swallowed it down and trotted away.
I love how Buffy thinks these things are games.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
The Lyrics To Star Wars!
Did you know there was lyrics to the main theme of Star Wars?
Okay, that's not the real lyrics. From what I know there aren't any lyrics. This is from an hilarious Bill Murray SNL skit. I was reminded of this from the French version of the song (which my brother sent me).
I'm not sure if this is the greatest thing ever or well the . . . um. . . anyone know French well enough to translate these lyrics? Somehow this reminds me of "Mr. Roboto" by Styx.
Styx - Mr. Roboto by manon42
Something about a guy taking himself way too seriously when clearly singing a ridiculous song in an unbelievable video. I've seen interviews with the lead singer of Styx. He seriously thought he was making legit science-fiction. Wow.
Okay, that's not the real lyrics. From what I know there aren't any lyrics. This is from an hilarious Bill Murray SNL skit. I was reminded of this from the French version of the song (which my brother sent me).
I'm not sure if this is the greatest thing ever or well the . . . um. . . anyone know French well enough to translate these lyrics? Somehow this reminds me of "Mr. Roboto" by Styx.
Styx - Mr. Roboto by manon42
Something about a guy taking himself way too seriously when clearly singing a ridiculous song in an unbelievable video. I've seen interviews with the lead singer of Styx. He seriously thought he was making legit science-fiction. Wow.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Worst Airport Experience Ever
Okay, so I'm going to take a break from this whole, "purple reaction as a positive reaction to music and life-experiences" and go on a rant.
Yesterday I went on the eighth air plane ride this summer and while I've had some airport craziness but nothing was mind-blowlingly and astoundingly ridiculous as my ninth flight of the summer yesterday.
One and a half minutes. That was how late Diana and I were checking in so they wouldn't let us check our bag and therefore had to get bumped to another flight. While this was annoying we simply should have got their earlier so that was our bad.
The thing is even if we had made it one and half minutes earlier we probably would had missed our flight because of bins, or the lack of bins at the security line.
In our security line they ran out of bins to put shoes and jackets and stuff. So one of the staff asked for more bins over his radio. After about five minutes and the line having completely stopped there were no bins. Now I could see a whole cart of bins about to topple over and three guards standing around on the both sides of the screening devices.
The really weird thing was that the person who requested more bins didn't seem to be concerned that the line was getting longer and that no one seemed to making ANY effort to push the cart of bins ten feet so that the line could move forward.
Well, eventually the bins came across and we made it through security. Since we had been moved to another flight we had time to get breakfast. After getting through this ridiculous ordeal of a morning I figure I deserved some McDonalds.
Lunch at 10am?!? Yup, they switched over to lunch at 10am.
Now most McDonalds (according to searches on Google) switch to lunch at 10:30. But the one at O’Hare decided to switch early. Who really wants to eat a hamburger at 10am? Check out this article for more on this issue. I couldn’t even get a McSkillet Burrito, so I had to settle for a quarter-pounder, which really felt weird that early in the morning, BECAUSE IT WASN'T BREAKFAST!
After a gate switch, boarding the plane was announced but wait a second . . . hold on there was a delay. One of the flight attendants was missing, so we waited another 10 minutes to board until he showed up.
Awesome. When we finally got on the plane, we couldn’t take off for another ten minutes because the pilot was late. Really American Airlines? We are taking off 20 minutes late because personnel couldn’t get to work on time.
Ok, so when the pilot finally got on the plane he announced that we had to wait for a “part” so we could take off. REALLY!?!? You couldn’t have taken care of this before hand or during the last two delays?
So, we finally take off, and land without any drama but then we had one final issue to deal with. Logan International Airport hadn’t received a 777 in a couple years and they were having issues getting the Jet Bridge set up. Apparently this was a “delicate” procedure. Y’know people it’s not like you didn’t know this plane was coming.
I don't any meaningful conclusion or reflection, all I know is that morning was truly miserable. I try to be positive but even I have my limits. Anyways we made it to Boston.
Let's just hope the flight back goes a little bit more smoothly.
Yesterday I went on the eighth air plane ride this summer and while I've had some airport craziness but nothing was mind-blowlingly and astoundingly ridiculous as my ninth flight of the summer yesterday.
One and a half minutes. That was how late Diana and I were checking in so they wouldn't let us check our bag and therefore had to get bumped to another flight. While this was annoying we simply should have got their earlier so that was our bad.
The thing is even if we had made it one and half minutes earlier we probably would had missed our flight because of bins, or the lack of bins at the security line.
In our security line they ran out of bins to put shoes and jackets and stuff. So one of the staff asked for more bins over his radio. After about five minutes and the line having completely stopped there were no bins. Now I could see a whole cart of bins about to topple over and three guards standing around on the both sides of the screening devices.
The really weird thing was that the person who requested more bins didn't seem to be concerned that the line was getting longer and that no one seemed to making ANY effort to push the cart of bins ten feet so that the line could move forward.
Well, eventually the bins came across and we made it through security. Since we had been moved to another flight we had time to get breakfast. After getting through this ridiculous ordeal of a morning I figure I deserved some McDonalds.
Lunch at 10am?!? Yup, they switched over to lunch at 10am.
Now most McDonalds (according to searches on Google) switch to lunch at 10:30. But the one at O’Hare decided to switch early. Who really wants to eat a hamburger at 10am? Check out this article for more on this issue. I couldn’t even get a McSkillet Burrito, so I had to settle for a quarter-pounder, which really felt weird that early in the morning, BECAUSE IT WASN'T BREAKFAST!
After a gate switch, boarding the plane was announced but wait a second . . . hold on there was a delay. One of the flight attendants was missing, so we waited another 10 minutes to board until he showed up.
Awesome. When we finally got on the plane, we couldn’t take off for another ten minutes because the pilot was late. Really American Airlines? We are taking off 20 minutes late because personnel couldn’t get to work on time.
Ok, so when the pilot finally got on the plane he announced that we had to wait for a “part” so we could take off. REALLY!?!? You couldn’t have taken care of this before hand or during the last two delays?
So, we finally take off, and land without any drama but then we had one final issue to deal with. Logan International Airport hadn’t received a 777 in a couple years and they were having issues getting the Jet Bridge set up. Apparently this was a “delicate” procedure. Y’know people it’s not like you didn’t know this plane was coming.
I don't any meaningful conclusion or reflection, all I know is that morning was truly miserable. I try to be positive but even I have my limits. Anyways we made it to Boston.
Let's just hope the flight back goes a little bit more smoothly.
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