Posted on

A George Michael Song

george_michael-too_funky(2)“Ooh, you’re just too funky for me. I gotta get inside of you. And I’ll show you heaven if you’ll let me.” -George Michael

Often, I wish I were in a George Michael song, any George Michael song, because the characters that populate his lyrics are nothing if not breathtaking. They’re complex, like real life human beings, and they’re often broken or scarred. Their hearts bleed through the lyrics, and I connect with them. More than that, though, it’s really all about the feelings, the emotions they tap into, that leap out through the songs.

“Sadness in my eyes. No one guessed, and no one tried. You smiled at me like Jesus to a child.”

There is a completeness to the idea of being smiled at by Jesus. I spent my entire formative years reading about and listening to stories about Jesus, how dynamic he was, and how blessed anyone felt when he looked at them. I imagine being that child, being young and naive, but knowing there’s more out there. Wanting to have faith but being weak, with sadness creeping in to every facet of my life. Then being smiled at by Jesus and knowing it will all be okay.

“So, I just kept breathing, my friends. Waiting for the man to choose, saying this ain’t the day it ends, ’cause there’s no white light and I’m not through. I’m alive.”

Death is the great unknown, isn’t it? I’ve always wanted to be in charge of my own fate, but I know it doesn’t happen that way, not really. Is there a tunnel, and a white light at the end of it welcoming people to the afterlife? I don’t know, but I feel comforted knowing that there’s more to life than just trying not to die. There’s this feeling of just breathing without having to think about it, existing day by day, and living life in those days, through those series of moments. I’m alive and I’m going to make the most of it. Continue reading “A George Michael Song”

Posted on

Faraway, So Close

Faraway, so close Lost in a moment That shall never return Neverending night Lacking all its stars In a fitful sleep Full of odd dreams And a lack of clarity Fighting a relevance That has yet to be seen Like art on a wall In an empty room Or strangers on a train Going nowhere … Continue reading Faraway, So Close

Posted on

Opening Up

I envy people who just sit down and write whatever comes to mind at that moment. You see, I’m not one of them. I really haven’t ever been, even in the wonderful confines of my own journals throughout the years. Indeed, even this post is the result of a great deal of introspection and editing. … Continue reading Opening Up

Posted on

Water Cooler Musings: On Music

business group standing around water cooler.Haven’t you ever wondered where some people get their musical tastes from? I mean, every song, every artist someone likes probably has a story behind why they like the song or artist. I know for me I found some of my favorite singers/bands by some incredibly interesting ways, and their music spoke to me for a number of reasons.

I remember when I was 16 and I heard U2 for the first time (well, the first time when I realized it was them) on the radio on the way back from camp meeting that summer. The song was “Lemon,” and it was playing on an alternative music station, back when alt stations actually played music that wouldn’t have classified as mainstream. But I heard the song, and I was hooked. Now they’re my favorite band.

But you wouldn’t think I was a U2 fan if you just looked at me, because music is something that is personal, something internal that can’t be seen on the outside. That’s one of the things about music, that it can bring people together who wouldn’t otherwise have anything in common. It’s like magic, but you don’t know what music someone else likes unless you ask them or they tell you. Today, around the water cooler, we talked about what our music says about us.

Me: I bet I can tell what kind of music you listen to?

Teddy: Try me.

Me: I’m thinking you have a sensitive spirit, so maybe… 1970s groove, like Marvin Gaye.

Teddy: Guess again. I like that sensitive spirit stuff though.

Me: Marilyn Manson?

Teddy: Not quite.

LeRoy: I liked me some Marilyn Manson back in the day.

Me: Why doesn’t that surprise me?

LeRoy: So what else do I like?

Me: I’m thinking… Coldplay.

LeRoy: Keep thinking. Although I am a child of the 90s.

Me: Snoop Dogg? Continue reading “Water Cooler Musings: On Music”

Posted on

Reason to Believe

Rod-Stewart-Reason-To-Believe-430727“If I gave you time to change my mind, I’d tried to leave all the past behind. Knowin’ that you lied straight-faced while I cried, still I look to find a reason to believe.” – Rod Stewart

I want to believe the best in others. In fact, anytime I meet someone knew I give them the benefit of the doubt, even if I’ve heard things about them that might give others pause. I guess I’m just naive maybe, but I think I should get to know someone myself before judging them. Too often I think we tend to judge others based on hearsay instead of talking to them first.

I’ll admit I’m not perfect. Maybe that’s why I want to give others a chance, because I wish they wouldn’t pre-judge me. That’s one of the glories of human nature, though, and too many have bought into the theory that if enough people say something that makes it true. Too often those mistaken beliefs will cloud our vision. That’s not to say that sometimes those rumours and assertions aren’t true, because, yes, sometimes they are, but let me find that out for myself.

Perhaps that’s why I have several friends who don’t seem to have any other friends besides me. Which is okay by me. It’s like finding diamonds in the rough, like I have a secret society of superheroes who have powers others simply don’t appreciate. Now, that doesn’t mean I let people walk all over me. Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness, but I do give people that benefit of the doubt. I believe wholeheartedly in the adage, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”

But romantic relationships are different, though, right? We guard our hearts like a vault. But I will admit I haven’t. Continue reading “Reason to Believe”