Happy May, everyone!
I have a song this time. :)
But before we get there, just a few updates on the world of country music. For one, the nominees for the first round of the CMT (Country Music Television) Awards have been announced. The special thing about these awards is that it is the one country awards show that is completely fan-voted, so if you wish to vote for the next round of nominees, please check out this website: http://www.cmt.com/cmt-music-awards/vote.jhtml. In case you were wondering, I've already voted. The nominees are all deserving, so just go and vote for your favourites (or just to check out some new songs!). I think voting closes May 11th or so.
Next, and I know this is rather old news (I love oxymorons), the ACM Awards have come and gone. In fact, it'll be a month on Tuesday. Nevertheless, I will bore you to tears and give you a rundown of performers and winners, because I notate these things with precision. The opening number was a showcase of many talents, with the main focus being Brooks and Dunn with "Play Something Country"; the other performers were Taylor Swift ("Picture to Burn"), Sugarland ("It Happens"), Carrie Underwood ("All-American Girl"), and Rascal Flatts. Kenny Chesney with "We Went Out Last Night" was next. Following with a live interpretation of her music video for the song was Heidi Newfield with "Johnny and June" and lots of rings of fire. The next performer was Toby Keith and "God Love Her." For Toby Keith, it was an okay song. Jamey Johnson performed "In Colour" next, and it was beautiful - the lights cast a black and white glow on him, and it was only him and the acoustic guitar on top of a pile of old colourless pictures. Next was the timeless George Strait with his song "Troubadour." The next performer was introduced by the magician David Copperfield, and she appeared in a box out of nowhere; playing the piano accompaniment to "You're Not Sorry" was Taylor Swift, who was then called over by host Reba McIntire and received a Crystal Milestone Award for selling more albums than anyone else this year. After that the next performers were Lady Antebellum (my new favourite group!) with "I Run to You" and its beautiful harmonies. The next song, a slower one, was LeAnn Womack's "Solitary Thinkin'." Keith Urban performed next, his latest single "I Wanna Kiss a Girl." The subsequent performer was Miranda Lambert, with her new song "Dead Flowers," which will be a hit and is beautiful. John Rich sang next, his solitary effort "Shuttin' Detroit Down." The omnipotent Miley Cyrus performed "The Climb," from Hannah Montana: The Movie, which is actually a powerful and tremendous country song. The next group was Montgomery Gentry, with "One In Every Crowd." Carrie Underwood wore the most gigantic dress when she performed "I Told You So," which was the next song. After that was "Strange" by host Reba McIntire. The next was an homage and a tribute by Trace Adkins, "Til the Last Shot's Fired," a song which made me tear up (which was probably the point). Sugarland continued its streak with "What I'd Give." The last two performances were Blake Shelton with "She Wouldn't Be Gone," a very catchy and nice song, and "Here Comes Goodbye" by Rascal Flatts, which was very moving.
A full list of winners follows:
Vocal Event of the Year - "Start a Band," Brad Paisley and Keith Urban
Video of the Year - "Waitin' on a Woman," Brad Paisley (is anyone surprised?)
Song of the Year - "In Color," Jamey Johnson
Single Record of the Year - "You're Gonna Miss This," Trace Adkins
Album of the Year - Fearless, Taylor Swift (I loved her speech)
Top New Artist [fan-voted] - Julianne Hough
Top Vocal Duo - Sugarland (duh)
Top Vocal Group - Rascal Flatts (duh, again)
Top Female Vocalist - Carrie Underwood
Top Male Vocalist - Brad Paisley
Entertainer of the Year [fan-voted] - Carrie Underwood
Brad Paisley was not there, on account of the fact that his wife was about to give birth, so he accepted his awards via satellite.
Here comes my song! I hope you like it. I'd love to hear what you think it is about before I tell you. I wrote it on Tuesday night, and I like it. The first two lines of the chorus just popped into my head and it was just so beautiful I couldn't not use it, and I love when that happens. The reason there are ( ) around the "Just" in the title is because I'm not sure if it belongs. Please tell me what you think!
(Just) One More Victory
that's not the way it was supposed to be
too soon, too unfair, the end came too quickly
still don't know exactly what happened
too stunned to move, too stunned to speak
but what is there for us to say anyway
CHORUS:
it's just one more victory for the doubters
and another blow to the innocence of the believers
don't try to apologize, I see the tears in your eyes
we tried and left it all out there
no one can say we don't care
we were winning for so long
when just like that it all went wrong
that's not what was supposed to happen
we should've stayed strong and not given in like that
still not sure exactly how it ended
but time keeps on movin' and bringing change
and there we were, swept up by a hurricane
CHORUS:
it's just one more victory for the doubters
and another blow to the innocence of the believers
don't try to apologize, I see the tears in your eyes
we tried and put ourselves all out there
we were winning for so long
when just like that it all went wrong
BRIDGE:
it'll take some time for us to recover
and I love you and I will - forever
someday we'll look back and point and say
that's what made us all that much stronger
it only took a minute for it to go wrong
in the blink of an eye what we've built has gone
still don't know exactly how it happened
now we're stuck wondering why us
to figure out how we got so lost
we didn't think we'd actually feel this empty
it's like everything's gone, some part of me
still don't know exactly how it ended
all the promise escaped with all the glory
and all the hope we had for us destroyed
CHORUS:
it's just one more victory for the doubters
and another blow to the innocence of the believers
don't try to apologize, I see the tears in your eyes
we tried and left all we had out there
no one can say that we don't care
we were winning for so long
when just like that, it all went wrong
and what we've had for so long slipped away
so we shake hands and go our separate ways...
So there it is. Comments, criticism, ideas all welcome and accepted.
Much love and thank you for the musik,
NBK
01 May 2009
30 March 2009
It's Just Sand
Hey all!
Right now, I am listening to my new favourite song, "Wild at Heart," by Gloriana. It's amazing. It's a country song by a new band (they're touring with Taylor Swift on her Fearless tour), and the lyrics are beautiful ("That rebel moon is shinin' / Those stars burn like diamonds / Hell bent on chasin' down that crazy slide / I'll follow you where you're leading / To the first sweet taste of freedom" is part of the chorus) and the melody is one surprise after another. I love it.
A few weeks ago, I was in Montreal for a long weekend because it was my parents' 25th wedding anniversary (yay!!). It was cold, but lovely. We drove there and the first day was terribly cold, but we walked from our hotel to the Bell Centre (the place where the Montreal Canadiens play), which was at least 25 blocks in freezing temperatures and coat-cutting winds, so you have leave to be impressed. The next day was wonderful; we walked to the Vieux Port and Vieux Montreal (for you non-French speakers, Vieux means old) and we popped into stores on the way there and back (mostly to warm up, but also to immerse ourselves into the culture of the city). That evening, we went into a sports bar/restaurant and watched the New Jersey Devils versus the Montreal Canadiens game in a place that was clearly pro-Canadiens. It was the most intense game ever, because the Devils' goalie, Marty Brodeur, is from Montreal and if the Devils won that night (which they did, with a score of 3-1!) he would tie the all-time wins record by a goalie at 551 wins, tying Patrick Roy (also a Montrealer). Every time the Devils scored, we cheered like crazy, and at the end of the game, when Marty tied the record, everyone at the Bell Centre and everyone at the restaurant stood up and cheered for him. I get goosebumps whenever I think of it. The next day was also spectacular, as we went to the manmade islands surrounding the city, where the World Expo in 1967 was held. When we crossed the bridge, we stopped for a while to look at the ice breaking on the river below us. I've never seen anything like it. On one of the islands was the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the Formula 1 race track where the Canadian Grand Prix had been held for years (it has been dropped for this season, sadly). We walked the length of the track, pointing out where certain events we remember happened (pit lane - "oh, this is where Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg took out Kimi when the pit lane was closed last year." or "here at this hairpin was Robert Kubica's frightful crash in 2007."). I loved doing that track walk. And since I'm on the subject, I'll just mention that the first Formula 1 race of the 2009 season was yesterday, in Melbourne. It was intense, with the most dramatic crash happening in the last three laps and deciding the final podium as Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel took each other out unnecessarily; my favourite driver, Kimi Raikkonen, didn't finish in his Ferrari (and neither did his teammate, Felipe Massa) because he spun into the wall; and Jenson Button and Reubens Barrichello, whose team went from panic when Honda pulled out of the sport in December to redemption when team principal Ross Brawn bought the team and renamed it Brawn GP just three weeks ago, finished first and second respectively, the first time a team went 1-2 in its first Grand Prix since Mercedes in 1954 (and that's cause that was the first year of the championship). It was phenomenal, and I can't wait until next week, when the circus moves to Malaysia! Going back to North America, however, the third day we again walked around the city and we left the next day. The day we came back was the day Marty broke Roy's record and I cried.
When we were in Montreal, I discovered this terrific band from Manitoba. It was the freezing day that we were walking to the Bell Centre, and I saw a music store on the way and suggested we warm up there for a while. I specifically looked for this band because I'd heard of them before (it's Travis Zajac's favourite band, he's from Winnepeg and he likes country and no I'm not obsessed because he told me so himself, personally), and to my absolute delight they had two albums there. The band is called Doc Walker, and I have their self-titled album and Beautiful Life. I haven't opened the latter because I'm waiting until my fervour over the first dies down (which tells me I'll be waiting for a long time to open the second one), but I absolutely love love love Doc Walker. My favourite songs are "My Life," because it is essentially my philosophy on life set to music, and "Driving with the Brakes On," because of the beautiful melody and the bridge (btw, the opening notes sound like Taylor Swift's "The Best Day"). So if you're interested, I highly recommend the band and the songs.
My song today is called "It's Just Sand," and I don't think it needs any explanation. I mean, aside from the obvious fact that it's not based on a true story. It's a happy song (my sister would be so proud), but it's not without its conflict.
It's Just Sand
you call me on the phone one afternoon
say "your mom won't let me see you sometime soon
you can't sneak out, I don't have a car
I don't see how we can make it far"
I take a deep breath and think hey
are we gonna let this get in our way
(you know that)
CHORUS:
it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and somehow we will make them understand
all these obstacles are like sand
your friends are laughin' cause they don't think we'll last
they think we're gonna break up, and fast
do you still think that we can't make it
cause if you do I don't think I can take it
you look at me and whisper hey
are we gonna let this get in our way
(don't you know that)
CHORUS:
it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and somehow we will make them understand
all these obstacles are like sand
BRIDGE:
there's you and I and between us the world
all the small things against this boy and girl
but just like you can't ruin a castle with the rain
you can't break us apart by throwin' grains
(don't you know that)
CHORUS:
it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and somehow we will make them understand
that it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
and we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and now we hold the future in our hands
cause all these obstacles are like sand
What do you think? I like it. I've been cultivating it since last Friday and I started writing the chorus before I fell asleep last night (cause that's what I do instead of counting sheep, although sometimes I don't get drowsy because I'm so excited about the new song).
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Be on the lookout for "I Should've Said Yes" and "Promises That You Don't Keep."
Right now, I am listening to my new favourite song, "Wild at Heart," by Gloriana. It's amazing. It's a country song by a new band (they're touring with Taylor Swift on her Fearless tour), and the lyrics are beautiful ("That rebel moon is shinin' / Those stars burn like diamonds / Hell bent on chasin' down that crazy slide / I'll follow you where you're leading / To the first sweet taste of freedom" is part of the chorus) and the melody is one surprise after another. I love it.
A few weeks ago, I was in Montreal for a long weekend because it was my parents' 25th wedding anniversary (yay!!). It was cold, but lovely. We drove there and the first day was terribly cold, but we walked from our hotel to the Bell Centre (the place where the Montreal Canadiens play), which was at least 25 blocks in freezing temperatures and coat-cutting winds, so you have leave to be impressed. The next day was wonderful; we walked to the Vieux Port and Vieux Montreal (for you non-French speakers, Vieux means old) and we popped into stores on the way there and back (mostly to warm up, but also to immerse ourselves into the culture of the city). That evening, we went into a sports bar/restaurant and watched the New Jersey Devils versus the Montreal Canadiens game in a place that was clearly pro-Canadiens. It was the most intense game ever, because the Devils' goalie, Marty Brodeur, is from Montreal and if the Devils won that night (which they did, with a score of 3-1!) he would tie the all-time wins record by a goalie at 551 wins, tying Patrick Roy (also a Montrealer). Every time the Devils scored, we cheered like crazy, and at the end of the game, when Marty tied the record, everyone at the Bell Centre and everyone at the restaurant stood up and cheered for him. I get goosebumps whenever I think of it. The next day was also spectacular, as we went to the manmade islands surrounding the city, where the World Expo in 1967 was held. When we crossed the bridge, we stopped for a while to look at the ice breaking on the river below us. I've never seen anything like it. On one of the islands was the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the Formula 1 race track where the Canadian Grand Prix had been held for years (it has been dropped for this season, sadly). We walked the length of the track, pointing out where certain events we remember happened (pit lane - "oh, this is where Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg took out Kimi when the pit lane was closed last year." or "here at this hairpin was Robert Kubica's frightful crash in 2007."). I loved doing that track walk. And since I'm on the subject, I'll just mention that the first Formula 1 race of the 2009 season was yesterday, in Melbourne. It was intense, with the most dramatic crash happening in the last three laps and deciding the final podium as Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel took each other out unnecessarily; my favourite driver, Kimi Raikkonen, didn't finish in his Ferrari (and neither did his teammate, Felipe Massa) because he spun into the wall; and Jenson Button and Reubens Barrichello, whose team went from panic when Honda pulled out of the sport in December to redemption when team principal Ross Brawn bought the team and renamed it Brawn GP just three weeks ago, finished first and second respectively, the first time a team went 1-2 in its first Grand Prix since Mercedes in 1954 (and that's cause that was the first year of the championship). It was phenomenal, and I can't wait until next week, when the circus moves to Malaysia! Going back to North America, however, the third day we again walked around the city and we left the next day. The day we came back was the day Marty broke Roy's record and I cried.
When we were in Montreal, I discovered this terrific band from Manitoba. It was the freezing day that we were walking to the Bell Centre, and I saw a music store on the way and suggested we warm up there for a while. I specifically looked for this band because I'd heard of them before (it's Travis Zajac's favourite band, he's from Winnepeg and he likes country and no I'm not obsessed because he told me so himself, personally), and to my absolute delight they had two albums there. The band is called Doc Walker, and I have their self-titled album and Beautiful Life. I haven't opened the latter because I'm waiting until my fervour over the first dies down (which tells me I'll be waiting for a long time to open the second one), but I absolutely love love love Doc Walker. My favourite songs are "My Life," because it is essentially my philosophy on life set to music, and "Driving with the Brakes On," because of the beautiful melody and the bridge (btw, the opening notes sound like Taylor Swift's "The Best Day"). So if you're interested, I highly recommend the band and the songs.
My song today is called "It's Just Sand," and I don't think it needs any explanation. I mean, aside from the obvious fact that it's not based on a true story. It's a happy song (my sister would be so proud), but it's not without its conflict.
It's Just Sand
you call me on the phone one afternoon
say "your mom won't let me see you sometime soon
you can't sneak out, I don't have a car
I don't see how we can make it far"
I take a deep breath and think hey
are we gonna let this get in our way
(you know that)
CHORUS:
it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and somehow we will make them understand
all these obstacles are like sand
your friends are laughin' cause they don't think we'll last
they think we're gonna break up, and fast
do you still think that we can't make it
cause if you do I don't think I can take it
you look at me and whisper hey
are we gonna let this get in our way
(don't you know that)
CHORUS:
it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and somehow we will make them understand
all these obstacles are like sand
BRIDGE:
there's you and I and between us the world
all the small things against this boy and girl
but just like you can't ruin a castle with the rain
you can't break us apart by throwin' grains
(don't you know that)
CHORUS:
it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and somehow we will make them understand
that it's just sand, it'll fall through the cracks
and we've got each other so baby, just relax
we'll figure it out, we'll make this count
and now we hold the future in our hands
cause all these obstacles are like sand
What do you think? I like it. I've been cultivating it since last Friday and I started writing the chorus before I fell asleep last night (cause that's what I do instead of counting sheep, although sometimes I don't get drowsy because I'm so excited about the new song).
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Be on the lookout for "I Should've Said Yes" and "Promises That You Don't Keep."
28 February 2009
Who Will
Hello, all, once again!
I am writing very happily today, because literally two minutes ago, I finished the song "Who Will" and I like it very much. But more on that later.
I also have many things to report and discuss before I dive into that certain kettle of fish. The first of which is that I don't think I shared with you what I did for Valentine's Day. I think it must be said that I detest with a vehement passion the holiday, if you can call it that. On many levels. But that's not important. I decided that, instead of focusing on my lack of a valentine, I would make the day special to two of the three people most important to me: my parents. (my sister being the third.) The preparation took days. First, I made a CD for each person, consisting of six songs each. The first and last songs on both were the same: "Two People Fell In Love" by Brad Paisley, which began the CD, and "The Best Day" by Taylor Swift, which concluded it. For my Dad, the other songs were "I Loved Her First" by Heartland (a sentimental song about a father watching his daughter dancing with her fiance, telling his son-in-law-to-be that he loved her first, to be careful with her), "Song For Dad" by Keith Urban (a song about how great an influence his dad was on him), "Stealing Cinderella" by Chuck Wicks (a suitor goes to ask a man for his daughter's hand in marriage and sees all these pictures of the girl growing up), and "Salvem El Mon/Let's Save The World" by the Andorrian band Anonymous (because my dad hates gooey songs so I figured he needed a break). For my mom, the other songs were "Drama Queen" by the Denmarkian band DQ (because she loves it), "Love Story" by Taylor Swift, "In My Daughter's Eyes" by Martina McBride (mother looks in her daughter's eyes, sees everything she wants to be), and "I'm Only Me When I'm With You" by Taylor Swift. For CD booklets, I put pictures of the singers/bands with their families. I also bought wooden roses someone was selling, a red one for each. Whenever my mom went to pick up my dad from the bus stop, I would plan how I would give these things to them. I finally decided on putting the roses in separate glass vases, leaning the CDs against them, and spreading an array of chocolates and other heart-shaped sweets on doilies on the dining room table. I woke up at 3 in the morning on Saturday the 14th in order to execute it properly without either one finding out.
Next, I want to introduce a new item, where I talk about a category at the ACMs and discuss the nominees and potential winner. Today, I will take on the prestigious categories (because they go hand-in-hand) of Song of the Year and Single of the Year. Here are the nominees for Single of the Year:
Gunpowder and Lead, Miranda Lambert
In Colour, Jamey Johnson
Johnny and June, Heidi Newfield
Waitin' on a Woman, Brad Paisley
You're Gonna Miss This, Trace Adkins
Well. What a great category. In order to fully be able to assess this category, I bought the two songs I did not have on iTunes, and I can honestly say that each song deserves a win. That said, I think "In Color" has no chance, considering that Jamey Johnson is also nominated for the Top New Male Artist category. I doubt that the combination of the song's topic/its lilting inflection that reminds me of Kenny Chesney's "In a Small Town" and Johnson's snarl that is reminiscent of Johnny Cash himself is enough to sway the Academy. Heidi Newfield's sweet song, about country's first couple, Johnny and June Carter Cash, has a greater chance, but I think it will be overshadowed by the feisty Miranda Lambert, the sentimental Trace Adkins, and the charming Brad Paisley. Of these three, my money is on "Waitin' On a Woman," purely because of the fact that the Academy loves its Brad Paisley, who has won Artist of the Year multiple times. However, if "You're Gonna Miss This" wins, because I think it's a close second, it will be the first win for Trace Adkins and look for Brad Paisley and "Waitin' on a Woman" to take Video of the Year.
Here are the nominees for Song of the Year:
I Saw God Today, George Strait
In Colour, Jamey Johnson
Johnny and June, Heidi Newfield
Waiting on a Woman, Brad Paisley
You're Gonna Miss This, Trace Adkins
My money here is on George Strait. The Academy loves its George Strait, who has won this category two years ago, and will be awarded the ACM Artist of the Decade award this year. In addition, "I Saw God Today" won this same category at the CMAs in November. The only serious contest is by Trace Adkins here, because Brad's song was first released on his album "Time Well Wasted, released in 2005, and only released as a single this past year (hence all its nominations); Johnson is also nominated for TNMA, as I mentioned; and "Johnny and June" is too sweet and sugary for the Academy to give it an award. "You're Gonna Miss This," the nostalgic look at growing up, will give "I Saw God Today" a good run for its money, but look for the veteran George Strait on the podium.
I wonder what categories I will be discussing next time! I liked this.
And here is my song, not worthy of any accolades such as these, but I guess worthy of this blog. It doesn't really need an explanation, so without further ado, here it is:
Who Will
I'm too nice or so they tell me
too ready to smile, too quick to agree
can't say no to save my own life
and maybe, just maybe, they've got it right
CHORUS:
but if I don't say good morning or tell you I like your shirt
get you to smile even when you've been hurt
help pick up your things after they've fallen down
look in your eyes and say I'll see you around
who will
and so you say you're needing a friend
well, I've got two ears I'm willing to lend
you say all you need is a little mercy
and I'd go there for you gladly
CHORUS:
cause if I don't say good morning or tell you I like your shirt
get you to smile even when you've been hurt
help pick up your things after they've fallen down
look in your eyes and say I'll see you around
who will
BRIDGE:
give you a fresh start
who will
show you a heart
who will
make kindness an art
CHORUS:
who will say good morning and tell you they like your shirt
get you to smile even when you've been hurt
help pick up your things after they've fallen down
look in your eyes and say they'll see you around
who will
who will
Just let me know what you think! Comments, praises, scorn, and criticism all equally accepted.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. In case anyone out there was wondering, Travis Zajac is okay. In fact, he has scored twice in the past two games, today and Thursday, and has reached his career-high number of goals (18). So he is healthy and back on his form. Martin Brodeur is also healthy, and has won the first two games after missing fifty with scores of 4-0 and 7-2. The Devils play again tomorrow, against the Philadelphia Flyers.
p.p.s. Another sport I love is cycling, and last week was the Tour of California. The victor was once again Levi Leipheimer (who has won the last three TOCs), but notable was the returning Lance Armstrong, who finished in seventh place overall. One of my most favourite cyclists, David Zabriskie, was second; Michael Rogers of Australia was third; and big Jens Voigt was fourth. Other notable placers were Tommy Danielson, who finished ninth, Jose "Chechu" Rubiera in tenth place, Frank Schleck in eleventh, and Georgie Hincapie in fifteenth. Floyd Landis, of the 2006 Tour de France doping scandal, took part in California, his first race since his two-year doping ban, and placed 23rd. This is not indicative of anything yet, however, as the first test will come in Italy, towards the beginning of May (Giro d'Italia). I'm rooting for Alberto Contador.
I am writing very happily today, because literally two minutes ago, I finished the song "Who Will" and I like it very much. But more on that later.
I also have many things to report and discuss before I dive into that certain kettle of fish. The first of which is that I don't think I shared with you what I did for Valentine's Day. I think it must be said that I detest with a vehement passion the holiday, if you can call it that. On many levels. But that's not important. I decided that, instead of focusing on my lack of a valentine, I would make the day special to two of the three people most important to me: my parents. (my sister being the third.) The preparation took days. First, I made a CD for each person, consisting of six songs each. The first and last songs on both were the same: "Two People Fell In Love" by Brad Paisley, which began the CD, and "The Best Day" by Taylor Swift, which concluded it. For my Dad, the other songs were "I Loved Her First" by Heartland (a sentimental song about a father watching his daughter dancing with her fiance, telling his son-in-law-to-be that he loved her first, to be careful with her), "Song For Dad" by Keith Urban (a song about how great an influence his dad was on him), "Stealing Cinderella" by Chuck Wicks (a suitor goes to ask a man for his daughter's hand in marriage and sees all these pictures of the girl growing up), and "Salvem El Mon/Let's Save The World" by the Andorrian band Anonymous (because my dad hates gooey songs so I figured he needed a break). For my mom, the other songs were "Drama Queen" by the Denmarkian band DQ (because she loves it), "Love Story" by Taylor Swift, "In My Daughter's Eyes" by Martina McBride (mother looks in her daughter's eyes, sees everything she wants to be), and "I'm Only Me When I'm With You" by Taylor Swift. For CD booklets, I put pictures of the singers/bands with their families. I also bought wooden roses someone was selling, a red one for each. Whenever my mom went to pick up my dad from the bus stop, I would plan how I would give these things to them. I finally decided on putting the roses in separate glass vases, leaning the CDs against them, and spreading an array of chocolates and other heart-shaped sweets on doilies on the dining room table. I woke up at 3 in the morning on Saturday the 14th in order to execute it properly without either one finding out.
Next, I want to introduce a new item, where I talk about a category at the ACMs and discuss the nominees and potential winner. Today, I will take on the prestigious categories (because they go hand-in-hand) of Song of the Year and Single of the Year. Here are the nominees for Single of the Year:
Gunpowder and Lead, Miranda Lambert
In Colour, Jamey Johnson
Johnny and June, Heidi Newfield
Waitin' on a Woman, Brad Paisley
You're Gonna Miss This, Trace Adkins
Well. What a great category. In order to fully be able to assess this category, I bought the two songs I did not have on iTunes, and I can honestly say that each song deserves a win. That said, I think "In Color" has no chance, considering that Jamey Johnson is also nominated for the Top New Male Artist category. I doubt that the combination of the song's topic/its lilting inflection that reminds me of Kenny Chesney's "In a Small Town" and Johnson's snarl that is reminiscent of Johnny Cash himself is enough to sway the Academy. Heidi Newfield's sweet song, about country's first couple, Johnny and June Carter Cash, has a greater chance, but I think it will be overshadowed by the feisty Miranda Lambert, the sentimental Trace Adkins, and the charming Brad Paisley. Of these three, my money is on "Waitin' On a Woman," purely because of the fact that the Academy loves its Brad Paisley, who has won Artist of the Year multiple times. However, if "You're Gonna Miss This" wins, because I think it's a close second, it will be the first win for Trace Adkins and look for Brad Paisley and "Waitin' on a Woman" to take Video of the Year.
Here are the nominees for Song of the Year:
I Saw God Today, George Strait
In Colour, Jamey Johnson
Johnny and June, Heidi Newfield
Waiting on a Woman, Brad Paisley
You're Gonna Miss This, Trace Adkins
My money here is on George Strait. The Academy loves its George Strait, who has won this category two years ago, and will be awarded the ACM Artist of the Decade award this year. In addition, "I Saw God Today" won this same category at the CMAs in November. The only serious contest is by Trace Adkins here, because Brad's song was first released on his album "Time Well Wasted, released in 2005, and only released as a single this past year (hence all its nominations); Johnson is also nominated for TNMA, as I mentioned; and "Johnny and June" is too sweet and sugary for the Academy to give it an award. "You're Gonna Miss This," the nostalgic look at growing up, will give "I Saw God Today" a good run for its money, but look for the veteran George Strait on the podium.
I wonder what categories I will be discussing next time! I liked this.
And here is my song, not worthy of any accolades such as these, but I guess worthy of this blog. It doesn't really need an explanation, so without further ado, here it is:
Who Will
I'm too nice or so they tell me
too ready to smile, too quick to agree
can't say no to save my own life
and maybe, just maybe, they've got it right
CHORUS:
but if I don't say good morning or tell you I like your shirt
get you to smile even when you've been hurt
help pick up your things after they've fallen down
look in your eyes and say I'll see you around
who will
and so you say you're needing a friend
well, I've got two ears I'm willing to lend
you say all you need is a little mercy
and I'd go there for you gladly
CHORUS:
cause if I don't say good morning or tell you I like your shirt
get you to smile even when you've been hurt
help pick up your things after they've fallen down
look in your eyes and say I'll see you around
who will
BRIDGE:
give you a fresh start
who will
show you a heart
who will
make kindness an art
CHORUS:
who will say good morning and tell you they like your shirt
get you to smile even when you've been hurt
help pick up your things after they've fallen down
look in your eyes and say they'll see you around
who will
who will
Just let me know what you think! Comments, praises, scorn, and criticism all equally accepted.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. In case anyone out there was wondering, Travis Zajac is okay. In fact, he has scored twice in the past two games, today and Thursday, and has reached his career-high number of goals (18). So he is healthy and back on his form. Martin Brodeur is also healthy, and has won the first two games after missing fifty with scores of 4-0 and 7-2. The Devils play again tomorrow, against the Philadelphia Flyers.
p.p.s. Another sport I love is cycling, and last week was the Tour of California. The victor was once again Levi Leipheimer (who has won the last three TOCs), but notable was the returning Lance Armstrong, who finished in seventh place overall. One of my most favourite cyclists, David Zabriskie, was second; Michael Rogers of Australia was third; and big Jens Voigt was fourth. Other notable placers were Tommy Danielson, who finished ninth, Jose "Chechu" Rubiera in tenth place, Frank Schleck in eleventh, and Georgie Hincapie in fifteenth. Floyd Landis, of the 2006 Tour de France doping scandal, took part in California, his first race since his two-year doping ban, and placed 23rd. This is not indicative of anything yet, however, as the first test will come in Italy, towards the beginning of May (Giro d'Italia). I'm rooting for Alberto Contador.
24 February 2009
One Long Entry
Hello and welcome to another post!
I do realize it's been...over a month since my last post (quite the theme lately), and I apologize sincerely. Because of the depressing quality of my last two posts, I had hoped I would write a happy-themed post for you hot off the heels of "The Things You Loved," so just imagine that this is hot off the heels. Even if it's a month and 17 days later.
The title of this post is misleading, as I'm not expecting to write a particularly long entry. It is, in fact, the name of the song. But before I get there, you know that I like to discuss a few talking points in country music that have come up in the last little while. The most important of which is the fact that the nominees for the ACM (Academy of Country Music) Awards have been released. Me being a diehard fan, of course, I received my own personal email from the Academy itself last week. I won't cover all categories here, just the most important ones:
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Top Male Vocalist
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
Top Female Vocalist
Miranda Lambert
Heidi Newfield
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack
For all other nominees, including Top New Artist (which is fan-voted this year, nominees separated by gender--you can vote online), Top Vocal Group, Top Vocal Duo, Single Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, among others, I entreat you to visit <http://www.acmcountry.com/awards/nominees.php>.
There were also the Grammys, but as those awards are not specifically about country music (and because, to be honest, I recorded them but haven't watched them yet), I won't delve too deeply. Just to say, I know that Taylor Swift sang "Fifteen" with Miley Cyrus and that Brad Paisley won for "Letter to Me." Other than that, I do believe the country categories were overshadowed by the Rihanna-Chris Brown contratomb as well as the breakthrough news that Blink-182 will be coming back together. So yay Blink-182.
"White Horse" has come out as a music video, starring Stephen Colletti, of "One Tree Hill" fame (he is the second OTH actor to appear in a Taylor Swift music video, the first being Tyler Hilton in "Teardrops on my Guitar"). It is quite lovely, but not on iTunes as of yet.
"One Long Entry" was sort of a manifestation of the fact that I've really been neglecting writing in my diary. I wrote this song in early December, and I still hadn't written anything about the November 4th election. It is now nearing the end of February, and I can proudly say that I have. Finally. Be that as it may, however, this song is happy, cute, and infectious to the point where it makes me sick. So please, if it's lame, cheesy, or a combination of both, bear with me. With that in mind, here is "One Long Entry:"
One Long Entry
there's a little notebook by my bed
there's nothing there that Daddy hasn't read
and nothin' that will cause my mama shame
but I told him that I liked him and he said the same
and right in that moment, my world changed
CHORUS:
now I owe my diary one long entry
devoted to a story of the boy and me
it's been a month since I wrote last
can't believe so much time has passed
I know, I know, I know my diary's waiting
but so is he, outside my window
so oh well, maybe tomorrow
it'll take 30 sheets and a brand new pen
and a ton of time I'll waste without him
my last entry, is that what I wrote then
"his eyes are nice and his smile never ends"
CHORUS:
now I owe my diary one long entry
devoted to a story of the boy and me
it's been three months since I wrote last
can't believe so much time has passed
I know, I know, I know my diary's waiting
but so is he, outside my window
so I'm sorry, maybe tomorrow
BRIDGE:
I need time to have it all sink in
before I see it there in my writing
but I owe my diary one long entry
devoted to a story of the boy and me
laying out on his truck just the two of us
or the time we got lost and came home late
I know, I know, I know my diary's waiting
but so is he, outside my window
so I'm sorry, maybe tomorrow
tomorrow he'll be out of town
so that's my time to sit right down
grab a brand new pen and finally
write that one long long entry...
I hadn't read that song since I wrote it, so naturally I edited a few lines (mostly the beginning, which is the hardest part of any lyrics for me to write), but I kept everything else. If you notice, there's a LOT more country exuding from the lyrics here. For example, saying "mama" and "nothin'"and the general bad grammar and "laying out on his truck" and the melody in my head that's playing as I read this song (which of course you can't hear, but...). I can hear Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland singing this song. Which is a positive thing for me. But enough about what I think about the song. I wanna know what you hear/see/like/hate about this song!
Much much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. I want to say a few words about hockey here. Specifically New Jersey Devils hockey. Like, how ANGRY with Brent Sutter (whom, by the way, I adore and who makes me smile) I was when he played Scott Clemmensen in goal instead of Kevin Weekes on Saturday against the Islanders (the worst team in the league, with the lowest point total), leading to the second 0-4 shutout in three games. Play Kevin Weekes! He deserves it, because he and Clemmer should be considered equals when Martin Brodeur is gone. I certainly consider them equals. And then when future Hall-of-Famer Marty returns, spare him as much as possible so that he saves his energy/strength/etc for the playoffs. We could go far.
I also want to address Travis Zajac. Poor, poor Travis Zajac. On Sunday (a brilliant 6-5 win over the San Jose Sharks), he was hit in the face by a high stick from his teammate wearing number 24, defenseman Bryce Salvador. He was left with stiches on his nose and a partial black eye. Four days and two games later, on Thursday (a hard-fought 3-2 shootout win over the Tampa Bay Lightning), he took a puck to the face on a shot by his captain, Jamie Langenbrunner; a shot which, I might add, found its way off Pop's stick and Trav's face onto Zach Parise's stick and into the net, prompting Brent Sutter to say "Big assist by Trav off his face." This left Travis Zajac with 11 stiches on his upper lip. Saturday he managed to remain unscathed (despite the 0-4 loss) yet today at practice he came down with the flu. This flu had been circulating the Devils' locker room, and had indeed seen Zach Parise miss the second period of the Lightning game (but he obviously came back and scored the goal). So my question is, are you trying to kill the poor guy? My best wishes to the third-year center forward and I sincerely hope he survives the season. In all seriousness, get well soon, Trav. If you don't, I will certainly miss you on Thursday, as will the team, undoubtedly.
p.p.s. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you JUSTME!!! You are officially one of my favourite people and I love you and your kind words. Don't ever change. I know I'm a post late with this, but I appreciate you taking your time to read this (if indeed you still are) and I appreciate further you taking the time to respond. I hope to never disappoint you.
p.p.s. Be on the lookout for two new songs, "Who Will" and "You Should've Said Yes" coming soon.
So much for not a long entry, huh?
I do realize it's been...over a month since my last post (quite the theme lately), and I apologize sincerely. Because of the depressing quality of my last two posts, I had hoped I would write a happy-themed post for you hot off the heels of "The Things You Loved," so just imagine that this is hot off the heels. Even if it's a month and 17 days later.
The title of this post is misleading, as I'm not expecting to write a particularly long entry. It is, in fact, the name of the song. But before I get there, you know that I like to discuss a few talking points in country music that have come up in the last little while. The most important of which is the fact that the nominees for the ACM (Academy of Country Music) Awards have been released. Me being a diehard fan, of course, I received my own personal email from the Academy itself last week. I won't cover all categories here, just the most important ones:
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Top Male Vocalist
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
Top Female Vocalist
Miranda Lambert
Heidi Newfield
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack
For all other nominees, including Top New Artist (which is fan-voted this year, nominees separated by gender--you can vote online), Top Vocal Group, Top Vocal Duo, Single Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, among others, I entreat you to visit <http://www.acmcountry.com/awards/nominees.php>.
There were also the Grammys, but as those awards are not specifically about country music (and because, to be honest, I recorded them but haven't watched them yet), I won't delve too deeply. Just to say, I know that Taylor Swift sang "Fifteen" with Miley Cyrus and that Brad Paisley won for "Letter to Me." Other than that, I do believe the country categories were overshadowed by the Rihanna-Chris Brown contratomb as well as the breakthrough news that Blink-182 will be coming back together. So yay Blink-182.
"White Horse" has come out as a music video, starring Stephen Colletti, of "One Tree Hill" fame (he is the second OTH actor to appear in a Taylor Swift music video, the first being Tyler Hilton in "Teardrops on my Guitar"). It is quite lovely, but not on iTunes as of yet.
"One Long Entry" was sort of a manifestation of the fact that I've really been neglecting writing in my diary. I wrote this song in early December, and I still hadn't written anything about the November 4th election. It is now nearing the end of February, and I can proudly say that I have. Finally. Be that as it may, however, this song is happy, cute, and infectious to the point where it makes me sick. So please, if it's lame, cheesy, or a combination of both, bear with me. With that in mind, here is "One Long Entry:"
One Long Entry
there's a little notebook by my bed
there's nothing there that Daddy hasn't read
and nothin' that will cause my mama shame
but I told him that I liked him and he said the same
and right in that moment, my world changed
CHORUS:
now I owe my diary one long entry
devoted to a story of the boy and me
it's been a month since I wrote last
can't believe so much time has passed
I know, I know, I know my diary's waiting
but so is he, outside my window
so oh well, maybe tomorrow
it'll take 30 sheets and a brand new pen
and a ton of time I'll waste without him
my last entry, is that what I wrote then
"his eyes are nice and his smile never ends"
CHORUS:
now I owe my diary one long entry
devoted to a story of the boy and me
it's been three months since I wrote last
can't believe so much time has passed
I know, I know, I know my diary's waiting
but so is he, outside my window
so I'm sorry, maybe tomorrow
BRIDGE:
I need time to have it all sink in
before I see it there in my writing
but I owe my diary one long entry
devoted to a story of the boy and me
laying out on his truck just the two of us
or the time we got lost and came home late
I know, I know, I know my diary's waiting
but so is he, outside my window
so I'm sorry, maybe tomorrow
tomorrow he'll be out of town
so that's my time to sit right down
grab a brand new pen and finally
write that one long long entry...
I hadn't read that song since I wrote it, so naturally I edited a few lines (mostly the beginning, which is the hardest part of any lyrics for me to write), but I kept everything else. If you notice, there's a LOT more country exuding from the lyrics here. For example, saying "mama" and "nothin'"and the general bad grammar and "laying out on his truck" and the melody in my head that's playing as I read this song (which of course you can't hear, but...). I can hear Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland singing this song. Which is a positive thing for me. But enough about what I think about the song. I wanna know what you hear/see/like/hate about this song!
Much much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. I want to say a few words about hockey here. Specifically New Jersey Devils hockey. Like, how ANGRY with Brent Sutter (whom, by the way, I adore and who makes me smile) I was when he played Scott Clemmensen in goal instead of Kevin Weekes on Saturday against the Islanders (the worst team in the league, with the lowest point total), leading to the second 0-4 shutout in three games. Play Kevin Weekes! He deserves it, because he and Clemmer should be considered equals when Martin Brodeur is gone. I certainly consider them equals. And then when future Hall-of-Famer Marty returns, spare him as much as possible so that he saves his energy/strength/etc for the playoffs. We could go far.
I also want to address Travis Zajac. Poor, poor Travis Zajac. On Sunday (a brilliant 6-5 win over the San Jose Sharks), he was hit in the face by a high stick from his teammate wearing number 24, defenseman Bryce Salvador. He was left with stiches on his nose and a partial black eye. Four days and two games later, on Thursday (a hard-fought 3-2 shootout win over the Tampa Bay Lightning), he took a puck to the face on a shot by his captain, Jamie Langenbrunner; a shot which, I might add, found its way off Pop's stick and Trav's face onto Zach Parise's stick and into the net, prompting Brent Sutter to say "Big assist by Trav off his face." This left Travis Zajac with 11 stiches on his upper lip. Saturday he managed to remain unscathed (despite the 0-4 loss) yet today at practice he came down with the flu. This flu had been circulating the Devils' locker room, and had indeed seen Zach Parise miss the second period of the Lightning game (but he obviously came back and scored the goal). So my question is, are you trying to kill the poor guy? My best wishes to the third-year center forward and I sincerely hope he survives the season. In all seriousness, get well soon, Trav. If you don't, I will certainly miss you on Thursday, as will the team, undoubtedly.
p.p.s. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you JUSTME!!! You are officially one of my favourite people and I love you and your kind words. Don't ever change. I know I'm a post late with this, but I appreciate you taking your time to read this (if indeed you still are) and I appreciate further you taking the time to respond. I hope to never disappoint you.
p.p.s. Be on the lookout for two new songs, "Who Will" and "You Should've Said Yes" coming soon.
So much for not a long entry, huh?
07 January 2009
The Things He Loved
Happy New Year 2009!
I apologize for not having written since 6 December, but first of all I hadn't written anything refined to post, and second I realized that I had 19 posts for the year 2008 and since 19 is my lucky number (and my favourite) I decided to leave it at that.
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday(s) and is looking forward to a prosperous, exciting, and healthy new year.
Today I wish to dedicate this post to my Uncle Henry. Not my blood uncle, but a family friend so close he could've been. (It's taking me ages to get to the next sentence.) Last night, my parents told me and my sister that he died. I'm still in shock, and I can't get it through my head that he's gone. It doesn't make sense to me at all. My mom began telling us all these things he'd gone through, and how he was in debt and depressed, and I realized I didn't want to know because I'd always remember him as the happy-go-lucky guy with a childlike joy in everything and not as anything else. (Today I found out that he killed himself, which is the one piece to the puzzle that makes the least sense and is the strongest detail that makes me not able to process this.)
I'll just tell a little about him, before I post the song. Uncle Henry lived in Florida, and we drove down to see him once a year, during April break. He was wonderful. It's easy to venerate someone, make someone holy, after his/her death, but with him it's deserved. Uncle Henry loved to cook. The first thing I ever did with him was cook, the first time we went to Florida. Peanut Butter Soup. It was disgusting. But he got better, and he introduced us to specialties like mole, pronounced mo-LAY (chocolate chicken with hominy...WONDERFUL!). I remember once he was making a potato dish, and my mom asked him how much time he'd need for it. He replied, "No thyme, just rosemary." Get it? Another thing he loved was music. He played the piano and the violin, and during that week that we were there, my sister and I would play duets with him, on the piano, and he and I would duet on the violin (my off-tune screeching a sharp contrast from his melodic tones), and then he would play for us. My two favourite pieces he played were "Solace," by Scott Joplin (but really he was spectacular with any Joplin piece, like "Maple Leaf Rag," and he taught me how to play "The Entertainer."), and any Dave Brubeck piece, like "Take Five" or "Blue Rondo A La Turk." Uncle Henry loved to garden, which was the first thing he would take us to see after we unloaded the car when we arrived. His garden consisted of 4 boxes, with green wooden walls, where he put as much as he could, herbs next to flowers, and tomatoes between the purslane plants. He had so many cats, Snowbunny and Snickers and Ruth and Natasha and lastly, Mokey. He always spoke to Natasha in Russian, I remember. He loved to learn new languages, even if he hadn't quite mastered the last one he'd begun. Obviously, he knew English, and then Russian, German, Czech, and Chinese (Mandarin). One particularly fond memory I have is of the two of us reading the first Harry Potter book, which he read in German and I would read the same passage in English, thus translating it essentially. Every year, we always had a new arts and crafts project we'd do together. He was more like a child who just happened to be grown up. He also loved to snorkel and scuba dive. He lived in Florida, after all. Actually, Uncle Henry was originally from South Dakota, the youngest child (and when I say youngest, I mean his siblings were over 20 when he was born and his parents were close to 70). He didn't have any children, but he had been married to Aunt Robbin for a while, though they were in the process of divorcing for the past year. He was 45.
My mom told us yesterday that Uncle Henry used to say that the week we were down in Florida with him was the highlight of his year.
The last time I saw him was June 2006, when he came up for my sister's graduation from high school. (I guess that's another reason I can't get my mind around the fact that Uncle Henry is dead (oh my god I just wrote that holy mackerel), I don't have closure.)
So all last night phrases were rolling through my mind, and I knew I would write a song about him. Even though, now that I think about it, none of the phrases in my mind made their way into the final draft. Songwriters always talk about how easy a song is to write (for example, Darius Rucker has in his liner notes that his song, "All I Want," was written within a few moments of meeting his producer, the amazing Frank Rodgers) but this song wrote itself. Believe that.
The Things He Loved
you were cooking in the kitchen When i first saw you
i remember it best, making peanut butter soup
we came in Helped, or tried to, in our pajamas
and we laughEd cause we couldn't find the ajowaN
it was the worst soup i ever had but I played along
cauSe you were proud and i'd had fun
the next morning we started a tradition for breakfast
something special, frosTed shredded wheat and half-and-half
you'd always smile, you always laUghed
especially with us on your lap
CHORUS:
and that's what i think of
doin' the things you loved
sunny days, with us by the Beach
you'd take us snorkeling in the sea
coconut ice cream, and all your cats
you showed us your garden in the Back
then the piano, or the violin,
i remEmber the old accorDion
every year a new language
and then we'd do arts and crafts
that's what i looked forward to
doin' the things you loved with you
you caMe up to stay with us one fall
we made a halloween gingerbread house and had a ball
you went out jogging and were gone for half the daY
came home then told us how you got losT along the way
another time you came up for business
and drOve three hours to come see us
it was a blizzard but you came anyway
we all thought you were crazy but lovEd you anyway
CHORUS:
and that's what i think of
doin' the things you loved
south dakota weather, the snow
wearin' a light jacket in the cold
collectin' acorns to bring back home
your mole and hot Potato salad
any brubeck or joplIn ballad
playEd on the piano, or violin
i remember the old accoRdion
and eveRy year a new languagE
that's what i looked forward to
doin' the things you loved with you
BRIDGE:
i'd know if My parents ever lied
they sat us down grAvely and I knew
but when i asked, "who died?"
i never dreamed it would be you
CHORUS:
so now that's what i think of
you doin' the things you LovEd
showin' us your garDen so proudly
i loved the passion fruit and the allspice tree
there were the rose apples, and the coffee
momMY'd make a Fresh salad we'd eat
sit on the patio, listening to the Radio
coconut ice cream, and all your cats
and all the while we laughed and laughed
that's what we all looked forward to
doIn' the things you loved with you
the last time i saw you you were up here
and you had carriEd rocks in your luggage all the way here
but they were painted, a snake, a turtle and two ladybugs
you left them here for us
and we stayed up late listeNing to an opera
and you knew all the words to carmina burana
you'll always be the only one i ever knew
who'd sing o fortuna* on the way to the pool
and i'm glaD we got to do the things you loved with you
*perhaps the most famous aria from Carl Orff's opera, Carmina Burana. However, the opera referenced in the line "and we stayed up late listening to an opera" is Bedrich Smetana's "Prodana Nevesta" (The Bartered Bride).
Much love, and today I thank Uncle Henry for the musik.
NBK
p.s. If you find all the capitalized letters, they should spell out a joke of the family's. Something we always did with Uncle Henry was "use a word in a sentence." For example, (and this is a lame example), the word "sandwich": "There was a clam lying in the sand, which had been there for many days." Or, let's say, heaven forbid you'd want to use Seinfeld in a sentence. "Oh look! The sign fell down." My sister and I would always try to think of the hardest words, but he'd always figure something out. Maybe he worked on it for the whole day, but he'd figure it out. There was one word, however, he never did figure out, the word "topiary." My sister eventually made up a sentence. And that sentence is what is hidden there. It is the only sentence from this game that any of us ever remembered.
p.p.s. His obituary can be found here: http://www.legacy.com/PalmBeachPost/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=118383178 or here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/9725090/Henry-Gugel-Obituary (the latter has a picture, otherwise, it's the same). But like I said, I remember Uncle Henry the way he was when he was around us.
I apologize for not having written since 6 December, but first of all I hadn't written anything refined to post, and second I realized that I had 19 posts for the year 2008 and since 19 is my lucky number (and my favourite) I decided to leave it at that.
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday(s) and is looking forward to a prosperous, exciting, and healthy new year.
Today I wish to dedicate this post to my Uncle Henry. Not my blood uncle, but a family friend so close he could've been. (It's taking me ages to get to the next sentence.) Last night, my parents told me and my sister that he died. I'm still in shock, and I can't get it through my head that he's gone. It doesn't make sense to me at all. My mom began telling us all these things he'd gone through, and how he was in debt and depressed, and I realized I didn't want to know because I'd always remember him as the happy-go-lucky guy with a childlike joy in everything and not as anything else. (Today I found out that he killed himself, which is the one piece to the puzzle that makes the least sense and is the strongest detail that makes me not able to process this.)
I'll just tell a little about him, before I post the song. Uncle Henry lived in Florida, and we drove down to see him once a year, during April break. He was wonderful. It's easy to venerate someone, make someone holy, after his/her death, but with him it's deserved. Uncle Henry loved to cook. The first thing I ever did with him was cook, the first time we went to Florida. Peanut Butter Soup. It was disgusting. But he got better, and he introduced us to specialties like mole, pronounced mo-LAY (chocolate chicken with hominy...WONDERFUL!). I remember once he was making a potato dish, and my mom asked him how much time he'd need for it. He replied, "No thyme, just rosemary." Get it? Another thing he loved was music. He played the piano and the violin, and during that week that we were there, my sister and I would play duets with him, on the piano, and he and I would duet on the violin (my off-tune screeching a sharp contrast from his melodic tones), and then he would play for us. My two favourite pieces he played were "Solace," by Scott Joplin (but really he was spectacular with any Joplin piece, like "Maple Leaf Rag," and he taught me how to play "The Entertainer."), and any Dave Brubeck piece, like "Take Five" or "Blue Rondo A La Turk." Uncle Henry loved to garden, which was the first thing he would take us to see after we unloaded the car when we arrived. His garden consisted of 4 boxes, with green wooden walls, where he put as much as he could, herbs next to flowers, and tomatoes between the purslane plants. He had so many cats, Snowbunny and Snickers and Ruth and Natasha and lastly, Mokey. He always spoke to Natasha in Russian, I remember. He loved to learn new languages, even if he hadn't quite mastered the last one he'd begun. Obviously, he knew English, and then Russian, German, Czech, and Chinese (Mandarin). One particularly fond memory I have is of the two of us reading the first Harry Potter book, which he read in German and I would read the same passage in English, thus translating it essentially. Every year, we always had a new arts and crafts project we'd do together. He was more like a child who just happened to be grown up. He also loved to snorkel and scuba dive. He lived in Florida, after all. Actually, Uncle Henry was originally from South Dakota, the youngest child (and when I say youngest, I mean his siblings were over 20 when he was born and his parents were close to 70). He didn't have any children, but he had been married to Aunt Robbin for a while, though they were in the process of divorcing for the past year. He was 45.
My mom told us yesterday that Uncle Henry used to say that the week we were down in Florida with him was the highlight of his year.
The last time I saw him was June 2006, when he came up for my sister's graduation from high school. (I guess that's another reason I can't get my mind around the fact that Uncle Henry is dead (oh my god I just wrote that holy mackerel), I don't have closure.)
So all last night phrases were rolling through my mind, and I knew I would write a song about him. Even though, now that I think about it, none of the phrases in my mind made their way into the final draft. Songwriters always talk about how easy a song is to write (for example, Darius Rucker has in his liner notes that his song, "All I Want," was written within a few moments of meeting his producer, the amazing Frank Rodgers) but this song wrote itself. Believe that.
The Things He Loved
you were cooking in the kitchen When i first saw you
i remember it best, making peanut butter soup
we came in Helped, or tried to, in our pajamas
and we laughEd cause we couldn't find the ajowaN
it was the worst soup i ever had but I played along
cauSe you were proud and i'd had fun
the next morning we started a tradition for breakfast
something special, frosTed shredded wheat and half-and-half
you'd always smile, you always laUghed
especially with us on your lap
CHORUS:
and that's what i think of
doin' the things you loved
sunny days, with us by the Beach
you'd take us snorkeling in the sea
coconut ice cream, and all your cats
you showed us your garden in the Back
then the piano, or the violin,
i remEmber the old accorDion
every year a new language
and then we'd do arts and crafts
that's what i looked forward to
doin' the things you loved with you
you caMe up to stay with us one fall
we made a halloween gingerbread house and had a ball
you went out jogging and were gone for half the daY
came home then told us how you got losT along the way
another time you came up for business
and drOve three hours to come see us
it was a blizzard but you came anyway
we all thought you were crazy but lovEd you anyway
CHORUS:
and that's what i think of
doin' the things you loved
south dakota weather, the snow
wearin' a light jacket in the cold
collectin' acorns to bring back home
your mole and hot Potato salad
any brubeck or joplIn ballad
playEd on the piano, or violin
i remember the old accoRdion
and eveRy year a new languagE
that's what i looked forward to
doin' the things you loved with you
BRIDGE:
i'd know if My parents ever lied
they sat us down grAvely and I knew
but when i asked, "who died?"
i never dreamed it would be you
CHORUS:
so now that's what i think of
you doin' the things you LovEd
showin' us your garDen so proudly
i loved the passion fruit and the allspice tree
there were the rose apples, and the coffee
momMY'd make a Fresh salad we'd eat
sit on the patio, listening to the Radio
coconut ice cream, and all your cats
and all the while we laughed and laughed
that's what we all looked forward to
doIn' the things you loved with you
the last time i saw you you were up here
and you had carriEd rocks in your luggage all the way here
but they were painted, a snake, a turtle and two ladybugs
you left them here for us
and we stayed up late listeNing to an opera
and you knew all the words to carmina burana
you'll always be the only one i ever knew
who'd sing o fortuna* on the way to the pool
and i'm glaD we got to do the things you loved with you
*perhaps the most famous aria from Carl Orff's opera, Carmina Burana. However, the opera referenced in the line "and we stayed up late listening to an opera" is Bedrich Smetana's "Prodana Nevesta" (The Bartered Bride).
Much love, and today I thank Uncle Henry for the musik.
NBK
p.s. If you find all the capitalized letters, they should spell out a joke of the family's. Something we always did with Uncle Henry was "use a word in a sentence." For example, (and this is a lame example), the word "sandwich": "There was a clam lying in the sand, which had been there for many days." Or, let's say, heaven forbid you'd want to use Seinfeld in a sentence. "Oh look! The sign fell down." My sister and I would always try to think of the hardest words, but he'd always figure something out. Maybe he worked on it for the whole day, but he'd figure it out. There was one word, however, he never did figure out, the word "topiary." My sister eventually made up a sentence. And that sentence is what is hidden there. It is the only sentence from this game that any of us ever remembered.
p.p.s. His obituary can be found here: http://www.legacy.com/PalmBeachPost/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=118383178 or here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/9725090/Henry-Gugel-Obituary (the latter has a picture, otherwise, it's the same). But like I said, I remember Uncle Henry the way he was when he was around us.
06 December 2008
Do You Feel Safer Now
Hi there.
I know I haven't written in nearly a month, but I'll make up for it with what I think is one of my best songs, I promise.
The day after Fearless came out were the CMA (Country Music Association) Awards. They were brilliant. I loved watching every minute of it. The hosts were Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, and the former opened with his new single featuring Keith Urban, "Start a Band." The thing with those two is that they are the best guitar players in country music (if not in all of music) that together they burn up the stage, while looking as though they are having such fun. The next performance was Kellie Pickler with "Best Days of Your Life," which she co-wrote with Taylor Swift; it's a really fun song, and she performed it with vivacity. Then was Alan Jackson having a "Good Time." Too bad I don't really like this song, because I love Alan Jackson. After Alan was the incredible Miranda Lambert (who has the most beautiful voice), singing "More Like Her," which has such a beautiful melody. Lady Antebellum sang next, with their hit "Love Don't Live Here," a really nice song that catapulted the group to stardom. The next two numbers didn't really make an impression on me, Martina McBride's "Ride" and Rodney Atkins' "It's America," which was really a shame because the former has such a lovely voice and the latter is one of my favourite men of country. Then was Taylor Swift with the amazing "Love Story." Before the last verse, she changed dresses halfway and then as she was singing the last part, the guy (Justin Gaston) from the video came out; but my favourite part was when she hit the mic on one of the posts she had there. I encourage you to check it out. The next singer surprised me tremendously, Kid Rock (who knew he sang country?) with "All Summer Long." The song is terrific. Ironically, I was looking at a video of Travis Zajac's hockey highlights (it was lame) the next day on youtube, and the song playing in the background was this one. Next was the immortal George Strait, whose song name I unfortunately didn't catch, but you can be sure it was wonderful (it's George Strait, how could it be anything else?). Then was Jason Aldean with "She's Country." The lyrics were okay, but it had a great guitar line. Brooks and Dunn were next, with Reba McIntire, singing "Cowgirls Don't Cry," a song which nearly made me cry. After this was Darrius Rucker, with his fantastic first country single "Don't Think I Don't Think About It." I just about screamed when they announced him, because I love love love him. (For those who don't know, he used to be the lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish.) I practically screamed again for the next performance, Brad Paisley's "Waiting on a Woman," which was on his album Time Well Wasted but re-released with a music video. He is simply perfect, in every way. Keith Urban performed "Sweet Thing," which was lovely and is his new single. Next was Carrie Underwood, whose "Just a Dream" was introduced by a widower whose late husband was killed in Iraq (which ensured that there was not a dry eye in the audience before the song even began...although I have to say I didn't even tear up, I've listened to the song so many times that I'm immune). After Carrie was the spectacular band Sugarland, whom I "Love." I think it's a weaker song on their part, but Jennifer Nettles proved me wrong. Except what the hell was she wearing? James Otto was next, with his breakout song "Just Got Started Lovin' You." Aside from Josh Turner, he has the deepest voice in country currently, I believe. Kenny Chesney sang next, with his new single "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven," not my favourite of his songs, but his stage presence is incomparable. Then was Trace Adkins, with his sentimental "You're Gonna Miss This," which is one of my favourite song ever. The Eagles closed the show with "Busy Bein' Fabulous," a song I like but whose video makes no sense to me (where did the monkey come from? why do the women start looking at each other so strangely?).
And of course, the night was about the awards, the presentations of which were interspersed between musical numbers-
Musician of the Year: Mac McAnally
Music Video of the Year: "Waitin' on a Woman," Brad Paisley (when has he NOT won this?)
Musical Event of the Year: "Gone Gone Gone," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Song of the Year: "Stay," Jennifer Nettles (well-deserved)
Album of the Year: Troubadour, George Strait
Single of the Year: "I Saw God Today," George Strait
Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland (duh)
Vocal Group of the Year: Rascal Flatts (again, duh)
New Artist of the Year: Lady Antebellum (I was hoping for Kellie Pickler, but yay LA, too)
Male Vocalist of the Year: Brad Paisley (!!!!)
Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood
and...Entertainer of the Year: Kenny Chesney (who has a running streak of this category at the CMAs and at the ACMs)
The song I am going to post will not win Single of the Year, or Song of the Year or anything, but you can bet I love it anyway. It was conceived when I was brushing my teeth (like that's not weird or anything) and I was thinking about the incomparable feeling of just pure safety people feel in someone else's arms, and it began taking shape in my mind, although the final draft is nothing like the first version, except for the first verse. It's the first time I feel really exposed with a song, because I love to keep the memory in the second verse and the bridge to myself, but it just fit nicely in the song. With that said, he never pulled over and hugged me, I was sitting in the back seat.
Do You Feel Safer Now
I woke up crying when I was five
the guys in black were in my mind
death was the one thing I was afraid of
and even more for those I loved
I lay there crying and I called for daddy
and I knew with love he'd save me
he came in sleepily and pulled me in his arms
CHORUS:
and said do you feel safer now
it's okay, you can get up when you fall down
hold on tight, here comes the world
but I'm here, you'll always be my little girl
do you feel better now
someone will always be around
to hold you like this, and ask do you feel safer now
five years later I'm in the car with my friend's dad
and thoughts I have are making me sad
like I don't want to grow up too fast
and I want my childhood to last and last
I told him that I was really scared
cause those I love someday won't be there
he pulled over and pulled me in his arms
CHORUS:
and said do you feel safer now
you can get up when you fall down
hold on tight, here comes the world
but in your heart, you'll always be a little girl
do you feel better now
someone will always be around
to hold you like this and ask do you feel safer now
(softly)
BRIDGE:
my friend's dad was killed that September
at his funeral they asked us to remember him
but I can't connect him to the towers' fall
cause when I think of him, I recall
when he pulled over and pulled me in his arms
CHORUS:
and said do you feel safer now
it's okay, you can get up when you fall down
hold on tight, here comes the world
but in your heart, you'll always be a little girl
always be a little girl
do you feel safer now
someone will always be around
to hold you like this and ask do you feel safer now
do you feel safer now
I feel safer now
I feel safer now...
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. "White Horse" is Taylor's new single. In case you were wondering.
p.p.s. Congratulations to Livingston High School on their win in the State Championships for football this afternoon, 28-8 over Hackensack. I was there, with my dad. It was cold, but a tremendously fun game.
I know I haven't written in nearly a month, but I'll make up for it with what I think is one of my best songs, I promise.
The day after Fearless came out were the CMA (Country Music Association) Awards. They were brilliant. I loved watching every minute of it. The hosts were Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, and the former opened with his new single featuring Keith Urban, "Start a Band." The thing with those two is that they are the best guitar players in country music (if not in all of music) that together they burn up the stage, while looking as though they are having such fun. The next performance was Kellie Pickler with "Best Days of Your Life," which she co-wrote with Taylor Swift; it's a really fun song, and she performed it with vivacity. Then was Alan Jackson having a "Good Time." Too bad I don't really like this song, because I love Alan Jackson. After Alan was the incredible Miranda Lambert (who has the most beautiful voice), singing "More Like Her," which has such a beautiful melody. Lady Antebellum sang next, with their hit "Love Don't Live Here," a really nice song that catapulted the group to stardom. The next two numbers didn't really make an impression on me, Martina McBride's "Ride" and Rodney Atkins' "It's America," which was really a shame because the former has such a lovely voice and the latter is one of my favourite men of country. Then was Taylor Swift with the amazing "Love Story." Before the last verse, she changed dresses halfway and then as she was singing the last part, the guy (Justin Gaston) from the video came out; but my favourite part was when she hit the mic on one of the posts she had there. I encourage you to check it out. The next singer surprised me tremendously, Kid Rock (who knew he sang country?) with "All Summer Long." The song is terrific. Ironically, I was looking at a video of Travis Zajac's hockey highlights (it was lame) the next day on youtube, and the song playing in the background was this one. Next was the immortal George Strait, whose song name I unfortunately didn't catch, but you can be sure it was wonderful (it's George Strait, how could it be anything else?). Then was Jason Aldean with "She's Country." The lyrics were okay, but it had a great guitar line. Brooks and Dunn were next, with Reba McIntire, singing "Cowgirls Don't Cry," a song which nearly made me cry. After this was Darrius Rucker, with his fantastic first country single "Don't Think I Don't Think About It." I just about screamed when they announced him, because I love love love him. (For those who don't know, he used to be the lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish.) I practically screamed again for the next performance, Brad Paisley's "Waiting on a Woman," which was on his album Time Well Wasted but re-released with a music video. He is simply perfect, in every way. Keith Urban performed "Sweet Thing," which was lovely and is his new single. Next was Carrie Underwood, whose "Just a Dream" was introduced by a widower whose late husband was killed in Iraq (which ensured that there was not a dry eye in the audience before the song even began...although I have to say I didn't even tear up, I've listened to the song so many times that I'm immune). After Carrie was the spectacular band Sugarland, whom I "Love." I think it's a weaker song on their part, but Jennifer Nettles proved me wrong. Except what the hell was she wearing? James Otto was next, with his breakout song "Just Got Started Lovin' You." Aside from Josh Turner, he has the deepest voice in country currently, I believe. Kenny Chesney sang next, with his new single "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven," not my favourite of his songs, but his stage presence is incomparable. Then was Trace Adkins, with his sentimental "You're Gonna Miss This," which is one of my favourite song ever. The Eagles closed the show with "Busy Bein' Fabulous," a song I like but whose video makes no sense to me (where did the monkey come from? why do the women start looking at each other so strangely?).
And of course, the night was about the awards, the presentations of which were interspersed between musical numbers-
Musician of the Year: Mac McAnally
Music Video of the Year: "Waitin' on a Woman," Brad Paisley (when has he NOT won this?)
Musical Event of the Year: "Gone Gone Gone," Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Song of the Year: "Stay," Jennifer Nettles (well-deserved)
Album of the Year: Troubadour, George Strait
Single of the Year: "I Saw God Today," George Strait
Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland (duh)
Vocal Group of the Year: Rascal Flatts (again, duh)
New Artist of the Year: Lady Antebellum (I was hoping for Kellie Pickler, but yay LA, too)
Male Vocalist of the Year: Brad Paisley (!!!!)
Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood
and...Entertainer of the Year: Kenny Chesney (who has a running streak of this category at the CMAs and at the ACMs)
The song I am going to post will not win Single of the Year, or Song of the Year or anything, but you can bet I love it anyway. It was conceived when I was brushing my teeth (like that's not weird or anything) and I was thinking about the incomparable feeling of just pure safety people feel in someone else's arms, and it began taking shape in my mind, although the final draft is nothing like the first version, except for the first verse. It's the first time I feel really exposed with a song, because I love to keep the memory in the second verse and the bridge to myself, but it just fit nicely in the song. With that said, he never pulled over and hugged me, I was sitting in the back seat.
Do You Feel Safer Now
I woke up crying when I was five
the guys in black were in my mind
death was the one thing I was afraid of
and even more for those I loved
I lay there crying and I called for daddy
and I knew with love he'd save me
he came in sleepily and pulled me in his arms
CHORUS:
and said do you feel safer now
it's okay, you can get up when you fall down
hold on tight, here comes the world
but I'm here, you'll always be my little girl
do you feel better now
someone will always be around
to hold you like this, and ask do you feel safer now
five years later I'm in the car with my friend's dad
and thoughts I have are making me sad
like I don't want to grow up too fast
and I want my childhood to last and last
I told him that I was really scared
cause those I love someday won't be there
he pulled over and pulled me in his arms
CHORUS:
and said do you feel safer now
you can get up when you fall down
hold on tight, here comes the world
but in your heart, you'll always be a little girl
do you feel better now
someone will always be around
to hold you like this and ask do you feel safer now
(softly)
BRIDGE:
my friend's dad was killed that September
at his funeral they asked us to remember him
but I can't connect him to the towers' fall
cause when I think of him, I recall
when he pulled over and pulled me in his arms
CHORUS:
and said do you feel safer now
it's okay, you can get up when you fall down
hold on tight, here comes the world
but in your heart, you'll always be a little girl
always be a little girl
do you feel safer now
someone will always be around
to hold you like this and ask do you feel safer now
do you feel safer now
I feel safer now
I feel safer now...
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. "White Horse" is Taylor's new single. In case you were wondering.
p.p.s. Congratulations to Livingston High School on their win in the State Championships for football this afternoon, 28-8 over Hackensack. I was there, with my dad. It was cold, but a tremendously fun game.
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