It has been so long, but mark my words this is something that I've been wanting to do. I try to read Amanda Palmer's blog as often as it is updated and it is so inspiring. Every time I read it I learn something new, or get new insight about a certain topic, or am just left thinking and I think that that is SO powerful. I love to write and I love to read, I've lost sight of both of those things and will be attempting to retake them while I have a long break from school. I am not limiting this sort of output to a blog. I'm also going to get my YouTube channel back up and running and have been flirting with the idea of VEDIM (Vlog Every Day in May). So, we'll see what the future has in store.

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Typically I hate these sort of Facebook things, but secretly I think they are good ideas, if we remove the brevity of them. Do not get me wrong I can be funny in 140 characters, but can I really convey something? Yes. People do it all the time. In fact Amanda Palmer does it on the daily via her Twitter account, but I am not so masterful with words. I have a tendency to be long winded and over explain things. A lot of that will happen here, simply because the character limit has been removed. There I go again, I've strayed off topic and have to read back to remember my original point. I found this thirty day song challenge on Facebook and I'll be warping to my own needs. I don't have the attention span to post a single song a day because it's my "favorite" or "least favorite" so I'm going to condense the list, break it into a couple of posts, and actually explain myself. I'm going to attempt to write the explanation of why I chose a certain song while I listen to it! Hopefully when the last notes resound I'll be onto editting and you won't have to read 10,000 words about Sinead O'Connor.

So without further adieu here are five songs from the thirty day song challenge with my added spice.

1. A song that reminds you of a certain event

"Symphony 5- Was a Surprise," by Emily Wells

It was the summer going in my junior years of high school, I had my drivers license, I had a car, life was good and I was feeling like this was my first taste of "total freedom" though looking back it was something quite different. It was a point in my life where I was becoming unsatisfied with what I had discovered up to that point. Enter Emily Wells, a classically trained violinist with a melancholy voice who loves rapping! What an odd combination! I'd like to say she spread like wildfire through my friends, but she still hasn't. That isn't to say though, that I didn't have friends who at least would listen to her. Enter Amber, we decided that we were going to do something fun and crazy and went to Emily Well's show at the Majestic Cafe in Detroit. How familiar you are with Detroit will probably help you with this, but the Majestic Cafe is almost directly under Detroit Mercy Hospital (translation: the hood). I still cite this show as the best thing that has ever happened to me musically. I'm not kidding when I say this concert changed my life and I don't think that I only speak for myself when I say this was the best song in her set. I wish that I could find a better live recording off it, because she is so much better live than on the album. I suggest that you go check out some of her other live work here and here. (Note: That actually took about five minutes, which the original live version of the song that I found was about that, so I feel like I've still met my own guidelines.)

2. A song that you know all the words to

"Her Ghost in the Fog," by Cradle of Filth

Another huge turning point my adolescent development. I discovered Cradle of Filth in the seventh grade thinking that they had two harsh vocalists, a male and a female, and they were the greatest thing since sliced bread (all wrong). This was on of their first singles to receive commercial success with her album Midian in 2000. Naturally it was one of the first songs by them that I stumbled on because of this. I made it my mission to learn these words, and anyone with familiarity with Cradle of Filth will know that that isn't always an easy task. These words are still partially written on the ceiling above where my bed was in my old bedroom. I got dispirited about writing them, my handwriting was too big, writing upside down was too hard, and the song is LONG, I knew that I didn't give myself enough room. But, I do still know all the words to this song and if by chance you drive by me while I'm alone in my car listening to this track, you'll probably see or hear me singing along.

3. A song from your favorite band

"Insect," by Hammers of Misfortune

So far this has been the hardest song to pick, simply because I was torn between Martha Wainwright and Hammers of Misfortune. I ended up picking Hammers because they're a band and Martha in a singular musician. She is my favorite musician and they are my favorite band, if that makes sense. I also always think it appropriate to explain that NONE of my favorite songs are by either, I cite that as my favorite because I love every song. I picked this song because it is a perfect showcase of what Hammers does and why I love them! A quite intro with chanting-like vocals for an intro and bad ass transition and a glorious arrival. In my opinion the best way to listen to this song is on headphones, turned up to 11, close your eyes and just imagine. Lame, but I think this song is actually perfect for a superhero movie trailer. 0:00- 1:32 showing how the world has come undone and how humans, as a race, cannot win, and then 1:33 on shows the superheros showing up and kicking ass. Sounds like a winner to me.

4. A song that no one expects you to listen to

"Black Friday," by Lil Kim

Honestly, I don't feel like people would be surprised that I listen to this, but it's maybe the most outlandish kind of music compared to the rest of my music collection. I love Lil Kim! I love her attitude! I hate her new face, it scares me! Looking though at the previous song compared to this and not reading the title, I think you might be a little surprised to see this song making the list. In short I love attitude and Kim has a surplus! (P.S. actually watch the video and check out her new face)

That's it for todays installment, and honestly I don't think I'll continue on with this theme. It's served it purpose, but the rest of the list is basically the same things worded differently. If I continue I run the risk of songs reappearing. :P There is one last song that I'm going to post though, for no other reason than I love it. I think that Annie Lennox is perfect and doing a song that I didn't really think could get better. I generally stay pretty true to either the Wainwright's doing it or Leonard Cohen himself, but I'm almost tempted to say they don't hold a candle to this. So PLEASE enjoy it!

I'd love to hear about the music you listen to.

Efd

I'm not always going to rip of Amanda, but for this return it is Edward FUCKING Dolehanty.

THE FUTURE!!!

Sorry that it's been so long, but I've been incredibly busy and lacking motivation. So, now I'm getting to this as I have a paper, scratch that, two papers, I could be writing right now! But, I'm waiting to jump in the shower so I can feel a bit more relaxed and then I'll start them. Even though I know that I'm going to regret staying up so late in the morning. Oh well, I guess that's life.

I suppose the most obvious thing to do would be to talk about why I've been so damn busy. In short, I'm taking on a lot at school, and though I'm certain I can handle it the lack of sleep is starting to interfere a bit. And, as much as I would like to sleep more it's just not in the cards right now. I'm tossing and turning at night sick with worry about everything, and at the same time nothing at all! In fact, things are going pretty good right now, especially considering how they could be! Point is I'm stressing myself out about everyone else and not focusing on me which is against my own mantra of "Me before you, I have to put up with myself more!"

I've never realized how awful that makes me sound, but I don't really care!

At the top of my worries now is college and the future, which I swear is going to cause a mental break down for me at some point! I think that I have my college picked out, which comes after a disastrous run with the guy from Michigan State today. He made the college seem so, inaccessible? (I'm not certain if that's the word I really want) But, I've been to State before, I've stayed the night there, used the showers, etc. I just don't like it. It's not the school for me and I don't think I'm going to lose any sleep over that. I do however love everything about Eastern Michigan and see myself enjoying it very much. Though, I'm not looking forward to paying the application fee. It's not so much that I'm cheap it's just I run on $20 a week, so you could see why $30 is a little hard to do. Especially because I need to have that application in by Friday.

So, with one future problem out of the way I'm still faced with a second: what do I want to study? I know, that I don't HAVE to have this picked out now, but I'd like to have a good idea. It's just the kind of person I am. Yes, I have this narrowed down to two things, but they are so different and it's hard for me to really pick. Also, because everyone thinks both would be a great fit for me they are unable to give me insight beyond, "I think you'd be good and enjoy both". Pisses me off! The first is that I want to Teach History, though the path I would take would be Secondary Education with a Major in Social Studies and a double minor in History and Biology. It may seem a little weird to take a double minor and one in Biology, but it makes me a little more employable with something science on my resume. The second thing that I'm looking into is Health Care Administration, which would lead to me running the business side of a nursing home or hospital. I know this seems really lame. . .but, if I did this I would eventually want to open up a care home in a foreign country where that kind of thing isn't as accessible. xD It's a weird dream but I'd like to think that I'd be contributing in some way.

So, those are what I'm looking into and I have NO clue what to do! Some advice might be good! Even some encouragement or something, I really don't care. I just really want someone to tell me that this will work its self out and I'll grow up to be successful and happy; because right now I'm worrying my ass off about it!

(If you don't have an account on this sight send me responses via Facebook, Myspace (Myspace./hemanthemannequin) or Email (Hemanthemannequin@gmail.com)

Thanks for reading my complaining.

Now, I want to know what your worries are or were when you were my age. :D


Patricia Petibon makes things just that much more bearable.

A pick me up?

I had a short, but stimulating conversation with Sandrik today. We were talking about 1812 Overture and he said, "It gives me chills, brings tears to my eyes, and makes me laugh uncontrollably at sufficiently high volume." In which, I responded, ". . . Well, I think the best kind of music is the music that has the ability to make you feel. ^_^ No matter what the feeling is." And so I wanted to talk about this just a bit. But, I'm just going to use one song, or more one performance of this song.

No matter how bad I feel, I have found that Song to the Moon, composed by Antonin Dvorak and preformed by Lucia Popp. It's only this rendition of the aria that has such an uplifting ability on me. I don't know if it's Lucia's mastery of vocal technique or the sweetness that embodies her timbre. Either way, it has always had a profound effect on me.

I believe that Lucia Popp is preforming the song in Czech, but here are the words in English.

"Silver moon upon the deep dark sky,
Through the vast night pierce your rays.
This sleeping world you wonder by,
Smiling on men's homes and ways.
Oh moon ere past you glide, tell me,
Tell me, oh where does my loved one bide?
Tell him, oh tell him, my silver moon,
Mine are the arms that shall hold him,
That between waking and sleeping
Think of the love that enfolds him.
May between waking and sleeping
Think of the love that enfolds him.
Light his path far away, light his path,
Tell him, oh tell him who does for him stay!
Human soul, should it dream of me,
Let my memory wakened be.
Moon, oh moon, oh do not wane, do not wane,
Moon, oh moon, do not wane..."

This is actually the first time I've read those words as well, and I will admit I enjoy them, but they do nothing for me. It's just the emotion that Lucia Popp has. So, here she is.



(Just as a note here, I don't know if that is going to show up in a block of code or as a video.)


Now, that I have all that out I want to hear the one song that has the power to change whatever mood you're in and uplift it. If you don't mind i'd like to know why as well. :D

I wanted to do this either way.

Well, I suppose this is the start, though what it will amount to will probably be very little. It started because I go to various blogs, two, that I'll link at the bottom, everyday and read what they have to say because I find their words entertaining or even a little motivational. So why not do this myself? Who is to say my thoughts are not as important or insightful as theirs? Or for that matter who is to say your thoughts are not important and insightful. I guess it all be part of that , "some people are better than others" stuff that we all buy into. And, whose to say I've not bought into it as well? Maybe it's something I need to work on. . .

I feel as if I've contradicted myself several times over already. See, this is what happens when I work without Sarah! (Who commonly does all my editing and is responsible for my excessive use of commas!)

So, I just did some investigating. I wanted to see how easily it is to interact with the website, like leave comments on the blog and stuff and it doesn't seem to be to hard so I want to ask a question.

What do you want to see me writing about? In my mind it's going to end up be a collection of weird little things I find, art, music, good books, etc. but also it will be some of my own political views and other ideas like that; and of course what blog wouldn't be complete without some rambling about ones own life. . .and talk of celebrities. So far, five people said they would read my blog. I expect to get five comments at least! (If you don't have a blogger user name or whatever contact me via myspace, facebook, twitter, or email.)

It's late, I'm off to bed!

Blogs I read:
http://anette-olzon.blogspot.com/
That is Anette Olzon, the lead singer of the band Nightwish. She is amazing! She is funny, nice, insightful, entertaining, and throws in a bunch of stuff about fashion! :]

http://www.breaktheillusion.com/
Davey Wavey's blog, which I started to read because I follow him on youtube, he is funny, cute, and VERY insightful. Plus he never has a shirt on and who doens't like that, if you know what I'm saying. :P