28 March 2004

Some musical selections for March, 2004

Thought I'd share some things we have been listening to that might not be so common. You can read more about the particular album or artist by going to the All Music Guide, which my Mr refers to for most music purchasing decisions, and I'd recommend to any music buffs.
My choices today are not particularly contemporary...

"Five Leaves Left" by Nick Drake:
This was released in the late '60s, and is kind of a melancholy folk music.
Perfect for grey, rainy days. Also perfect for putting on late at night when you are trying to get to sleep. Evokes all sorts of images in my mind, but mostly of country manors and green English fields.

Serge Gainsbourg (a compilation called "Initials SG"):
Think Austin Powers, only French!! I am choosing this mainly for novelty value, and am not sure if this album will be a stayer for me. His most famous soing is probably "Je T'Aime...Moi Non Plus", a very raunchy song that must have been outrageous when released in the 60's. Gainsbourg was an Anglophile, and tended to use English words in his songs, which are quaintly spoken with French accents in amongst the rest of the French Lyric. He often does duets with women, such as Brigitte Bardot, Jane Birkin. Listen to this album, and you'll instantly recognise a few more recent bands that have been influenced by them: Blur ("Parklife"), Air ("Moon Safari").

24 March 2004

Wrung out

Them
Life for us is tough
Everyone is making us comply at every angle
So you sit up and listen to our issues.

Me
Wrung out,
Too emotionally involved.

Them
Sit down, and let me tell you what it’s like for us
I’m not disturbing your lunch am I?
It’s all a conspiracy, to suck more money out of our pockets and into theirs.

Me
Wrung out,
Take it too much to heart.

Them
And then there was that time when that really unfair thing happened
And that time when your predecessors’ predecessor did something unfair to us
So of course you might do the same thing, despite what you say

Me
Wrung out,
Even when there is nothing I can do.

23 March 2004

Times of change = times of vivid dreaming

Not surprising to find that this time in my life - where lots of change is happening - that the vivid dreams start happening.

Last night, I dreamt that me and 3 men parachuted into WW2 Germany. Only problem was that when we landed, 2 of the men had plain kilts on. It occurred to me that they might stand out as being Scottish. We pressed on nonetheless, and went into a large store to buy supplies and plain coats. It then occurred to me that I was wearing a kilt also - tartan. I wondered if we could get away without being noticed. Suddenly the kilted men did a runner and everyone else was chasing them. The other man and I decided to go out the back way. I ran out into grassed areas and headed for the woods, now alone. I knew I had to get out, but only had a parachute!

Before you criticise my subconscious for its strangeness, there are a few symbolic things in that dream that I easily recognise for what they are... New job will almost definitely be male-dominated field. Parachute sybolises dropping into somewhere different - if you really think about it, my new work place is in some ways opposite to where I work now - "behind enemy lines". I suspect the male company and kilts are exploring the archetypal gender roles, and my degree of comfort when working with men and my own (male) animus.

Not so wierd now, eh? Was all in a WW2 setting because I have been reading and watching a lot about this topic over the past year. "Charlotte Gray", eat your heart out!

Can't focus on future role much in waking hours - so much to do before I leave, but my brain goes and does it in my sleep! Cool!

16 March 2004

drive-time entertainment...

Will soon be faced with commutes to and from work by car for the first time in 4 years. Need ideas for things to keep me entertained, given that reading is out of the question!
Some of my ideas:
- put entire cd collection on rotation
- discover obscure radio stations
- take dictaphone and make "notes to self" when they occur to me

Will also need to look into car-pooling. Gee - so much to do.

12 March 2004

Well that wasn't how I planned it....

Seems like I have unofficially resigned. Wasn't ready to, but boss is away for next 2 weeks and kind of had to. Might as well post it here now!
Felt my bottom lip tremble a bit. When am I going to stop being prone to tears in innappropriate moments? I suppose the good thing is it was only lip trembling.
I will probably enjoy my weekend without a weight on my shoulders. A good thing.
Whew.