No More Shortcuts

I've burned a few bridges on this leg
And have eaten the humblest pie
I've tasted my toes and masqued with egg
Climbing down from my horse so high

It seems that my britches may have shrunk
Coinciding with "Banquet Self"
The poppy-mowing landscaper punk
Knew my pride belongs on the shelf

At last reality's fully checked
Any ruffled feathers were plucked
I'll start at the bottom, EARN respect
And embrace the system I bucked.

PSA for the EQC

Can be sung over the tune of "Special" from Avenue Q.

So, the woman you ALL will want to hear
The Newtown Community Centre is proud to present
Fresh from her world tour, headlining in
Haiti, Japan and Christchurch, New Zealand.
Please give a warm hand to
The star of Mother Nature Fights Back, Quake Safe Your Home and Survive a Tsunami
Lizzie the Safety Officer!


I can help you feel certain
That you’d know what to do
I can help you get ready
For a 7.2

The risks that we face just repeat each day
Think and know when you’d go and where you’d stay
And maybe you feel like, “It won’t hit here.”
But all the same, it’s good to prep some gear.


[Spoken: Yeah, they’re real (while showing the earthquake risk map).]


In other places the earth holds still
And seawater stays in the sea
But you might move to let down your guard
And get fires or flooding in your backyard

Some will accelerando but you can ritard with me
With me…
Others panic and speed up but you can stay calm and ritard with me.

Birth, Death and Disrespectful Idiots

(Tahoenathan's photograph of some Death Valley sand dunes looking East toward Nevada)

The great circle of life still feels scarily close. I don't know why I thought it might just be a strange phenomenon of 2010. I am over the moon for people I know who are starting a family of their own and/or creating precious new additions to their team. Each death of a family member, a friend or a friend's relation affects me in a distinct way, though.

Lately I have been considering the importance and various manners of finding closure. I would imagine that ever since people have died and left survivors rituals have been created to comfort those still alive.

Why do some people feel like nothing will ever matter, again? Why do some choose to push others away? Aren't we able to decide how attached we are to people or events? What is the right balance in the illusion of control or going with the flow of life's challenges?

I could certainly ask myself the last two questions when I encounter people who seem to take everything for granted and act as thought the world revolves around their every whim. Looking at the bigger picture reminds me that they don't have to figure in to my day.

(Public domain image of a cool lightning storm over Boston from NOAA, taken by a Boston Globe photographer)

2010 Reflections

Had to get this started. Off to a New Year's party so I can get home early. I want to ring in the new year with a morning skate. Oh weather, please cooperate.

I had so little to say for so long.

November musings

I can't believe how quickly 2010 went.

Right now I'm feeling bogged down by people masquerading as my friends but not really being there for me in a friendly way.

This too shall pass.

I wish I knew what was true and the rest of the real story about FaceBook.

More fiery lyrics

(Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious)
Conflagrations happen where there's not enough hydration
Running rampant they wreak havoc on dry vegetation
Adding wind allows them to cause widespread devastation
Maintain irrigation to avoid this situation
Aren't you glad we had this most important conversation?



(Every Breath You Take - bridge)
Though you know folks who smoke and seem all right
And you've found it controls your appetite
It stains your teeth but looks cool to hold a light
The government still campaigns to end the fight
So weigh options; know statistics, please...

Fiery Song Lyrics

(Flintstones)

Pyro, pyrotechnics
That's the stuff exploding in the sky.
Shot there with a launcher
By a fireworkin' girl or guy.

Sometimes they can give me quite a fright
Booms and flashes cuttin' through the night.

When I'm watchin' fireworks
I feel just a bit excited
Even delighted
The wonders fill my head.









(Build Me Up, Buttercup)

Why did you burn it down?
Dottie's log cabin was the best in town.
When word gets around
She'll come after you
And ask you some things about the stuff you do
From "out of the blue."

It's not right.
Won't you take all that fire and
Use it to do something good?
Weld a pipe
Heat a room?
I know you could.

(Jamaica Farewell)

By the bay the other day
I smelled smoke and saw fire in a restaurant.
I rang alone on my mobile phone
For help to save this place - my favorite haunt.

And I'm stoked to say that right away
FIREMEN came and saved the day.
They doused the flame
They found out who was to blame
And I admit I think my life will never be the same.

(Livin' on a Prayer)

We're gonna cook all the food we caught.
It doesn't make a difference if you like it or not.
We have some eels and in that kete there
The possum we shot.

Oh, we're cookin' out.
That's what campin's all about.
Get some wood; I'll show you how.
Oh, light the fire now.






(Bare Necessities)

When we go burning DVDs
Supporting pirate entities
We're causing actors poverty and strife.
So? BUT
If we keep burning DVDs
We're following a recipe
To rob the whole film industry of life!

Head down to the theater, the video store.
The picture looks sweeter
Outside our door.

Although the illegalities may never be enforced with ease
When the credits roll let's use wit.
How would it sit if the hardest hit were members of the crew?
Their job security depends on what we do.
Let's pull them through.

(From Me to You)

You'll get back on your feet again.
You'll recover and start anew.
I know you will, and I'm singin' this song
'Cause I've been fired, too.

We had jobs (we thought) that needed us
And loved the work we did.
Then the storm cloud that impeded us
The truth no longer hid. (Ugh)

Try to see this a different way.
You've got dreams you can follow through.
You're finally free and you're movin' along.
Do what you like to do.
You'll join the chosen few.















(We're Off to See the Wizard)

We'll burn these onto CD
The wonderful pictures of, "Aw."
The shots we got of all of our tots
The hardest of hearts to thaw.

The coldest and bitter don't stand a chance
With pictures of babies and puppies in France
They'll soften, thaw, warm up, defrost and MELT
Feel squishier than they've ever felt
*whistle*

We'll burn these onto CD
The wonderful pictures of, "Aw!"
























(FAME)

They're never the same - flame
Ages ago in Athens athletes began to compete - neat
Now it biannually happens, switching between cold and heat - flame
Running through hosting countries, lighting the way to the games - flame
Honoring rich tradition, no two are ever the same - Olympics, Olympics, Olympics...