I love this video, I'm not sure why. But, sometimes that's why art is so great because it doesn't always have to be explained. It's funny, sad and poignant and I absolutely love the song. My favorite lyric is, "In our dreams, we were making it right." How many times have all of us felt that way? Too many times than we care to remember.
Hope you enjoy the video.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
A Part of You
For a very long time now, I've wanted to share some of the music I've written over the years with all of you. Today, I finally see that dream come to fruition. Using a new free service called Soundcloud, I've uploaded one of my personal favorites called, "A Part of You". This song is one of my favorites because I made my wife sing with me on it. I wrote it back in 2007 after seeing Juno, whose soundtrack was dominated by songs that have a similar sound to this with couples seemingly trading verses and coming back together for the chorus. To this day, it's still one of the easiest times I've ever had writing a song. I think I wrote the whole thing in 10-15 minutes. Even the first line that came to me was, in my opinion, the best. "You've got me on/a part of you/that I can't get off/no matter what I do." There's something about the innocence of the lyric that I've always liked. The rest of the lyrics have both of us trading jabs at each other (I tell her she has too much crap, she tells me my skin is rough and I snore too loud-all of which, I might add, were common complaints we had with each other at the time) but then ultimately coming to the realization that despite all of this, we're both still sticking with one another. I hope you enjoy it and look for more music from me in the future!
10 A Part Of You by iceap12
10 A Part Of You by iceap12
Monday, April 11, 2011
Game of Thrones
I've been reading this series since Christmas and it's really quite fantastic. It's like a more adult Lord of the Rings where there isn't always a clear enemy and everyone has ulterior motives. They're making a show for it on HBO and it debuts this Sunday. I don't have HBO but I'll probably download it from iTunes. Let the Game begin!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Hue
She's green; green of the summer breeze and she'll be green till the yellow turns red. Red, the color of her lipstick; the color of her eyes in the morning; the color of the signs around her telling her otherwise.
Blue, that's me, the color of the lonely and the lost which is what I am when she's gone. My hues change in temperature and I parade myself in shades of crimson and gold. But it is folly. One cannot change their color, though she'd have me believe otherwise. And I being blue, always believe her.
She's green! Green! And when I'm with her, I feel it too. Everything that is new and possible fits comfortably into our hands and for a moment we believe there is only us. But they are so loud-the colors. They are many and we are two and their choir drowns out our humble sonata. We clash, us and them, for we were never meant to sing as one. And she begins to think I have betrayed our love though my voice was meant only for her, the green, the emerald green.
She's my emerald queen but she cries obsidian in long strands. Obsidian, the color we have begun to sing. We once harmonized in turquoise but now our tones have grown hoarse and dark. We have grown too far apart, these long tumultuous days. And I being blue, find myself too comfortable in my familiar color. I yearn for her, the green, but winter has blackened her and I am helpless.
Her circumstance is one of dark fate. I do not understand her language. Did I ever truly know it? And I realize that she was never green and that my foolish yearnings for harmony merely painted her the green of my dreams. I see her now. My once green queen has become a black stranger.
And there are hues between us.
Blue, that's me, the color of the lonely and the lost which is what I am when she's gone. My hues change in temperature and I parade myself in shades of crimson and gold. But it is folly. One cannot change their color, though she'd have me believe otherwise. And I being blue, always believe her.
She's green! Green! And when I'm with her, I feel it too. Everything that is new and possible fits comfortably into our hands and for a moment we believe there is only us. But they are so loud-the colors. They are many and we are two and their choir drowns out our humble sonata. We clash, us and them, for we were never meant to sing as one. And she begins to think I have betrayed our love though my voice was meant only for her, the green, the emerald green.
She's my emerald queen but she cries obsidian in long strands. Obsidian, the color we have begun to sing. We once harmonized in turquoise but now our tones have grown hoarse and dark. We have grown too far apart, these long tumultuous days. And I being blue, find myself too comfortable in my familiar color. I yearn for her, the green, but winter has blackened her and I am helpless.
Her circumstance is one of dark fate. I do not understand her language. Did I ever truly know it? And I realize that she was never green and that my foolish yearnings for harmony merely painted her the green of my dreams. I see her now. My once green queen has become a black stranger.
And there are hues between us.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Old Spice | Raven starring NFL Superperson Ray Lewis
This commercial has been on for awhile but I thought I'd post it as a testament that I think their commercials are genius.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
I've Fallen Asleep
It wouldn't surprise me if many of you have thought that something was wrong with me since I haven't written a blog in so long. Nothing has been wrong. I just think that sometimes, I tend to fall asleep.
I'm not sure why but sometimes, I ignore what I'd rather be doing (writing) and just focus on what I have to do (work). I have been in such a mode since my last blog. I have switched departments at my work within the last month and have been working hard so that they will keep me rather than passing me along. This is the fifth department I've worked in at Lovelace, and the fourth just this year. I'm like the orphan child who wanders from place to place without a home.
I think part of me felt a bit letdown as well since my last blog because my last blog was an attempt at finally getting a real writing job. I didn't get it, and although I knew I wouldn't get it, I think a part of me wanted to quit for awhile. At this point, I don't think I'll ever try getting another writing job. I'm just tired of trying at it.
Right now, I'm living just to live, which is the first time in a long time that I think I've done such a thing. I have nothing in particular I want except to just get through the day so I can go home and spend time with my wife doing things I want to do. Despite how it sounds though, I am not sad or depressed. I am actually quite happy and I try to enjoy all that I can with the time I have to myself. I am a bit worried however at where my life is headed, in a career sense. It is often said that if you don't know where you want to go, you end up where you don't want to be. And I have no idea where I want to go.
Anyway, I'll end this update with the hope that I'll continue to write more and to get back on track. I hope you are all doing well.
I'm not sure why but sometimes, I ignore what I'd rather be doing (writing) and just focus on what I have to do (work). I have been in such a mode since my last blog. I have switched departments at my work within the last month and have been working hard so that they will keep me rather than passing me along. This is the fifth department I've worked in at Lovelace, and the fourth just this year. I'm like the orphan child who wanders from place to place without a home.
I think part of me felt a bit letdown as well since my last blog because my last blog was an attempt at finally getting a real writing job. I didn't get it, and although I knew I wouldn't get it, I think a part of me wanted to quit for awhile. At this point, I don't think I'll ever try getting another writing job. I'm just tired of trying at it.
Right now, I'm living just to live, which is the first time in a long time that I think I've done such a thing. I have nothing in particular I want except to just get through the day so I can go home and spend time with my wife doing things I want to do. Despite how it sounds though, I am not sad or depressed. I am actually quite happy and I try to enjoy all that I can with the time I have to myself. I am a bit worried however at where my life is headed, in a career sense. It is often said that if you don't know where you want to go, you end up where you don't want to be. And I have no idea where I want to go.
Anyway, I'll end this update with the hope that I'll continue to write more and to get back on track. I hope you are all doing well.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Singles Review
I thought it was time for some single's reviews. This is from a piece I wrote for Randomville that will be published soon. Enjoy!
Big Boi-Shutterbugg
After being in Outkast, one of the greatest rap groups of all-time, there wasn’t anywhere Big Boi could go but down because after all, Andre 3000 was the mastermind of the group, wasn’t he? After listening to this track, the answer is apparently not. Shutterbugg is pure radio fodder and is sure to light up dance floors this summer and for years to come. The keyboards and guitar with its talk-box infused beat sound both danceable and sexy, much like Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” and showcases a side of Big Boi none of us knew existed. The only downfall of the song is Big Boi’s lyrics, which never seem to show how clever he can be. Frankly, he’s better than this. But, with a beat as awesome as this and a hook this catchy, who can complain? 4.5/5
Foals-Miami
The opening line of the Foals’ song “Miami” sung with style by lead singer Yannis Philippakis says, “I promised you an ocean of mother of pearl, gold and indigo.” A fitting statement, as the band quickly delivers on their promise by offering this song which plays with colors of tone-sometimes dark with themes of betrayal, sometimes light with themes of redemption and yet it always feels cohesive by being so damn danceable. With a discography of only two albums, the Foals prove that they are masters of the dance rock genre no matter how new they are to the scene. This is the kind of song Franz Ferdinand has been trying to write since their first album with little success. 4/5
Blitzen Trapper-Evening Star
Blitzen Trapper has been fighting comparisons to Wilco for some time and not without reason. Evening Star is no different. However, being compared to one of the best bands of the last decade is not a bad thing and Blitzen Trapper prove that they are capable of standing on their own. Evening Star is the kind of song that you ache for when you feel alone on a summer night and you find yourself driving aimlessly around the city. Eric Earley evokes that same seen-it-all feeling through his vocals and the acoustic guitar, bass and killer harmonies provides the comfort one searches for on those lonely nights when driving aimlessly around the city seems necessary. 3.5/5
Janelle Monae ft. Big Boi-Tightrope
Is this funk? Is this soul? Is this World music? It’s a bit of all three and yet the song always remains cohesive even when featured artist Big Boi comes in with a few lines of rap. Monae’s vocals are extremely impressive and even with a great horn section, a killer bass line and all manners of percussion, the focus is never taken off of her. Even Big Boi looks like an afterthought in the song compared to Monae’s vocal power. This song is sure to light up some dance floors. 3.5/5
Big Boi-Shutterbugg
After being in Outkast, one of the greatest rap groups of all-time, there wasn’t anywhere Big Boi could go but down because after all, Andre 3000 was the mastermind of the group, wasn’t he? After listening to this track, the answer is apparently not. Shutterbugg is pure radio fodder and is sure to light up dance floors this summer and for years to come. The keyboards and guitar with its talk-box infused beat sound both danceable and sexy, much like Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” and showcases a side of Big Boi none of us knew existed. The only downfall of the song is Big Boi’s lyrics, which never seem to show how clever he can be. Frankly, he’s better than this. But, with a beat as awesome as this and a hook this catchy, who can complain? 4.5/5
Foals-Miami
The opening line of the Foals’ song “Miami” sung with style by lead singer Yannis Philippakis says, “I promised you an ocean of mother of pearl, gold and indigo.” A fitting statement, as the band quickly delivers on their promise by offering this song which plays with colors of tone-sometimes dark with themes of betrayal, sometimes light with themes of redemption and yet it always feels cohesive by being so damn danceable. With a discography of only two albums, the Foals prove that they are masters of the dance rock genre no matter how new they are to the scene. This is the kind of song Franz Ferdinand has been trying to write since their first album with little success. 4/5
Blitzen Trapper-Evening Star
Blitzen Trapper has been fighting comparisons to Wilco for some time and not without reason. Evening Star is no different. However, being compared to one of the best bands of the last decade is not a bad thing and Blitzen Trapper prove that they are capable of standing on their own. Evening Star is the kind of song that you ache for when you feel alone on a summer night and you find yourself driving aimlessly around the city. Eric Earley evokes that same seen-it-all feeling through his vocals and the acoustic guitar, bass and killer harmonies provides the comfort one searches for on those lonely nights when driving aimlessly around the city seems necessary. 3.5/5
Janelle Monae ft. Big Boi-Tightrope
Is this funk? Is this soul? Is this World music? It’s a bit of all three and yet the song always remains cohesive even when featured artist Big Boi comes in with a few lines of rap. Monae’s vocals are extremely impressive and even with a great horn section, a killer bass line and all manners of percussion, the focus is never taken off of her. Even Big Boi looks like an afterthought in the song compared to Monae’s vocal power. This song is sure to light up some dance floors. 3.5/5
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