U2 - With Or Without You

Music Appreciation (A Retrospect)

I remember listening to U2's With or Without You 24 years ago. I was about 11 years old.

I had asked my parents to invite my friend Adam for a sleepover. He lived a few houses down and my parents thought it would be fun.

MTV was always on the tube, especially, during sleepovers. However, it was something about "With or Without You" that was mesmerizing.

His looks made me so uncomfortable that I really couldn't watch through the video.

Secretly, I found myself watching Bono with his guitar (which he doesn't play a note during the music video but rather just swings around angrily) and feeling my soul leave my body every time listening to the Edge's bridge. I slowly transformed into a note floating in air with each strum of his guitar string.

The Pogues - If I Should Fall from Grace with God

Music Appreciation

I have a tradition in our home to play The Pogues on St. Patrick's Day. And it's common the day's meal is paired with Guinness beer.

So, download The Pogues onto your iTunes and enjoy.

Fresh Catch

Photography Appreciation

I came across this picture from The Commons collection on Flickr. 

What's interesting about this photo is that it's of a naked girl in a fish crate full of rabbit fur being watched by two men in suits.  A metaphor?



"Nude girl lounging in a box full of rabbit fur" by Vern C Gorst




Visit my blog at http://photographywritingandmore.blogspot.com/.

The B52's - Love Shack

Music Appreciation (A Retrospect)

"Tin roof, rusted!"  Yes, it's one phrase I had no idea what it meant but sounded cool--although, according to urban dictionary, the phrase has become to mean to become pregnant unexpectedly.  Of course, when I was 13 years old, I didn't know what "pregnant" really meant.  Let alone "unexpectedly." 

Love Shack reached popularity in all pop charts in the very late 1980s, and the phrase "tin roof" was more attributed to a cabin in Georgia where "Rock Lobster" was conceived. 

So where was I when I first heard the B-52's? I was in eighth grade and I was a geek.  Yes, a geek.  Perhaps one similar to what is portrayed in Glee.  I was not into sports.  I wasn't really into band either; although, I played a cornet (a smaller version of a trumpet).   I was into journalism; although I wasn't good at writing.  But at least I was a bit creative. 



Source: wikipedia

Visit my blog at http://photographywritingandmore.blogspot.com/.

Thayer's Angel

Art Appreciation

I found myself in a room with several paintings of angelical and biblical themes at the National Portrait Museum in Washington, DC. 

The one that caught my attention was that by Abbott Handerson Thayer titled "Angel." 

Thayer was known for portraying women as angels; although, his method of painting was considered unorthodox.

"Angel" by Abbott Handerson Thayer

Source: wikipedia

Letters to Cleo - I See

Music Appreciation (A Retrospect)

When I was in my late teens, I subscribed to Huh! magazine.  The bi-monthly magazine provided its readers with a CD of "up-and-coming" musical artists. 

I recall falling quickly in love with Kay Hanley's voice and became a fan of Letters to Cleo.  And yes, I do have a "Letters to Cleo" station on Pandora.



Visit my blog at http://photographywritingandmore.blogspot.com/.

Gipsy Kings - Volare

Music Appreciation (A Retrospect)

I was a 20 year-old intern in Washington, DC when I first saw the amazing Gipsy Kings.  For those of you who probably don't know who the Gipsy Kings are, shame on you.  Just kidding.  Go to the nearest record store and pick up The Best of the Gipsy Kings.  Take a listen.  Maybe you'll recognize them.

Back to my story.  I was in Washington, DC when a good friend of mine got a whisper that the Gipsy Kings were going to be playing at a small bar in Georgetown.  He got the inside tip and told us.  Before I knew it, I was sitting in the front of two Gipsy Kings playing.  I had such a great seat that I literally saw sweat drip from the Gipsy Kings. 

The rest of the Gipsy Kings were seated at one corner of the restaurant bar.  I saw Nicolas Reyes, the lead singer, with the rest of the Kings.  It was awesome.  Almost heavenly. 

Speaking of heaven, perhaps this could be a part of my last wishes.  If I were to pass away and step into the next world, I'd like for the Gipsy King's version of Volare be played during my funeral.