do you want to see the place where i am free?
‘cause in my mind i need it, but you’re nowhere near to me

forgive me if i look so lonely
it’s not that bad
sometimes it’s just the sound of the TV that gets me always wondering why
sometimes it’s just a conversation that makes me cry

“Tears, idle tears, I know not what they mean,

Tears from the depth of some divine despair

Rise in the heart, and gather to the eyes,

In looking on the happy Autumn-fields,

And thinking of the days that are no more.



Fresh as the first beam glittering on a sail,

That brings our friends up from the underworld,

Sad as the last which reddens over one

That sinks with all we love below the verge;

So sad, so fresh, the days that are no more.



Ah, sad and strange as in dark summer dawns

The earliest pipe of half-awakened birds

To dying ears, when unto dying eyes

The casement slowly grows a glimmering square;

So sad, so strange, the days that are no more.



Dear as remembered kisses after death,

And sweet as those by hopeless fancy feigned

On lips that are for others; deep as love,

Deep as first love, and wild with all regret;

O Death in Life, the days that are no more!”

i could sit and cry
i am never mad
i am burning up
i am broken up

and i’m here, wondering where the sun has gone
driving through a midwest storm
asking why there’s no one home

in an old irish prison
stained with tears
i’m trapped in a jail cell
black and grey

well i miss you in the winter,

more than a love song can give,
more than a feeling like this,
more than a dim light upon the path you walk,
more than my words can explain,
more than the falling rain,
more than the sun shines upon your lovely face.

she is walking on the clouds
and falling in between the crowds
she’s trying and crying and dying

hell is so close, and heavens out of reach,
but i ain’t giving up quite yet,
i’ve got too much to lose

“There was one thing that much aided me in renewing and re-creating the stalwart soldier of the Niagara frontier—the man of true and simple energy. It was the recollection of those memorable words of his—“I’ll try, Sir!”—spoken on the very verge of a desperate and heroic enterprise, and breathing the soul and spirit of New England hardihood, comprehending all perils, and encountering all. If, in our country, valor were rewarded by heraldic honor, this phrase—which it seems so easy to speak, but which only he, with such a task of danger and glory before him, had ever spoken—would be the best and fittest of all mottoes for he General’s shield of arms.”

the rain is gonna fall, the sun is gonna shine
the wind is gonna blow, the waters gonna rise
she said, when that day comes look into my eyes
but no one’s giving up quite yet, we’ve got too much to lose,

look at them running off the sidewalk,
look at us falling off a building,
look at them reading lights,
look at me,
look at you.

[it's hard to miss when you're shooting a heart shaped gun]

my eyes like rainy tuesdays
like to watch you smile

so put me on a plane and fly me to anywhere
put me on a plane and fly me to anywhere
put me on a plane and fly me to anywhere with you
…with you

if i could change,
i’d keep away the rain
and the sun would shine every night
and i’ll come meet you there someday

the fool in me
it’s like a dream, you see
but if the world is right
i’ll drive all night
and meet you there someday

meet you there someday…

So, my first blog entry. Thanks Des for re-inventing my interest in blogs

Current music: Almost Lover – A Fine Frenzy

Current mood: Bah.

So, after 3 hours of Accounting, not much has actually seeped into the skull. Instead, I am blogging for the first time in a very long time.. and wondering a) how I managed to survive for so long without it, and b) what this post is actually going to be about.

Perhaps I shall whinge for a while about the intricacies and frustrations of group work. I don’t mind group work, don’t get me wrong. But, only when you’re stuck in a room and nobody has the chance to just disappear. This other breed of group-work, the one where you don’t SEE your group members, can’t CONTACT them, and they won’t reply to your bloody emails. This group-work, I like not. I hate, in fact. It’s a bit of a joke, because the only reason we have ‘group work’ is so people learn how to communicate properly, socialise like civil human beings and learn ‘patience’ and other such crap, but all this isn’t even NEEDED in group work anymore. Group work now consists of a few emails, the rushed mushing together of slides, and a quick impromptu meeting to discuss whether our slides are shit or not. Okay, complaint done.

I suppose I’ll move onto a nicer aspect of my life right now. I did an RPM + Body Combat combination yesterday, turned out to be a lot LESS strenuous and death inducing than I thought. Which is really good to know, because it means that I’ve gotten stronger. I remember doing my first RPM, I nearly fainted towards the end. I actually had to go outside and sit there for a while, while feeding myself water and a chocolate biscuit. A fair distance from where I came from. So, RPM + Combat. Good combination. Lower body + cadio, then upper body + cardio essentially. Should be a good combination to keep. I wish our gym had Body Balance, Jam and Flow (I think was the other one). In any case, really glad that happened.

On another topic altogether, was annoyed that I didn’t get to go to Oktoberfest. First-ish social gathering and I couldn’t make it. Fail. But yeah, I don’t drink that much, and suddenly this has become unacceptable. What else? I need new clothes. But, that is a minor matter.

Should I stop procrastinating and finish this Accounting and move onto legal? Yes. Am I going to… maybe.

Also re-discovered a lot of new music on Myspace. I forgot about their garage band thing, where they basically have music on there for all to hear. It’s good stuff. Discovered Augustana’s new song, Bluejuice, which I’m going to on Wednesday, Lost Valentinos, etc. etc. Should listen to more at some point.

Cheerio.

Recession is a band I’ve been following for a few years now. Most of the members go or have gone to my college, so I was introduced to them just by simple proximity. The music was good so I started popping down for their shows around Pittsburgh, even got a chance to play with them in a couple fundraiser’s and coffee houses on campus.

Since then I’ve kept up with the band and their sound has really grown into something excellent. It’s original and very rich musically while still being accessible. I’m listening to a demo CD of some of the tracks they’ve newly recorded right now and it’s great, just great. You can hear a few of them on there myspace here:

http://www.myspace.com/recession

I especially love that “Lose Your Head” is finally among the songs available online. It’s one of their older songs now, but it’s always been a favorite of mine at their shows. And the next online track, “Contagious” well… let’s just say you’ll be hitting repeat the second it’s done.

Anyway, I had meant to write a review of the band for an older site that’s no longer really living. Shamefully, it never went up, and now seems like a great time to remedy that, because there’s every indication that the band will be making some major moves soon.

Guitarist Brian Schultz told me recently that they had sent off a few tracks to LA to be mixed and promoted by Bernd Bergdorf, who’s worked with Green Day, Pink, Spearhead, Tom Waits, The Bangles, and even my personal hero’s the Brian Jonestown Massacre.

The name’s they’ve been sharing stage with have gotten increasingly impressive as of late as well. Among the one’s that have stood out to me are Love Drug, Mae, Plain White Ts, and Augustana. (I was lucky enough to make the night with Augustana. That was a hell of a show.)

Also, at the very moment I write this, several major labels are browsing through recessions online catalog and presence. This is a band with a great sound that’s really starting to catch some attention… I can’t help but anticipate big things in the near future. Keep an eye out for these guys.

(Oh, and while you’re on their myspace, feel free to post and tell them that they ought to get a recording of “Meant To Shine” up already. That song kicks.)

Today I love…

1. Masala dosas for dinner in IOWA CITY!

2. Being in a city again, however small. =P

3. Homecoming parades

4. Watching Augustana and the Temptations perform live (my first real concert ever!)

5. Baking with EC and the Younker 2nd crew

EPIC FRIDAY. <3

Augustana released a song called “Stars and Boulevards” on their 2005 album. This song is pretty well representative of Augustana’s sound.

They sound like a more melancholy, more muddled version of the All American Rejects. Thoughts?

sky black and blue
blue turned to red
quiet in the streets now
it’s screaming in your head

hey, you’re bleeding for nothing
it’s hard to breathe when you’re standing on your own
we’ll kill ourself to find freedom
you’ll kill yourself to find anything at all

Song Of The Day: Bad Day – R.E.M.

Yesterday’s Super-Emotive Song: Stars and Boulevards – Augustana

A lot of things happened last night which have put me in kind of a strange place today. I can tell you about the good things that happened though.

Central Park; one of the greatest things about New York. Another great thing about this city is the free events. Last night I went a concert to celebrate the parks, with a Ken Burns documentary and musical performances from Carole King, Eric Benet, Augustana, Counting Crows, Gavin DeGraw and Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas and Peter Yarrow. I must say that I think I missed Augustana completely. Were they playing with the Counting Crows? I was confused. The focus was primarily the documentary and most of the artists only sang or played one song. The Counting Crows, however, sang a few; one of which was Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby, which I love. During that song, I jumped off the blanket and went down towards the stage to grab a pic and put some dance in my steps.

It was pretty cool. I love outdoors activities where there’s something going on below and the sky is just sitting there above. I love that. My jet-setting cousin Stephanie met up with me which was nice. She brought some beer and brown bags, which was funny because Mayor Bloomberg was there to deliver a few words. Not too sure how he’d feel about that.

I love Central Park and I love New York.

And now I will disappear…

Not really, I’m just a little sad today. Tomorrow should be better.

For those of you who know me well, you know I am a dork when it comes to the National Parks. I even collect these.  My DVR is all set for this Sunday when the new Ken Burns documentary airs on PBS.  I’d like to give a big shout-out to Teddy Roosevelt & John Muir for making this all happen!

and pretty gracefully.
Silently, yet suddenly.
And I think it’s the one thing saving me right now.

That cool breeze through the windows at my side while I sleep.  Practically screaming “you’ll love this.”
It’s funny. Fall’s one of my favorite times of year for so many reasons, but the fact that I can slouch into my huge hoodies or pullovers and hide comfortably…not hot, not cold. That’s a smile in itself.

Is it almost ridiculous that fall used to be tops because of basketball season? It’s like I’m living on some completely different frequency now. I guess not though.  I’ve always loved what I choose to occupy myself with. Now, it’s weather. Heh.  What do they say on those reference letters? Adaptive. Right. Much like a software package.

________

But, really today is so beautiful. Roach is sitting out on the covered porch that we put together.  I used an old twin-sized bed frame on the low setting and turned it into a couch of sorts. Then set out a nice lamp right over the bed.  Table in the corner.  Roach supplied the sheets (which is actually a couch cover) and blankets and then set out the table…also covered. It’s just comfy.  Something about not being inside or outside. With huge glass window panes everywhere.  Just comfortable.  And warm, even when it’s really not warm out.  Just a place to sit at night. Or nap with those little shots of sunshine in the afternoon.  I think I found my spot in the house.  Philly was using it the other day, too. I’m glad they like it.

Anyways, instead of taking a nap I decided that I’m going to stay awake all day today.  Fill her up. Right to the top. 
Whoever happens to be reading this, hope you realize just how blessed we are. Love ya. <3 Dani

_____

What you should probably take another look at:
Augustana – Found My Place
Augustana – Angels
Augustana – Stars and Boulevards

What you may want to think about (and take joy in) Thank you Rob Bell, for helping me to come just thismuchcloser to understanding:
Matthew 5.3 is not the beginning of a to-do list. It’s an announcement.  He doesn’t have to be on our side, but he chooses to. So many times, we just ask and ask and ask and ask “Why?” The irony? There is no reason. The phrase used this Sunday: “fundamentally counterintuitive.”  The Gospel. Period.  Against the grain? Yes. Conservative world view? Heh..absolutely not. He’s given us gifts we have absolutely NO right to.  What really got me though?  Think about this.  We (in general, as Western civilization) so often look at the Word, and to simplify it (maybe that’s not the right phrase)…we create this “to-do list” of living…”things to avoid, and practices to get me ‘good.’ ” Why do we to this? This one has an answer. And the funny thing is, this answer probably isn’t “right.”  We do this to become better, or rich in spirit.  And when we do that,  yeah, we’ve missed Jesus in his own teaching.  We take Him out of his own story.  He came to give an announcement.  Not a chore list.  So, I’m going to try to stop living like a to-do list and put Him back where He’s always been.

What you should try:
Vanilla Caramel Creamer
Snickers latte @ JP’s
Turning the sound off.

_____________________

So the Sunset Strip Music Festival starts tonight and it could be the last CA music festival of the summer! If you are looking for one last dose of Summer fun, it might be worth checking out.

Tonight, I would hit up Talib Kweli @ the Key Club or Augustana, HoneyHoney & Huntingfield @ the Roxy.

Tomorrow, I leave up to you….
Ozzy Osbourne, KORN, Pepper, Kottonmouth Kings, Shiny Toy Guns, Shwayze, LMFAO, The Donnas, Unwritten Law, Fishbone, The Knux, Iglu & Hartly, Iration, Super Mash Bros, The Pricks, The Ringers, Nico Vega, Earl Greyhound, Awolnation, The Tender Box, Eulogies, Rob Roy, Dirt Nasty, Andre Legacy, Beardo, Boomkat, Endless Hallway, Onesidezero, The Illectrolytes, SSX, The Hopeless, Prophet, The Irish Goodbye, No Thanks, Motor Gun Hotel, The Ashes, Volume, The Shrill, Radius, Ladyjack, Diamond Lane, Vains of Jenna, Lonely Drunks Club, The Cold Flamez, Skye Delamey, Kottak & more!

On the 2nd week of Tool Academy, in therapy Kathleen slapped J Daddy, Amanda beat Stew and it scared Dre P more than anyone.

Stew, Hillbilly Tool, blamed his infidelity on having red hair. Dancing Tool said his girlfriend wasn’t his type but that was okay, he liked that he didn’t like the way she looked, she was different and not pretty but she’d do.

Special Tool was surprised by his girlfriend’s reaction to his admittance of cheating on her (“I, like, hate you”) but what was more surprising was the following stream of confessions from a handful of other tools. Dre P, you just couldn’t stay safe, huh? That certainly is teamwork, tools. Oh yeah, then Special Tool added two more.

Then the girls crawled in bed and cried and the tools drank and wrestled. The wrestling was taken too far and Charm overreacted.

“I wanna go back and hit Charm, dude, but I know I’m here for my girl, dude.” Says Tat Tool, “Like, I don’t need to deal with that at all, dude.”

Old Tool was eliminated for not helping his girl in their challenge, always telling her to shut up, and not caring about much of anything. Then he breaks up with her. She gets in the tool limo. His last words: “We had a real good time, dude. We had a real fun time, dude.”

The tools need a new word.

Happy Birthday-

On a totally unrelated note, Happy Birthday Dan Layus! Who cares about The Beatles…Rockband…? Nobody! I will listen to an Augustana mix all day (thinking Bullets/ISAOY/Meet You There/Lonely People.) Happy birthday, dude!

Mimi

9-9-9. Whatta date, huh?

And I got this new headphones (which I don’t know if I’m wearing correctly). It’s where I got my title. It’s just sad that the microphone thing doesn’t work in my iPod. Haha. Loser. Anyway, it works different from my old one (of course!) that’s jurassic already. So it’s time to have new ones! It has features that made me wow. LMAO. As usual, I get so O.C. with the ‘new’ things so I really keep it clean and neat ‘all’ the time. LOL. I really hope it’ll be white as new forever. x_O

Other than that, this day’s kinda memorable too because of…

1. …Gabriel Saporta of Cobra Starship replying to my tweet! Hah! (I don’t know how to link it. But here he is.) Pretty shallow? I just feel happy that with 76, 540 followers, he still saw my tweet and even replied to it. Hahaha. It helped that he doesn’t follow anyone.

2.  …my mock interview being postponed. The professor was nowhere to be found. I’m soooo not good in interviews. I always screw up because I get B-L-A-N-K. Hahaha. But it’s only postponed so I still have to do it for the sake of my grade. Argh.

(There’s something wrong with wordpress ’cause I coudn’t add images. Grr.)

Currently listening to: Augustana’s Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt album. -_-

jag och elin gör Pappa & Ozzy pt. 2! hahaha bara vi som fattar tror jag..

nu är jag hemma! hur jag alltid lyckas skämma bort mig förstår jag fan inte.. nu hade jag vääärldens största hål mellan benen men har inte orkat bry mig då jag endå bara är i stallet, men nu så hjälpte elviras mamma upp mig på hästen och jag såg att hon såg.. jag hade blottat mig!!! fnittrade säkert åt de i en kvart, hur fan lyckas jag:) och sen när jag kom tillbaka.. nja, de ska vi nog inte ens komma in på! oshosh:)

Har massa blandade videor från ikea och england undrar om jag ska mixa ihop dom till en liten film till er..? HAHAHA elin skickade nyss världens sjukaste video den får ni dock aldrig se… flahahahha

och nää vi stoppade inte upp godis i näsan de är mening att de ska se ut så…….

och innan jag drar så tycker jag att ni ska ta och lyssna på domhär låtarna:) majs!

]]> http://theslowginfizz.com/2009/08/26/experience-review-counting-crows-hammerstein-ballroom-8-25-09/ Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:55:34 +0000 theslowginfizz http://theslowginfizz.com/2009/08/26/experience-review-counting-crows-hammerstein-ballroom-8-25-09/

Featuring: augustana and michael frantic & spearhead

Check out this beyond ridiculously awetastic setlist (unfortunately that doesn’t cover the great songs the other bands played):

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/counting-crows/2009/hammerstein-ballrooom-new-york-ny-33d7a405.html

1. all great shows should be preceded by tacos, beer, cash cab, and obscenely nice rooftop panoramic views of the chrysler building
2. 3.5 hours of awesome well crafted music. as promised, it started early (8:30) and definately went to midnight. on a tuesday. i’m so tired/happy.
3. I was an average aged audience member which made me happy. but they seemed to card everyone but me, which made me sad.
4. so this was kind of a different show (hence my calling it an ‘experience’). Instead of having opening bands, everyone just kinda played along on stage in different configurations the whole time.
5. I thought it was really cool how the bands learned each others songs so they could collaborate. the harmonies were pretty rad. no one harmonizes anymore. no superstar egos at this show.
6. the covers were plentiful and well thought out (particularly Cecilia)
7. augustana is pretty haunting. I hate when the lead guy talks, but when he sang, if my heart could write songs, they would sound like theirs. I don’t recall ever getting so emotional over a band’s music that I didn’t know at all. I want to hear more, but I’m not sure how that would work with my penchant for crying on the train to sad songs.
8. michael frantic & spearhead was a really interesting and unique choice for the show, but really added a lot. they were totally funky and fun and soulful and made me want to shake my extremely ample rump. definitely looking to hear more.
9. songs like ‘Omaha’ and ‘Long December’ really hold up and it surprised me how much more emotionally resonant they were to me now after I’ve seen a lot more of life. made me want to believe that maybe next year will be better than the last…
10. when I look at the setlist, I see the crows were onstage for a really good amount of time, but while I was there, it felt like I saw a lot more of the other bands than them and I didn’t hear a lot of my fave songs. and I really hate ‘Mr. Jones’.
11. but honestly, the bands were so great, I didn’t even care. I can listen to a crows live album anytime. and I will be doing so for the next few days.
12. normally I would think it pretentious to have your opening bands cover your songs, but it was amazing. I didn’t think it was possible, but the show made me want to get even more of the crows albums (and I have most of them already).
13. you know you’re a sick drummer when you literally throw the sticks at the drum to create beats.
14. accordions are cool as f
15. much like Cheryl, my rad companion for the evening. magic definitely did more good than harm at the hammerstein ballroom that night.

You may or may not have heard the chart-topping song “Boston” by Augustana from a few years back.  I’m convinced that they read my mind when they wrote these lyrics: 

“She said I think I’ll go to Boston…
I think I’ll start a new life,
I think I’ll start it over, where no one knows my name,
I’ll get out of California, I’m tired of the weather,
I think I’ll get a lover and fly em out to Spain…
I think I’ll go to Boston,
I think that I’m just tired
I think I need a new town, to leave this all behind…
I think I need a sunrise, I’m tired of the sunset,
I hear it’s nice in the Summer, some snow would be nice… oh yeah…”

Three years ago, I had the great honor to visit one of America’s oldest cities: Boston. I’m not going to lie, as an average thirteen-year-old, I wasn’t too excited. I looked forward to going to New York more, which was also part of the trip. I mean, what did Boston have to offer? New York has the famous lights and buildings which are prominently displayed in films. Much to my surprise, I actually liked Boston more. 

Part of the reason I think I didn’t look forward to Boston is because I had a crappy US History teacher. I didn’t remember a single thing I learned in that class except what a cotton gin is. For some reason, that seems to stick in many people’s brains.  And to be honest, even if I had learned anything in my US History class, I don’t think I would have been eager to go as history never intrigued me. 

But when I first arrived in downtown Boston on a charter bus, I immediately fell in love at first site. The city is just gorgeous.  

I don’t know if you’ve seen the architecture from there, but it is truly a work-of-art. And I love that the city has a small-town feel to it even though it is gigantic. 

Just being in the city made me feel as if I was part of something special. Everywhere I looked, history had happened. I remember our tour guide pointing ahead and saying, “See that crosswalk right there where people are walking? That’s where the first shot of Lexington and Concord occurred.” Even seemingly insignificant places were historic. 

When I came back from Boston and New York, all I did was rave about how great Boston was and how it my life goal to live there. I noticed in people’s faces their surprise as I mentioned how great of a city Boston is.  Most had heard of it, but many didn’t know much about it. I feel like it is greatly unappreciated. If it hadn’t been for that trip in which I was forced to go to Boston, I do not know if I would have ever visited Boston as the city is not usually considered a dream destination.  

I can not wait to see you once again, Boston. How I love you. 

in the light of the sun, is there anyone? oh it has begun…
oh dear you look so lost, eyes are red and tears are shed,
this world you must’ve crossed…you said…

you don’t know me, you don’t even care,
you don’t know me, you don’t wear my chains…

essential and appealed, carry all your thoughts across  an open field,
when flowers gaze at you…they’re not the only ones who cry when they see you, you said…

you don’t know me, you don’t even care,
you don’t know me, you don’t wear my chains…

she said i think i’ll go to boston; i think i’ll start a new life,
i think i’ll start it over, where no one knows my name,
i’ll get out of california, i’m tired of the weather,
i think i’ll get a lover and fly em out to spain…
i think i’ll go to boston,; i think that i’m just tired
i think i need a new tow, to leave this all behind…
i think i need a sunrise, i’m tired of the sunset,
i hear it’s nice in the summer, some snow would be nice…
boston…where no one knows my name…

“Boston” by Augustana in 2009 is not the newest song but I honestly believe it’s one of the best songs in the last decade. It has to be a newer version of Piano rock songs that has gotten attention and because Piano rock isn’t something like Punk rock with a huge fanfare, it’s not much appreciated either.

When I first heard this song back around the time when it came out, it absolutely caught me. I was trapped in its tune. I can’t stop listening to it on nights when new music isn’t the best to listen to. It’s one of the better played radio songs from my high school career.

Augustana is one of my favorite Piano Rock bands. Tell us about what you like from Piano Rock or from Augustana.

Augustana has also announced an album by Late 2009, nothing further mentioned yet.

ugggghhh. k so this week has been better than last, but i pretty much lost track of all my routines. woops. anyway i’ve lost 8 lbs so far! yay!!!!! i’m so happy i’m gonna meet my goal! i can’t wait til i get to arizona to see all my friends and family! i’ve missed them so much. it feels nice to have everything the way they’re supposed to be. i know that can’t last forever but i’m gonna enjoy it while i can.

today’s song is Hotel Roosevelt by Augustana

this is one of my two favorite songs by this band. the music makes me happy and i love how honest it is. it’s just another one of those songs i can’t listen to without getting rid of any outside noise. listen up!

last call
for the moon tonight and
read all
rain on friday night and
take back
all the things you said
lay down
rest your pretty head now
now
last call
no more drinks tonight and
it’s not your fault
it’s time to walk away from
this velvet box
full of alcohol and
tv talks
gone on far to long
take anything that’s better for me
take anything that’s better for you
take anything that’s better for me
take it now

shut up i’m wrong i know
we can talk about it
all of the wars we lost
we’re still walking home
and don’t give me your reasons
for all my bad intentions
new york, LA, hey man
you know they’re all the same

last call
everyone go home and
take all
of the LA rain in
cause it won’t fall
too much more this year and
summer’s gone
but i’m still right here
take anything that’s better for me
take anything that’s better for you
take anything that’s better for me
take it now

shut up i’m wrong i know
we can talk about it
all of the wars we lost
we’re still walking home and
don’t give me your reasons
for all my bad intentions
new york LA hey man
you know it’s all the same now

new york LA hey man
you know it’s all the same and
new york LA hey man
you know it’s all the same and

hey man hey man