I haven’t seen or heard much from this band for a long while, but I still love them.  Coyote Bones started in 2006 and has been road tripping since.  This band had originally formed to see friends and place music for them.  Coyote Bones then turned into a full fledged band that’s been recording and touring ever since. Their sounds are/were always evolving, the live show just kept getting better and better, and then they disappeared.  I feel the need to feature them because I miss seeing them live.  Their shows and music are very heartfelt, and they are the nicest people in the world.  I wonder where they vanished to?
Some bands that have influenced their sound are, of course, The Faint, Tilly and the Wall and other favorite locals such as Connor Oberst.
As far as I know they have no new shows coming up and I couldn’t even tell you the band members names because I can’t find any information about them anywhere.  If you know anything about them, send me a comment.
So checkout their videos and dance!:

Zooey Deschanel and M Ward have announced a release date and tracklist for the forthcoming She & Him album, Volume Two, described by Zooey as a “feelgood” record. What we previously thought would be a fully self-penned set will actually feature two covers – of ’60s rock band NRBQ’s ‘Ridin’ In My Car’ and of the Skeeter Davis number ‘Gonna Get Along Without You Now’. First single ‘In The Sun’ will feature guest vocals from Tilly & The Wall, while album closer ‘If You Can’t Sleep’ is fully a cappella. Volume Two is released through Double Six on April 5

Volume Two
01 Thieves
02 In The Sun
03 Don’t Look Back
04 Ridin’ In My Car
05 Lingering Still
06 Me & You
07 Gonna Get Along Without You Now
08 Home
09 I’m Gonna Make It Better
10 Sing
11 Over It Over Again
12 Brand New Shoes
13 If You Can’t Sleep

Alan Pedder

I can’t help but love a band that can substitute tap and flamenco for drums. Tilly and the Wall manage to make really catchy songs while redefining what a rock band is.

Tilly And The Wall “Bad Education”

Like what you see feel free to email me at tad@creativesquall.com and don’t forget to become a fan on Facebook. Check out the Creative Squall website to see how sketches grow up to be complete ideas.

Dutchess/Duke, Makes It Hard
Jenny Toomey, Breezewood, PA
Tiny Animals, Answer Me
Tracy + the Plastics, Quaasars
The Ettes, I Can’t Be True
Rokia Traore, The Man I Love
Romana Falls, Salt Jack
Touch My Rash, Wasting Life
Madison Park, Another Yesterday
Tom Tom Club, (C’mon) Surrender
Times New Viking, No Time, No Hope
Travis Pickle, Born Again
Juliana Hatfield, We’re Not in Charleston Anymore
Mary Timony, The Owl’s Escape
The Pneurotics, Roses
Tilly and the Wall, Cacophony
Blue Rabbit, Sleep
Tiny Vipers, Outside
Hey Ocean, Too Soon
Times New Viking, The Wait
Music Go Music, I Walk Alone
Tiger Trap, Treasure
Imogen Heap, Earth
Tilt, Annie Segall
Karen O and the Kids, Building All Is Love
The Ting Tings, That’s Not My Name
Polaroid Fame, Wanna Know
Throwing Muses, Bright Yellow Gun
Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson, I Don’t Know What to Do
The Thermals, I Let It Go
That Dog, Did You Ever
The Bad Plus joined by Wendy Lewis, Barracuda

After another month of writing, I have enough for yet another big purchase. I’m typing on my HP Mini right now, and yes, I absolutely adore Eurydice, but now I have someone/something else on my mind. There’s something I’ve been wanting for a few months now, and right now it seems unbearable to me that I don’t have him (it) yet.

Pandora just isn’t cutting it anymore. This little square 4 GB iPod that I received for my fourteenth birthday was the light of my life for so long. But, in the past month, Pandora has seen more of the ground than she had throughout her entire two year existence. I was the first one in school to have the first video nano, but now it’s outdated and doesn’t have enough storage. She’s right next to me in her little pink leather jacket and is connected to my record player’s iPod jack so I can hear some Tilly and the Wall at a higher volume. But, at the moment I’m really craving some of The Submarines, whose music I did not have room to fit on Pandora.

For about a month I contemplated what iPod I would get after I got my laptop. My first choice was always the iPod Classic. I realized that the iPod Touch is basically for people who just want the apps and aren’t all about the music, which is the sole purpose why I want/NEED a new iPod. I considered the new iPod nano (Chromatic), but then realized that having a video camera on an iPod with so little storage would be tempting and stupid at the same time. Once again, I would be too busy monkeying around with that rather than listening to tunage. I do plan on purchasing an iPod shuffle in the future, just to have to run with or whatever, but it’s not going to be my main man.

And so, the choice was unanimous. Next week when I get my check, I’m off to the Apple store to pick up Orpheus and let him join my electronic family (Pandora, Narcissus and Eurydice; I have yet to name some other things). I will most likely end up buying the silver iPod classic, just so it’s not identical to my brother’s black one. He and Pandora will have to share my iHome, but I think I’ll put Pandora into retirement for a little while. She’s done a good job for two years and deserves a break. I’m just excited to finally be able to go from every Brand New CD to Paramore’s released and unreleased music to Vampire Weekend to John Mayer to Lady GaGa all on the same iPod. The thought of having my entire music library in my pocket is exhilarating. I can’t wait to put song after song on an iPod without having to take something off, first.

In honor of “Where the Wild Things Are” theatrical release, and the incredible Karen O soundtrack, this week’s mixery theme has gone “wild”.

Wild Mixery [zip]
MP3: Patrick Watson – Where The Wild Things Are
MP3: Blitzen Trapper – Wild Mountain Nation
MP3: Great Lake Swimmers – I Saw You In The Wild
MP3: Tilly and the Wall – You And I Misbehaving (From Wild Like Children)
MP3: Karen O and the Kids – Capsize (From Where The Wild Things Are)

Since the movie Whip It opens today, here is After The Show’s overview of Whip It’s soundtrack.

The soundtrack has 21 songs — most tracks are album only, so it makes sense to purchase the entire album on iTunes for $9.99.

Tracklisting:

1. Pot Kettle Black – Tilly and the Wall

2. Sheena Is a Punk Rocker – The Ramones

3. What’s the Attitude – Cut Chemist, Hymnal

4. Bang on – The Breeders

5. Dead Sound – The Raveonettes

6. Blue Turning Grey – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

7. Your Arms Around Me – Jens Lekman

8. Learnalilgivinanlovin – Gotye

9. Boys Wanna Be Her – Peaches

10. Jolene – Dolly Parton

11. Caught Up in You – .38 Special

12. Never My Love – Har Mar Superstar feat. Adam Green

13. Black Gloves – Goose

14. Crown of Age – The Ettes

15. High Times – Landon Pigg, Turbo Fruits

16. Unattainable – Little Joy

17. Lollipop [Squeak E. Clean & Desert Eagles Remix] – The Chordettes

18. Doing It Right – The Go! Team

19. Breeze – Apollo Sunshine

20. Know How – Young MC

21. The Road to Austin – The Section Quartet

Highlights:

“Pot Kettle Black” by Tilly and the Wall:

“Dead Sound” by The Raveonettes:

“Your Arms Around Me” by Jens Lekman:

“Jolene” by Dolly Parton:

“Doing It Right” by The Go! Team:

Emma-Lee Moss nasceu em 1984 em Hong Kong e mudou-se para Londres ainda com 12 anos.

Emmy the Great, nasceu em 2oo5 e vive até hoje no cenário de cantores de ruas e pubs.

As duas são a mesma pessoa e seu som folk aproxima tanto as pessoas que as tornam uma só também e sua carreira musical é bem diversa – apesar de só ter lançado um álbum de estúdio até hoje, First Love em 9 de fevereiro desse ano. Ela já excursionou com artista de talento e renome como Tilly and the Wall, Martha Wainwright e toca muitas vezes em dueto dividindo o mesmo palco com músicas e bandas como Fyfe Dangerfield.

Emmy, A Grande é realmente majestosa em técnica e vocais, além de suas letras bem rimadas e irreverentes. É algo bom para se ouvir numa viajem [um dia ainda ouço]. Aqui para download o seu debut, First Love  Download

1 – Absentee

Most people describe my musical taste as odd or unique, and I can’t really argue with that statement.  However, this band is odd, even within my musical realm of wonders.  Flowers Forever is very easy to listen to, but if you see them live you are in for a culture shock, life shock, new understanding of the world?  Something crazy like that.  You might find yourself standing in the audience completely in awe, wondering what you are watching and trying to decide if that Kool-Aid you drank had something else in it.

The first time that I saw Flowers Forever was about two years ago in the cavernous, grimy depths of the Sokol, also known as the Sokol Underground.  I really had no idea what I was going to be watching and had never heard the band before.  Then all of a sudden, running from all directions of the audience in an uproar, a few strange characters dashed to the stage in dresses, even though they were men.  Each had body paint covering all of their skin that was exposed, and wigs that coincided with thoughts of Cher and Bob Mackie.  Then rips of the guitars shrieked and the synth wobbled my brain, as firecrackers exploded and the audience went absolutely crazy.  I have to say that I was in shock, and I can’t really say that about any show I’ve ever seen live before.  I was just mind-blown.  There was no other way to describe what I was thinking

Flowers Forever has a revolving lineup, but always features Derek Pressnall.  As many of you music buffs know, Pressnall is the guitarist and vocalist for Tilly and the Wall.  Derek picks who is in the band, and that is what keeps the band so fresh, fun, and oddly strange.  The music is always different, the costumes get crazier, and the experience is always very unique.  You will never see the same show twice, and who knows, you may not even remember seeing the show because it seems as if it is a dream.

Flowers Forever is signed to Team Love, just like Capgun Coup and Tilly and the Wall.  I feel that this is noteworthy because these bands often setup concerts together in local basements and concert venues all around town.  So if you ever have the chance to see Flowers Forever you might catch Tilly and the Wall or Capgun Coup.

To checkout more information about Flowers Forever, including their touring schedule, you can go to their Team Love site.  You can also become a friend of theirs on Facebook or MySpace.

To checkout some crazy stuff that Derek Pressnall does checkout these pages:
Mission Statement Video
Face Movement Video
Odd Music Video
Black Moon Music Video

DJ Tiësto conjugó este preparado trance/pop utilizando la voz de Jón Thor (Jónsi) Birgisson, esa voz increíble, dulce y triste, que cuando la escuchás por primera vez parece que es de una mujer y que suena especialmente hermosa cuando es entonada en su idioma original, y armó un tema, un estado climático para bailar y chapotear (cómo están con el chapoteo, el otro proyecto de Birgisson por fuera de Sigur Rós va con un chapoteo atrás del otro, algo sobre lo que los oportunistas creativos publicitarios ya vienen sacando apuntes). Bueh, el tema en cuestión le da nombre al disco, que se lama Kaleidoscope, que saldrá el 20 de octubre a través del sello Ultra, y que cuenta con otras colaboraciones, como las de Kele Okereke, de Bloc Party y Kianna Alarid de Tilly and the Wall.

Así que, ahí van los links a

—>presentación de la canción en Pitchfork,

—>sitio del terraja de Tiësto,

—> nota sobre el disco y sobre la canción con Jónsi.

It is a beautiful Saturday afternoon and the sun is shining (finally the rain stopped!) and my window is open (finally less than 90 degrees outside!) so that the sounds of the not-so-recent album that has become my pretty-recent obsession can flood the neighborhood and all the little children riding their bikes in circles on my street can learn about “the shit gets thicker” and “don’t go f—ing around in the garden.”  But seriously, I know Tilly & the Wall’s o came out like a year ago and a ton of people have already jumped that train, but my sister just bought it and let me borrow it and then she went to college and now I get it forever (until she comes back).  So I’m going to talk about it now.  (p.s. next week I’m going to write about more Dutch music, so if you miss Dutch Week, you should come back next week for the Subhuman and Lost Bears!)

I love Tilly & the Wall for their witty honesty, their playfulness, and their tap dancer.  Musically speaking, they have a pretty distinct sound that isn’t at all gimmicky, which is saying a lot for a band that has a tap dancer instead of a drummer.  “Tall Tall Grass” and “Chandelier Lake” are beautiful and melodic, while “Pot Kettle Black,” “Poor Man’s Ice Cream,” and “Too Excited” are percussive and sort of anthemic…maybe actually more like cheers than anthems.  I don’t know, I’m not very good at this song-labelling.  Anyway, you can yell “talk that talk that smack!” and “poor man’s ice cream poor man’s ice cream!” along with the band, and it’s pretty fun.  Then you’ve got the playful dancey feel of “Alligator Skin” and “Dust Me Off,” which I listen to on repeat when I’m having a bad day.  How do you possibly use a tap dancer instead of a drummer, you ask?  I don’t know, but they do it, and it works.  Combined with piano, bells and shakers, you get a unique percussive sound, not too heavy, and just quirky enough to be cool.

You know how much I love lyrics, and I have found Tilly & the Wall to be a place of comfort and understanding, which sounds amazingly dorky, but guess what, I don’t care.  Eric has said it and I will too–it’s nice to hear artists singing about things we experience every day, like gossip and loneliness and infatuation.  My favorite songs on the album are my favorites partly because of sound (“Falling Without Knowing” has the coolest electronic melodic sound ever), but also primarily because of lyrics.  Example: “Dust Me Off”: “Sometimes looks aren’t on my side/got me shaking, up all night/and there’s nothing I can do/but I wanna talk to you/this shit’s making me feel bad/I’m so sick of feeling sad/why can’t I shake this mess…”  It’s just fabulous.  Also, on “Pot Kettle Black” they do not hold back–”the trash washes up to shore/even in this landlocked place/the shit gets thicker/its toxic, get it out of my face/pot kettle pot kettle black/talk that talk that smack(!!!!)”–and who doesn’t love that?

All I have to say about this album can be wrapped up in the lyrics of “Tall Tall Grass”…when there wasn’t anywhere for me to go, oh I stumbled into deep love with your rock’n'roll.  Thanks, Tilly & the Wall, for your sheer awesomeness.  Check out the video.

TILLY & THE WALL – ALLIGATOR SKIN from Team Love on Vimeo.

Saw this band last summer in Vancouver opening for CSS. And yes there is a tap dancer in the mix! Love love them.

Hello Bowsers.

I think if I took my temperature right now, I’d be like 400 degrees, Fahrenheit.

Yeah, okay, I probably wouldn’t be alive if that were the case but I swear my blood is boiling.

BOILING.

I have trouble cooperating with dopes.

Dopes make my blood boil – I can’t be certain, but I really swear my blood is boiling.

Eh, I’ll just put ice on my veins.

Or I could walk around with my Blood Pressure watch on and monitor my BP…I’m guessing that it spikes up to about 160 at around 9am [just a guess].

And then it resumes its normal rate at around 5pm [again, just a guess].

Anyways, I’m listening to Camera Obscura’s radio today because I need to chill the fuck out.

I wish I had some life pills to get my head on straight but you can’t go around relying on life pills, so therefore music will be my life pills:

Los Campesinos! – You! Me! Dancing! full track Listening now

Acid House Kings – Sunday Morning full track 4 minutes ago

Au Revoir Simone – Trace a Line full track 8 minutes ago

The Aislers Set – Last Match 11 minutes ago

Tilly and the Wall – Lost Girls 13 minutes ago

The Concretes – You Can’t Hurry Love full track 16 minutes ago

Camera Obscura – Come Back Margaret full track 20 minutes ago

Listening to Camera Obscura is good for the brain.

Breathing and listening, listening and breathing.

OKAY—moving on.

I ended up going to Sauce’s softball game last night because I was feeling bored and didn’t want to go home and be bored.

Ever since I’ve been doing pilates or yoga in the AM, I haven’t been doing it at night and I think I may switch it up and do morning pilates/yoga and then other days do evening workouts—because it keeps me from being bored.

So I went to the game and there season ended last night and it’s just in time for Monday night football, HAR HAR HAR.

Though if memory serves me correct [which it probably serves me wrong, very wrong], a lot of the Jets’ games were on Sunday but still, football Sunday/Monday/Thursday [do they still do Thursday?].

I feel like just when I adjust to watching baseball, football has to start and then hockey and then baseball, and then football, and then hockey; shits never ending.

I made BBQ chicken last night with BBQ 3000 and Kansas City sauce plus red pepper flakes.

I had 2 tallboys and I felt hella drunk for some reason…which leads me to believe that the tallboys were tainted with sleepy drugs because I went right to be at like 10ish.

Tonight me and BNY are going to the bridal garden and she’s going to try on dresses and I’m going to take pictures and throw rice at her head.

I’m pretty excited considering I’ve been MIA from her whole bridal planning — I think it’s fun when you’re watching your bestfwend plan her wedding [a little less than a year away]—it’s more special.

Side-bar: I read on some website she sent me that it takes a year to plan a proper wedding—what proper means—but my friend BB did it in like 6 months so I guess it all depends on what sort of vision you have. My vision is me and Wordy going to Antarctica and getting married in an igloo with a Eskimo presiding over us and a yeti as our witness but that’s just me.

Hello Bowsers.

I think if I took my temperature right now, I’d be like 400 degrees, Fahrenheit.

Yeah, okay, I probably wouldn’t be alive if that were the case but I swear my blood is boiling.

BOILING.

I have trouble cooperating with dopes.

Dopes make my blood boil – I can’t be certain, but I really swear my blood is boiling.

Eh, I’ll just put ice on my veins.

Or I could walk around with my Blood Pressure watch on and monitor my BP…I’m guessing that it spikes up to about 160 at around 9am [just a guess].

And then it resumes its normal rate at around 5pm [again, just a guess].

Anyways, I’m listening to Camera Obscura’s radio today because I need to chill the fuck out.

I wish I had some life pills to get my head on straight but you can’t go around relying on life pills, so therefore music will be my life pills:

Los Campesinos! – You! Me! Dancing! full track Listening now

Acid House Kings – Sunday Morning full track 4 minutes ago

Au Revoir Simone – Trace a Line full track 8 minutes ago

The Aislers Set – Last Match 11 minutes ago

Tilly and the Wall – Lost Girls 13 minutes ago

The Concretes – You Can’t Hurry Love full track 16 minutes ago

Camera Obscura – Come Back Margaret full track 20 minutes ago

Listening to Camera Obscura is good for the brain.

Breathing and listening, listening and breathing.

OKAY—moving on.

I ended up going to Sauce’s softball game last night because I was feeling bored and didn’t want to go home and be bored.

Ever since I’ve been doing pilates or yoga in the AM, I haven’t been doing it at night and I think I may switch it up and do morning pilates/yoga and then other days do evening workouts—because it keeps me from being bored.

So I went to the game and there season ended last night and it’s just in time for Monday night football, HAR HAR HAR.

Though if memory serves me correct [which it probably serves me wrong, very wrong], a lot of the Jets’ games were on Sunday but still, football Sunday/Monday/Thursday [do they still do Thursday?].

I feel like just when I adjust to watching baseball, football has to start and then hockey and then baseball, and then football, and then hockey; shits never ending.

I made BBQ chicken last night with BBQ 3000 and Kansas City sauce plus red pepper flakes.

I had 2 tallboys and I felt hella drunk for some reason…which leads me to believe that the tallboys were tainted with sleepy drugs because I went right to be at like 10ish.

Tonight me and BNY are going to the bridal garden and she’s going to try on dresses and I’m going to take pictures and throw rice at her head.

I’m pretty excited considering I’ve been MIA from her whole bridal planning — I think it’s fun when you’re watching your bestfwend plan her wedding [a little less than a year away]—it’s more special.

Side-bar: I read on some website she sent me that it takes a year to plan a proper wedding—what proper means—but my friend BB did it in like 6 months so I guess it all depends on what sort of vision you have. My vision is me and Wordy going to Antarctica and getting married in an igloo with a Eskimo presiding over us and a yeti as our witness but that’s just me.

Yesterday was Kristin’s birthday and because she is my friend and I have been slacking off lately, I suggested she take the week off. (Also, I am too cheap to buy her a real present.) Sorry folks, you’re stuck with me for the week, but at least you’ll get a brief respite on Wednesday, because I have another guest submission from Dan Holloway. I guess every cloud really does have a silver lining.

But wait, it gets worse. I have been crazy busy lately: the Dublin Irish Festival last weekend followed almost immediately by four and a half days out of town (that’s a lot of hours in my car and even more scones). Consequently, I have had very little time to explore and have been listening almost exclusively to Julie Fowlis, Tilly & the Wall, and the Pipettes. (In the process, I learned a beautiful Scots lullaby, which I will be happy to sing to you, if you are a girl.) So, unless you really want to hear more about one of those artists, you will have to content yourself with the news contained in this article.

In case any of you actually expressed interest in the initial clause of that last sentence, you may be interested to know that Rose Elinor Dougall, formerly Rosay of the Pipettes, is in the process of releasing her second single as a solo artist, with plans to put out a full LP some time in 2010. Also, Gwenno Saunders, currently of the Pipettes, had some success with Welsh and Cornish language electropop before joining the band.

Word from Cardiff is that The School are in post production of their debut LP. Mastering and production work were completed on Wednesday. From what I hear, all that is left to work out are the singles, artwork, and that sort of thing, hopefully to be completed in time for an October release.

Not to mention, we are but a fortnight removed from Fun’s Aim and Ignite and Imogen Heap’s Ellipse. Of course, you knew that already. What you may not know is that you can stream Aim and Ignite on MySpace right now.

Even more pressing, however, is the imminent release of the new album, Silent City (featuring Will Oldham, a.k.a. Bonnie “Prince” Billy, on three tracks), by Columbus, Ohio’s own Brian Harnetty. That is, it comes out tomorrow. For you locals, there is a release party at Rumba on Friday. Super Desserts will also be playing. I’ve heard Brian perform once before, in a local used record store. It was a low-key affair, but I was transfixed. He is Paste’s “Artist of the Week“, and deservedly so.

For my inaugural “Music Monday” post, I think it would be appropriate to start with my favorite band of all time.

Founded in Omaha, Nebraska and notorious for having a tap dancer instead of a drummer, Tilly and the Wall is a band you don’t want to miss if you have a chance to see live. A self-proclaimed “tilly kid,” I’ve been fortunate to see them live at the Grog Shop in Cleveland, and they come highly recommended from me. That may or may not be because they are my all-time favorite band and I have a bit of a bias, but seriously, check them out. Their shows are upbeat and highly entertaining.

Myself, with Kiana (lead vocals/bass guitar) from T&TW. Photo courtesy of Sarah Hensey

Myself and friends with Jamie Pressnal (tap dancer/percussionist) from T&TW. Photo courtesy of Sarah Hensey

The Band-
Kianna Alarid (vocals/shakers/tambourine/recorder/bass)
Neely Jenkins (vocals/shakers/bells/bass)
Derek Pressnall (vocals, guitar)
Jamie Pressnall (tap dancer)
Nick White (keyboard)

Current Album- “O”
Current Song- Dust Me Off
All-time Favorite Tilly Song- Lost Girls

I’ve been gone but not forgotten. Just being dealing with life in all its confusion, misunderstanding, and glory. Anyhow, this iMix was intended for July 4th but it wasn’t ready. In any case, the main issue being dealt with here is timeless. Enjoy, comment, and spread. Click pic for download.

TRACKLISTING

I want my life to be the way a Tilly and the Wall song makes me feel. Like tap dancing on the old green linoleum in my parents house with my Easter shoes on and not caring that it sounds really bad. I want my paintings and drawings to tell these stories and the problem is they never seem to capture the feeling Im feeling when Im thinking about California and walking across the street to the ocean or getting a necklace she would sell on the beach. and how I felt that summer for 3 weeks in the car when we ate peanut putter and apple finger sandwiches and took a fairie in Seatle where I lost said necklace. They just dont feel the same. I want to move people like Jenny Lewis’ lyrics changed my soul and I dont know if I have it in me but I want it. I dont make work anymore because of this. Its like torture but its all I want to make and all think I can make anymore but it never seems to capture those moments like words do. Like when I first heard Gregory and the Hawks song Boats and Birds and knew I needed her words on me forever. Or when my sister bought me the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack and there was a song by flemming and john on it that I really took to heart. and maybe thats the point… Maybe I cant make things like this because you had to be there. You had to be there to experience the sun and the grass and how it felt to play preditor prey at atwood in elementary school and how exilerating it felt to be hidden in plain view among tall overgrown fields and not even care that the bugs where biting you because it felt good to feel wild.

“Love Songs”

Sing me a song without any words
I’ll pretend you wrote it just for me
Paint me a picture with images blurred
So I can see what I want to see

I want to see you and me
Happy together, singing love songs

Tell me that story again the one that has no ending
And that will be the story of you and me
It never ends it never begins it just keeps on going like it is
And maybe that’s the way that it should be

I want to see you and me
Happy together, singing love songs

Get me out of here, oh, get me anyplace away from here
I cannot see just what I want to see
Oh, I rely on you to get me where I’m going to
Anywhere with you is where I want to be

I want to see you and me
Happy together, singing love songs

- Fleming and John

“The days start to fade out of the frame,
like they’re blurring into to someone else’s name.”

I started early, took my bike

and visited the creek.

The sparkles on the water

came out to look at me.

For my new job I am both the writer and the photographer. So, for the story I am working on at this moment I set out early this morning to capture the necessary photographs.

I learned today that it is not all about me. For my job I am merely a bystander capturing happenings in the lives of others. I’m slowly adjusting to the fact that for my future I cannot write about myself, much as I want to. That’s what I have a blog for.

I rode my bike downtown with my rucksack in tow. My rucksack held my camera, two memory cards, Pandora, a bike lock, a notebook or two, a bottle of water and a pen (of course!). I timed myself and found that it took about twenty minutes to get all the way down to St. John’s park with Tilly and the Wall keeping me company the entire way. I got there, was shaking a little bit when I had to lock my bike up, but I swallowed my nervousness and got right to work. I wandered around snapping pictures left and right. 10-15 minutes later, I was finished. I unlocked my bike and rode off into the sunset (okay, not really).

I visited the office where I work and asked for my portfolio back, and then, with that added onto the load I was carrying on my back, I rode on to Tim Horton’s and got myself a well-deserved Iced Cap. The cashier (whose nametag revealed that her name was Hayley and that she was “in training”) told me that she loved my wallet and added an “Emily the Strange, right?” to which I nodded and said “I’m obsessed” and she added in her love for Emily as well. I was planning on staying in the restaurant and writing by myself, but I was surrounded by old people and the weather was too nice out to be inside.

I steered my bike with one hand over to Creekside Park and sat on the cement block that juts out of the ground. I enjoyed my Iced Cap and watched the water. Then I removed my notebooks and pen from my rucksack and added onto the assignment I already started. I sat there on that cement block just enjoying being really alone for the first time in a long time. I wrote a poem that I am really proud of and just enjoyed the little bit of nature hidden in our little village. I discovered that I really like being alone. I didn’t have to talk to anyone. I didn’t have to deal with anyone. I didn’t have to worry whether or not my companion was having a good time or not because, well, I did not have a companion. Some people can’t deal with being alone, but I definitely handle it well.

After my realization I was in such a good mood that I mounted my bike with Tilly in my ears again and took a leisurely ride through the neighborhoods that surrounded me. I probably received several dirty looks for smiling for no reason (nobody seems to smile anymore!) and singing along to the music playing in my ears, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t stop. I haven’t been this happy in a long time. The weather was nice, I used all five of my senses, and I actually lived today. I took a couple hours off from reality and really lived. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Let us be free, let us sing songs along
the bottoms of barrels, let us be free
let us be free, let us sing songs along
the bottoms of barrels, let us be free

If you want me here, you can have me here
if you want me now, you can have me now
if you want me down, oh i will get real low
you better believe i’ll be down by your shoes
if you want it all, you can have it all
if you want some more, come and get some more
’cause the dirt feels good when you’re underground
you better believe that we’re all getting down
you that us feral kids love straying about
so start giving in, yeah you better get down

Tilly and the Wall on Sesame Street! The lyrics are a little elementary, but the energy’s nice..

“ABCs,” Tilly and the Wall

-LisaM.

Short Version: Stamp your feet. It’s free therapy. It’s part of the process.

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Long Version:

Status update around 20:30 June 20, 2009:

GF soup’s up, soup’s eaten, life is soup… mine’s with chilies & I don’t need no stock cube! / osteo says no and since I’m paying I acquiesce outwardly – on the inside someone is stamping his foot accompanied by “I don’t want to!” another is saying: “You idiot. You know what’s good for you… so get on with it!” LEARNING: What’s good for you is not always is not always what you want. Didn’t I learn this when I was 3?

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Right now: Saturday night and I’m at home alone. I was invited out and declined, I cancelled other arrangements elsewhere and actively chose to have a quiet one instead. I’m allowed to. I have been out and/or with others every Saturday night bar two this year. [Oh man! I so have a thing about Saturday nights… so much more growing up to do…] it’s Saturday night and I’m as antsy as… I knew that nana nap was going to undo me… No. It’s not the nap. I’m grumpy and I have been for over 24 hours. Here we go…

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Ok. So I’m running a lot these days and enjoying it immensely, despite being told it’s not the greatest exercise for your body. Too much shock… Trouble is it makes so much sense to me and that’s a good thing when loads of things are nonsense and get too much energy and attention [GF: another reason we don’t have a TV].

Yesterday my osteopath told me to lay off the running for a few days – just a few days – so that my body could sort itself a little in relation to some adjustments [I did have my leg pulled – both of them] and an awesome massage from the myotherapist.

First response: “I don’t want to! I’m running home from work tonight and then going out for dinner!”

[Running home from work – there’s symbolism in this - maybe that’s why I like it so much… are we all running away from work? Interestingly, this is the first job I have had that has had both containment and interest and gives me real lunch hours – it’s also the first job I have had where I have run from work “all the way home” – see the pigs…]

Second response: “Don’t stamp your foot GF! You know what happened last time” [see “END BITS”, they’re at the end]

Third response: “It’s only for a few days. I can do this.”

So I walked out the door after paying the account thinking: “You’re paying the money, now get your money’s worth and do as your told.” No running till next Tuesday.  Not happy Jan.

Then I saw the 112 tram leave my stop and I ran to the next one. I secured my place on the tram and was grateful for a timely red light. [Where is that gratitude journal?]

Sitting down I realised that I had just not done what I was told.

Technically I was ‘advised’ not to run. That’s not the same as being told what to do. Why did I hear it as being ‘told’?

Realisation One? (not sure if this came first): I don’t like being told what to do. I never have. I’m a little sensitive about that.

I have spent huge chunks of my life doing what I was told, doing what was expected of me and getting others to do what I told them.

None of it sits comfortably with me right now. I’m thinking back to hanging with 9F in 2005 at Heathmont: it was all about control and I wanted none of it. I disliked being controlled and here I was controlling others and setting an agenda that I didn’t care much for… thanks guys for making me realise what it was like to be controlled and what it was like to be told what to do. I wonder where you all are now.

What is my issue with control? Why does this feel so uncomfortable now?

Does control stop me from being me? I think control is going to feature in that box where I put the word ‘should’… back off Pandora or I’ll give you a fat lip!

Yet self-control does keep me well… I get more sleep. My bank balance is healthier. I eat food that nourishes. I exercise more…

Got it!

Realisation Two: Stamp your feet!

What I needed to do yesterday morning was to stamp my foot! I got advice that I didn’t like. What I wanted to be was petulant and annoyed. What I did was be ‘grown up’ and sensible (apart from running for the 112). What it got me was grumpy and ants in my pants.

Stamping your foot. It’s one of the best therapies. Stamping your feet means you feel it, means you experience it. You own it. I’m pissed off and not going for a run isn’t going to feel good till I stamp my foot! Excuse me a minute…

That’s better… no really it is.

I think kids have got the right idea. Not happy? Stamp your feet and move on. It’s the physical equivalent of telling yourself to get over it [Kids also know how much real fun is involved in jumping in puddles].

Now I know some would say that such physical outbursts are in fact about getting your own way. But in my case that’s not really it. Because what I want is to run well in Sydney in August and not stuff my lower back and that means doing what George advises. So the stamping is about processing and acceptance.

Cool. I will stamp till I am no longer Cranky Franky. This might mean I have to make up a playlist featuring stomping tracks including, “These boots are made for walking”. Then put the ear buds in and march around Prahran looking for puddles to jump in. If no puddles, I will march around till I find a pile of fallen leaves and kick them all over the place. And then I will find myself laughing at myself and / or laughing with the people laughing at me. I feel much better.

“Are you ready boots? Start walkin’!”

Geez I need an ABBA song. One of the up ones… “Bang-A-Boomerang” or “Kisses of Fire” ought to do it.

No. I need a song about stamping and control…

Awesome. Found one:

Here we go…

“Beat Control” by Tilly and the Wall:

All these people talking ’bout you now

They don’t make no difference, no

We always have the rhythm here

In our blood and in our souls

So let the beat control you now

There’s nothing here to care about

Just you and me, let’s break it down

So follow me, I’ll show you how

Check: http://tillyandthewall.com/

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Right now (updated): It’s Saturday night, I have a massive grin on my face, and I’ve laughed silly. I wish it wasn’t so cold outside and that there were some puddles about. I have played “Beat Control” several times. I am feeling fine about no running for a while… my higher self is looking out for me – I acquiesce and know that sometimes, what’s good for you isn’t what you want and often it’s not pleasant. I learnt this when I was 3 but a refresher is sometimes a really good idea.

I might go to bed early…

Oh no…

Here comes “Make me!”

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END BITS:

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I will write about soup more fully another day.

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FOOT STAMPING INCIDENT

When:

A Monday night after GST’s Pump class in Winter 2007

Where:

Bottom of the escalators at platform 2, Melbourne Central Station

Why:

I’d just missed the Frankston train – was living with beautiful souls in Chelsea. How’s the couch guys?

Outcome:

A woman laughed at me and then I laughed at me. Then I got stuck in my head trying to remember when was the last time I stamped my foot. I couldn’t remember. I’m sure this missed train experience wasn’t the first time. I must ask Dad.

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Maybe staying home wasn’t a very good idea? Maybe I needed to dance it off? I do have one of those medallion thingies with a trolley on it… it’s not yet midnight… hmmmmm…

Self control, GF…

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One of my brothers used to kangaroo hop. I get it now. No one said you had to stamp your feet one at a time.

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All this blah blah blah made it to a word document firstly and then brought to you with the support and assistance of

1) The following songs on a playlist:

• “Oh Yeah” by Roxy Music
• “What is life?” by George Harrison
• “Beat Contol” by Tilly and the Wall
• “That’s not my name” by the Ting Tings
• “So lonely” by the Police
• “Fast Horse” by Tori Amos
• “Mixed Emotions” by the Rolling Stones
• “Legend of a Cowgirl” by Imani Coppola
• “Waiting for the Sun” by Powderfinger

2) The following words:

tan·trum (tān’trəm)

n.  A fit of bad temper. Also called regionally hissy2, hissy fit

[dictionary.com]

A tantrum is an emotional outburst of ill humor or a fit of bad temper wherein the higher brain functions are unable to stop the emotional expression of the lower (emotional and physical) brain functions. It can be categorized by an irrational fit of crying, screaming, defiance, angry ranting and a resistance to every attempt at pacification in which even physical control is lost. The person may not stand or sit on their own. Even when the “goal” of the person is met, he or she is not calmed.

[Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantrum]

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pet·u·lant (pěch’ə-lənt)

1. Forward; pert; insolent; wanton.

2. Capriciously fretful; characterized by ill-natured freakishness; irritable. “Petulant moods.”

3. 1599, “immodest, wanton, saucy,” from M.Fr. petulant (1350), from L. petulantem (nom. petulans) “wanton, froward, insolent,” from the root of petere “rush at, seek” (see petition). Meaning “peevish

[dictionary.com]

[GF: love the saucy nature of this word…]

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ac⋅qui⋅esce  [ak-wee-es]

–verb (used without object), -esced, -esc⋅ing.

to assent tacitly; submit or comply silently or without protest; agree; consent: to acquiesce halfheartedly in a business plan.

[dictionary.com]

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Other songs about control that sprang to mind but didn’t involve any stomping that I could immediately ascertain include:

“Total control” by the Motels:

And I’d sell my soul for

Total control

Yeah I’d sell my soul for

Total control

Ooh I’d sell my soul for

Total control over you

Over you

Total control over you

“Self control” by Laura Branigan:

You take my self, you take my self control

You got me livin’ only for the night

Before the morning comes, the story’s told

You take my self, you take my self control

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Miscellaneous Thoughts:

• Oh no! I told myself what to do. Man! This sucks!
• I think I want SingStar…
• Barcelona – I want to go back…
• The Dogs Bar will be fun…
• This was supposed to only take 30 mins…

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Dammit! The Doof Doof upstairs neighbours just got home – might be a late night after all…

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“What is life?” by George Harrison I grew up with Olivia Newton John’s

cover of this. Both have some excellent tambourine work. I still want to learn the tambourine. I must look Jackie up again and get some lessons.

When this song came on, the urge to dance around the lounge playing tambourine like Betty in “Everything’s Archie”, won.

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Sorry Pandora… we’re all curious…