"Peace First, Then Love!"

Legendary Producer and Musician Mark Hudson and I

I've been away a while and later I will write a long long entry as to why. However, for those that read this, I thought I would include this pic. Mark Hudson is an inspiration to me and I love the fact that I have had the pleasure of meeting him several times.

Peace and Love Mark!

Useless Information Bank

As those who know me are aware, I have a lot of information in my brain that many would think completely useless. There are topics, people, places and times that fascinate me, which in turn drives me to study them in depth. One such example is the 1960's music scene and the culture surrounding it. In fact, I even wrote a long paper on the influence of the Beatles on the culture and trends of the 1960's when I was in high school (can be found on my website - My Home to the right). If prompted, I could tell you the story of the night Donovan met the Beatles in Bob Dylan's London hotel room or let you know the long complex story behind the song "Layla". As I study these little obsessions of mine, I store the stories and facts into my memory. At any given time, I can recall and spout out these juicy tidbits, many of which are complete useless for the real world.

On the other hand, if you were to ask me what I did last Saturday night or what date I last talked to my friend in LA, I probably wouldn't be able to give you the right answer. Strange.

Many find this facet of my personality interesting and even charming. I guess it has a purpose then.

More later...

Mixology

If you've ever watched the movie or read the book High Fidelity, you'll know that the main character goes into a diatribe over the importance and significance of making a good mix tape.

I am a student of this ideology. I work very hard on my compilations when I take the time to create them. I tend to include appropriate dialog from movies or television that seem to fit the theme of the mix. And of course, the mix always has a theme or at least is geared for a certain person, creating a theme all its own. I've made mixes with names like "Wild Plums and Agrimony", "Staring into the Abyss", "Take A Drive...", "Beatle Bites", "True Romance", "Happy Crimble To All" and many more. I've compiled songs to create the illusion of a lover's quarrel or even a mental spiral down into depression and suicidal feelings.

There is an art to mixing together the masterpieces of others in order to convey a message to the listener. It's something I take very seriously with every mix I make. Music to me is one of the most intense forms of communication, second only to writing a letter. But imagine writing a letter through the music of others... what a power that could emit!

For Good

I don't usually do this, but I can't seem to express my feelings lately, so here's some lyrics that sum it up:

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives
For a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are lead to those
Who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return

Well I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today because I met you

Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes the sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever ways our stories end
I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend

Like a ship run from its mooring by a wind off the sea
Like a siege rocked by a sky bird in a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For all things I've done you blame me for
But then I guess
We know there's blame to share
And none of it seems to matter anymore

Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes the sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
I do believe I have been changed for the better
And because I knew you
Because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good

~Wicked

Inside-Out Girl

Inside-out girl, what's your game?
Wandering through life
Visible heart engulfed in flame
Inside-out girl, what's you name?

Inside-out girl, please don't cry
Who burnt you
Until you can no longer recognize
Inside-out girl, please don't die

Inside-out girl, why so low
Tough outer skin
Isn't something you can show
Inside-out girl, don't you know

Inside-out girl, pink and red
Once you were
Wholly in tact, toes to head
Inside-out girl, you've made you bed

Inside out girl, how's it to be
When the world
Tramples you under its feet
Inside out girl, aren't you me?

Original work - Copyright Maple de Fische 2004