How does it feel...
To be on your own...
With no direction home...
A complete unknown...
Like a rolling stone...
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Right Brain vs. Left Brain
I realized the past two posts have been very much from my left brain - very logical, very pragmatic - robots this and lasers that. This morning, even I couldn't follow half of that stuff.
Time to get in touch with my right brain again and talk about music, art, and language.
I recently discovered a beautiful German song, and would like to share it here with you. This is my attempt at translating, understanding and applying the lyrics.
Time to get in touch with my right brain again and talk about music, art, and language.
I recently discovered a beautiful German song, and would like to share it here with you. This is my attempt at translating, understanding and applying the lyrics.
| Cassandra Steen - Darum Leben Wir Wenn es dunkel wird, sagst du zu mir Das darf nie zu Ende sein. Und wenn es hell wird, sag ich zu dir Geh nicht, lass mich nicht allein, Denn wir sind doch eins. Nichts geschieht ein zweites Mal, Das kann nicht sein. Alles ist nur einmal da, Auch wenn es nicht so scheint. Und ich sag zu dem Moment: geh nicht vorbei, Bleib noch, Du bist viel zu schön. Und darum leben wir. Wir leben um da zu sein, Leben um wahr zu sein. Und darum leben wir. Und wir nehmen alles mit, Jeden Schmerz und alles Glück. Der Welt. In jeder Nacht bricht der erste Tag Vom Rest unseres Lebens an. Und jeden Morgen springen wir Direkt auf die Umlaufbahn. Wenn nicht heute, jetzt und hier, Wann und wo denn dann? Keiner kann die Zukunft sehen, Kennt den großen Plan. Und ich sag zu dem Moment: geh nicht vorbei, Bleib noch, Du bist viel zu schön. Und darum leben wir. Wir leben um da zu sein, Leben um wahr zu sein. Und darum leben wir. Und wir nehmen alles mit, Jeden Schmerz und alles Glück. Der Welt. Auch du hast es gesehen genau wie ich? Den Schmetterling im Schnee, Den Tunnel voller Licht. Auch du hast so wie ich, das Tal durchwandert. Und es gab keinen Weg zurück. Und darum leben wir. Wir leben um da zu sein, Leben um wahr zu sein. Und darum leben wir. Und wir nehmen alles mit, Jeden Schmerz und alles Glück. Der Welt. | Cassandra Steen - So We Live When it gets dark, you say to me It is never too late. And when it gets light, I say to you Do not go, do not leave me alone, Because we are one. Nothing happens a second time, That can not be. It's all just once, Even if it doesn't seem so. And I tell the moment: do not pass, Stay still, You are too beautiful. And so we live. We live to be, Live to be true. And so we live. And we accept everything, Every pain and every joy. The World. Every night breaks the first day From the rest of our lives. And every morning we jump Directly into the orbit. If not today, here and now, Then where and when? No one can see the future, Know the grand plan. And I tell the moment: do not pass, Stay still, You are too beautiful. And so we live. We live to be, Live to be true. And so we live. And we accept everything, Every pain and every joy. The World. Well, did you see it exactly as I? The butterfly in the snow, The tunnel filled with light. And you as I, wander through the valley. And there is no way back. And so we live. We live to be, Live to be true. And so we live. And we accept everything, Every pain and every joy. The World. |
Friday, March 11, 2011
Melophelia
Please click 'play' on the video, and then continue reading...
So... the past few days have been a little cold, a little grey, and a little dreary, which has been slowly bringing me down off of my high and into a slight state of melancholy. I've just been feeling a little flat - like a tire that just needs a bit of air.
Usually, when I start to feel this way I pick up my guitar and play Bach's 'Air on a String'. The lightness of the melody fills my soul with a fresh breath of much needed air, and I carry on. Or I call my friends and someone will go out with me, and we'll sit and talk and at the end of the night they will put their arms around me and warm me with their love.
Being here, I have no guitar... and I don't really have a friend who could give me a long, warm hug. I write in my blog and post pictures on Facebook just to feel connected to you guys, but the physical sensation that live music brings with the resonance of the strings, or the warmth of the human touch is lacking from my laptop.
Today I went to the Mensa (cafeteria) to have lunch. I sat by myself and looked out the window as I enjoyed a warm meal (this is a rare treat for me as I still don't have my kitchen fully set up). On my way out I heard a faint voice of a piano resonating through the walls. I knew right away it was a real piano as I could feel the vibration in my body, however faint.
I stopped.
It was coming from above. I slowly walked up the stairs and felt the music getting louder. I knew I was on the right track and my heart fluttered with excitement. I haven't heard a real piano in months, and the melody that was coming through the walls sent shivers through my whole body. On the top floor, there were two doors, and one was labeled "Musikzimmer"... I knew I found my haven.
I gently cracked open there door, and a wave of music washed over me. A student sitting behind the piano stopped playing and looked at me with surprise. I apologized for interrupting and told him that I heard beautiful music coming from the room, and I just had to experience it. I asked him if it was okay for me to be there and to just stand quietly and listen. He seemed taken aback by my desire to listen to him practice, and was very bashful about his performance. I told him I love music and just want to be in the room with the vibration - just for a little bit. He said it was no problem and continued playing.
I recorded a small segment of his performance, which you are hearing right now.
As I looked out the window at the grey clouds, his melody brought me to tears, and I was overjoyed to have been at the right place at the right time.
On my way out I thanked him profusely for letting me stay for a bit and told him his music moved me beyond words. I told him that I had just come from Canada last week and have been feeling a bit down the past few days, but that his music lifted my soul and brought me right back home. He appreciated my compliments and said that the only music he knows from Canada is Celine Dion and Bryan Adams. I laughed and explained that his music didn't take me back home to Canada, but rather brought my soul to a place of peace and comfort. The warm vibrations of the strings wrapped around me like the arms of all my friends and family, and I was consoled by the melody his soul was singing.
He was extremely humbled by my words and thanked me for the compliments. He told me that the piano room is available for anyone to practice, so I now know where I'll be going when I feel down.
Coming back home to my cold room I lit a candle that was given to me by a good friend before I left. I had been saving it for a time when I really needed its warmth to comfort me. The sweet scent of mulled wine fills my room and the warmth of its glow fills my heart with love, and again - I'm home. ^__^
So... the past few days have been a little cold, a little grey, and a little dreary, which has been slowly bringing me down off of my high and into a slight state of melancholy. I've just been feeling a little flat - like a tire that just needs a bit of air.
Usually, when I start to feel this way I pick up my guitar and play Bach's 'Air on a String'. The lightness of the melody fills my soul with a fresh breath of much needed air, and I carry on. Or I call my friends and someone will go out with me, and we'll sit and talk and at the end of the night they will put their arms around me and warm me with their love.
Being here, I have no guitar... and I don't really have a friend who could give me a long, warm hug. I write in my blog and post pictures on Facebook just to feel connected to you guys, but the physical sensation that live music brings with the resonance of the strings, or the warmth of the human touch is lacking from my laptop.
Today I went to the Mensa (cafeteria) to have lunch. I sat by myself and looked out the window as I enjoyed a warm meal (this is a rare treat for me as I still don't have my kitchen fully set up). On my way out I heard a faint voice of a piano resonating through the walls. I knew right away it was a real piano as I could feel the vibration in my body, however faint.
I stopped.
It was coming from above. I slowly walked up the stairs and felt the music getting louder. I knew I was on the right track and my heart fluttered with excitement. I haven't heard a real piano in months, and the melody that was coming through the walls sent shivers through my whole body. On the top floor, there were two doors, and one was labeled "Musikzimmer"... I knew I found my haven.
I gently cracked open there door, and a wave of music washed over me. A student sitting behind the piano stopped playing and looked at me with surprise. I apologized for interrupting and told him that I heard beautiful music coming from the room, and I just had to experience it. I asked him if it was okay for me to be there and to just stand quietly and listen. He seemed taken aback by my desire to listen to him practice, and was very bashful about his performance. I told him I love music and just want to be in the room with the vibration - just for a little bit. He said it was no problem and continued playing.
I recorded a small segment of his performance, which you are hearing right now.
As I looked out the window at the grey clouds, his melody brought me to tears, and I was overjoyed to have been at the right place at the right time.
On my way out I thanked him profusely for letting me stay for a bit and told him his music moved me beyond words. I told him that I had just come from Canada last week and have been feeling a bit down the past few days, but that his music lifted my soul and brought me right back home. He appreciated my compliments and said that the only music he knows from Canada is Celine Dion and Bryan Adams. I laughed and explained that his music didn't take me back home to Canada, but rather brought my soul to a place of peace and comfort. The warm vibrations of the strings wrapped around me like the arms of all my friends and family, and I was consoled by the melody his soul was singing.
He was extremely humbled by my words and thanked me for the compliments. He told me that the piano room is available for anyone to practice, so I now know where I'll be going when I feel down.
Coming back home to my cold room I lit a candle that was given to me by a good friend before I left. I had been saving it for a time when I really needed its warmth to comfort me. The sweet scent of mulled wine fills my room and the warmth of its glow fills my heart with love, and again - I'm home. ^__^
Monday, February 28, 2011
It's sinking in
I had the most amazing weekend!!
On Friday my friends came out to party with me, see me off, and wish me a safe and enriching trip - and so it will be. On Saturday I had the weekly jam with my band - and as always the music surrounded me with warmth and joy. On Sunday I had a wonderful family dinner - it made me remember how much my family has grown, and how amazing it is.
It was really great to see everyone, and I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for making this weekend a memorable one. It is quite a change of atmosphere being surrounded by friends and family for three days, just to come back to an empty apartment with an unpacked suitcase, and 42 hours 'till takeoff.
I will miss my music. The jams have been an integral part of my life for many weeks and I'm not sure how I will cope without them. I feel like my favourite vinyl had just been broken, and suddenly the silence in my apartment seems louder than anything we've played here.
I had a dream last night that I was in a foreign place, but my friends were there with me. We were about to leave and head back home when I got stopped by the police. Under the laws of this place, apparently I had done something very wrong, for which I was to be detained for six months. When I heard this, I freaked out and took off. I started running without knowing where to run or what to do - I just wanted to get away. I was in a crowded mall running for my life, pushing by people, trying to use whatever parkour I had learned from watching YouTube videos to evade and lose the cops. I figured if I could lose them in the mall and meet up with my crew, we could all go back home, but as I ran up another flight of stairs, the cops were waiting right at the top, not even fretting about catching me. One of them yelled out mockingly, "Keep running!..", as though there was no way I could ever lose them. I took a sharp turn, weaved by some people, and bolted down an escalator. As the escalator descended, I saw myself waiting at the bottom. The fact that there was a second me didn't surprise me at all, however, my behaviour at that moment did. As I cleared the escalator and continued running, the me that was waiting at the bottom ran towards me, and without saying a word tackled me. As we both fell to the ground I realized there was no way I could get away from the cops - I had me. As I lay on the ground I turned to myself and began to cry, "Why? You're my only friend...", I implored. But there was no response. I began to bawl, and as I opened my mouth to cry out, a sad chord change echoed through the now silent mall. I wish I knew music well enough to be able to transcribe it... alas, my cry will stay silent for now.
Let the dream be open for interpretation, but I know deep down inside I am anxious about going, and I'm the only one who can tackle my anxiety down and make myself commit to my stay in that foreign, far-away land. As John Steinbeck said, "We find, after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.", and this thought has been resounding in my mind for the past several weeks. I feel like there's so much to prepare, so many things to think of, lists to make, and like I'm constantly forgetting something... Yet at the same time I know I can't prepare for everything. I don't even know what I'm in for, how can I possibly predict and prepare some sort of a gameplan?
I've been taking it step-by-step, and letting the trip take me as it will. With 42 hours to go and an unpacked suitcase, all I really want to do is have a cup of tea and write a blog post to all my wonderful friends - thanking them for making this last weekend in this cold city, so very warm. I am so lucky to have all of you as friends, and if you're wondering if there's a slight chance this refers to you - it most certainly does.
On Friday my friends came out to party with me, see me off, and wish me a safe and enriching trip - and so it will be. On Saturday I had the weekly jam with my band - and as always the music surrounded me with warmth and joy. On Sunday I had a wonderful family dinner - it made me remember how much my family has grown, and how amazing it is.
It was really great to see everyone, and I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for making this weekend a memorable one. It is quite a change of atmosphere being surrounded by friends and family for three days, just to come back to an empty apartment with an unpacked suitcase, and 42 hours 'till takeoff.
I will miss my music. The jams have been an integral part of my life for many weeks and I'm not sure how I will cope without them. I feel like my favourite vinyl had just been broken, and suddenly the silence in my apartment seems louder than anything we've played here.
I had a dream last night that I was in a foreign place, but my friends were there with me. We were about to leave and head back home when I got stopped by the police. Under the laws of this place, apparently I had done something very wrong, for which I was to be detained for six months. When I heard this, I freaked out and took off. I started running without knowing where to run or what to do - I just wanted to get away. I was in a crowded mall running for my life, pushing by people, trying to use whatever parkour I had learned from watching YouTube videos to evade and lose the cops. I figured if I could lose them in the mall and meet up with my crew, we could all go back home, but as I ran up another flight of stairs, the cops were waiting right at the top, not even fretting about catching me. One of them yelled out mockingly, "Keep running!..", as though there was no way I could ever lose them. I took a sharp turn, weaved by some people, and bolted down an escalator. As the escalator descended, I saw myself waiting at the bottom. The fact that there was a second me didn't surprise me at all, however, my behaviour at that moment did. As I cleared the escalator and continued running, the me that was waiting at the bottom ran towards me, and without saying a word tackled me. As we both fell to the ground I realized there was no way I could get away from the cops - I had me. As I lay on the ground I turned to myself and began to cry, "Why? You're my only friend...", I implored. But there was no response. I began to bawl, and as I opened my mouth to cry out, a sad chord change echoed through the now silent mall. I wish I knew music well enough to be able to transcribe it... alas, my cry will stay silent for now.
Let the dream be open for interpretation, but I know deep down inside I am anxious about going, and I'm the only one who can tackle my anxiety down and make myself commit to my stay in that foreign, far-away land. As John Steinbeck said, "We find, after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.", and this thought has been resounding in my mind for the past several weeks. I feel like there's so much to prepare, so many things to think of, lists to make, and like I'm constantly forgetting something... Yet at the same time I know I can't prepare for everything. I don't even know what I'm in for, how can I possibly predict and prepare some sort of a gameplan?
I've been taking it step-by-step, and letting the trip take me as it will. With 42 hours to go and an unpacked suitcase, all I really want to do is have a cup of tea and write a blog post to all my wonderful friends - thanking them for making this last weekend in this cold city, so very warm. I am so lucky to have all of you as friends, and if you're wondering if there's a slight chance this refers to you - it most certainly does.
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