Me and Don Henley will tell it to you straight.

I love summertime. There isn't a season I wouldn't trade for a few more months of sun, and there's always that twinge of sadness that comes as I feel August slipping away. 

But I have to admit there's a feeling of anticipation that comes with the cool mornings this time of year. It's the same feeling that makes me want to buy new crayons and label things. Its school starting. Its newly sharpened pencils and backpacks and the silly desire to give your teacher an apple. And as someone who has been a part of this fall phenomenon all my life up to this point, this year is starting to feel strange.

I suppose its because I could never picture myself at this point in life. In fact when I met my husband and we talked about our career choices, I told him I wanted to go to medical school. It seemed like a perfectly suitable calling for me because I liked school. And I was good at it. But then when he asked me what kind of doctor I planned to be when I grew up -and I said that I in fact didn't want a full time career when I grew up- I realized the real reason medical school sounded so good to me. It was because I was used to school. I just couldn't picture my life without it. I couldn't picture myself as a professional doctor as much as I could a professional student. Unfortunately that isn't the most profitable of career paths, and luckily I married someone who loves me enough to help me find out what it really is I want in life.

And I’m lucky enough to say I think I found it. And while it will inevitably be harder than school, it will be even more rewarding. And though I won't be getting a report card regularly to tell me how great I'm doing, or a paycheck to tell me how much I’m worth, those don’t add up to real happiness anyway.

I’m not starting a new school year but I am feeling all the excitement of a fresh start. And, ironically, as summer dwindles and dies this year all I can think about is new life. And you know what? I’m still waiting on that end of summer sadness.

Plus who says you can only buy new clothes for school??

[Here’s to new adventures.]

-MD

My radio knows nothing about love.

My friends, we are gathered here today to mourn the death of R&B love songs. 

Okay maybe I'm just old but have you listened to the radio lately?

I recommend caution when doing so for the risk of crashing your car as you place your hands over your ears and yell "lalalalala!!" 

Seriously. 

When did music 

trade subtle, sensual, and sincere 

for stark, sexual and shallow?

When did we stop defining R&B by real emotion, good songwriting, and well-written [if provocative] lyrics?Lyrics like:  

           "I've got no defense for it

             the heat is too intense for it

             what good would 

             common sense do for it?

            ..when you awake a need in me, 

            my heart says yes indeed and we

            proceed with what you're 

            leading me to.."    -Frank Sinatra

               

Like Frankie himself, the era of real R&B love songs is dead- and our children will be left with only with it's pathetic counterfeit of lust. 

(We're all looking at you Miley)

A Little Marriage Trivia:

Q: What do you do when your husband asks you if you just spilled an entire bag of skittles all over his car?

A: Whisper "taste the rainbow". And don't laugh. Because he won't.

On a Rainy Monday

I'm a playlist person.
Maybe it stems from my love of lists in general, or maybe I just feel the need to be prepared for any emotional situation with an appropriate soundtrack.
Either way, when today I opened my door to a perfectly rainy day I smiled and said to myself, as I do probably too often, "I've got a playlist for that."

Now, admittedly, I love rain. And my complete rainy day playlist includes everything from acoustic covers to indie jams with the only vague requirement that it makes me feel.. well.. rainy.

But then there are those times when a gray sky and a quiet afternoon beg a certain sweetness that only comes with a sad song. And not just break up ballads and emo lyrics I'm talking truly, exquisitely, and perfectly sad songs. The kind that demand the listener do just that; listen. And feel. In a way only music seems to be able to do. This power in music has always fascinated me and I have decided today to share with you my very favorite sad songs. So Here it is:

The top five saddest songs on Myrinda's Ipod. 

5. Tomorrow is a Long Time- Nickel Creek

I am a sucker for bluegrass and this mandolin/violin cover of the Bob Dylan original is Bluegrass at its best. Its sadness is in a sweet melody paired with surprisingly melancholy lyrics that tell the story of long time loss, and the acceptance of pain.

Lyrics: "I can't see my reflection in the water. I can't speak, the sound's a shout of pain. I can't hear the echo of my footsteps, or remember the sound of my own name."

4. The Blowers Daughter- Damien Rice

A love song with strong undertones of despair. Drastic crescendos and a loosely regarded tempo bring an air  of desperation to this eerie ballad. The interjection of the woman to whom the lyrics are aimed in the final verse seems almost haunting- as if to bring to question the very sanity of the singer and his emotion.

Lyrics: "Did I say that I loathe you? Did I say that I want to leave it all behind? I cant take my mind off of you..."

3. God Bless the Child- Billie Holiday

No one will ever sing a sad song quite like the queen of the blues. Written by Billie and based on events from her own life, this song suggests that to live is to discover just how alone we really are.

Lyrics: "Mamma may have, Papa may have, but God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own."

2. In the Arms of a Woman- Amos Lee

Smooth vocals and minimal instrumentation create a sound that's smokey and sensual and miles deep. This song is just so perfectly sad. It will convince you that you're happiest when you're dreaming, and make you feel like you're not totally awake.

Lyrics: "Now most days I spend like a child who's afraid of ghosts in the night. I know there ain't nothing out there but i'm still afraid to turn on the light."

1. Spartan- Five Iron Frenzy

Maybe the best sad songs are the ones we can't quite explain what it is that makes us feel that way. This is the saddest song I own and It's about new beginnings and hope and God and peace. [confusing I know] But I think the reason I find it so sad is that it catches that moment before things change for the better. It describes a surrender- a realization that what your life has consisted of up to this point is suddenly obsolete. I love it's honesty and raw edges and a message of hope despite it's heaviness make it the best rainy day song I've got.

Lyrics: "Limping through the world there's a knowing look or two. Is it just the cripples here who understand the truth?... Paving pathways for the lost, the bitter and recluse."

So there you have it. May you enjoy the rainiest days and the saddest songs.
As for me, I think the sun may be coming out now.

:)

Myrinda

Spring Fever.

Today I am stuck home sick on possibly the most beautiful day of the year so far.

I can't help but think winter is feeling a little bitter at it's being forced to retreat and decided to inflict one last terrible flu on humanity.
I picture it like a fairy tale when they banish the terrible witch from the kingdom and she invokes her final terrible curse: "banish me you may, but your children's children will be destined to get a seriously bad cold..."

So despite my attempt at overdosing on vitamin C, here I am pouting as I watch the sun set from my bed.

This beautiful weather combined with the fact that we have yet to install television or Internet in our new house has made for possibly the longest day of my life. If I was ever in greater need of a puppy, I don't remember.
Which isn't surprising because today i didn't even remember to put on pants..

Here's to end of the most boring day [and probably the most boring blog post] in history.

WARNING: Valentine's Day Post

 val·en·tine:   noun \ˈva-lən-ˌtīn\

  1. A holiday celebrated on February 14th on which it is customary to    purchase ludicrous amounts of  chocolate as a gift for one's lover;

 2. A holiday celebrated on February 14th on which it is customary to purchase ludicrous amounts of  chocolate as a gift for one's self, in the absence of a lover.

So call me a love hater, but I'm just not into Valentines Day. An entire month dedicated to the color Pink?.. Sorry February, call me when you have fireworks.

But I have to admit, this particular February has been unusually good to us. Something about purchasing my very first house with my sweetheart this week  has caused me to step back and realize how truly great I have it. One more step in building a life with a person I love more that I can describe. And one more reason to add to the list of why I am so very happily married. 

So if you're opposed to Valentines-y nonsense, now is the time too look away. Because I want to share with you a few of the other, [not so huge as a house]  items on that list that remind me what love is all about. 

1. Love is when he orders a Dr Pepper because he knows you'll want it, even though you ordered a water. 

2. Love is when he tries to roll you over without waking you up when you stole ALL the covers. 

3. Love is that note on the fridge saying he'll be right back, because he knows waking up alone is scary. 

4. Love is when he tells you how beautiful you look when you're running late for work and didn't do your hair.

5. Love is letting you be totally ridiculous.

6. Love is when his day was worse than yours, but you would never know it. 

7. Love is when he changes his background image from fishing, to an old photo of you two.

8. Love is pretending to like it better burnt.

9. Love is watching that show with you every week. 

10. Love is when you're holding somebody's new baby, and he smiles at you like that.

11. Love is working full time, and going to school full time, because your dreams are worth it. 

12. Love is that silly heart shaped symbol in a text message. 

13. Love is never questioning your irrational fear of ants.

14. Love is holding your hand the whole way there.

15. And love is hearing that he missed you every time you get home. 

So there it is world. As much as it pains me to join the Sappy Valentines Day Post club, I have a whole lot of love in my life. And that is worth celebrating. 

Until next time,

My Valentine is waiting.

-MD

I have no need for vision, I can sing in color. -Kalai

To say I have a new favorite song seems to misrepresent it.

My world lately
has been reduced to a cold state of black and white.

It's when things get like this
that we ache for something warm and familiar
to melt all that ice.

That thing, for me,
is infallibly
music.

So if you're curious,

"Would you come and fight in my corner?

 I've spent too long alone tonight..

 ..Come find me now

 We'll hide out and we'll speak in our secret tongues."

Or:
This winter won't last forever.



-MD