Oh by the way...

As of the 22nd of January, I got really old. 22. My "Golden Year" or something like that. Anyways... Thanks to everyone who made it so fun! :D Even Josh from Applebees... because he gave me a cake.

The Pretender

So I remember the first time I was exposed to Gershwin - it was Mr.Holland's Opus - perhaps one of my favorite movies of all time. And, it also made me want to be in a marching band. It's true. But, I think the soundtrack was also one of the first CDs that I had ever bought. I didn't know it then, but now I've come to appreciate all the songs - my particular favorite, besides Gershwin, is "The Pretender" by Jackson Browne.


I'm going to rent myself a house
In the shade of the freeway
I'm going to pack my lunch in the morning
And go to work each day
And when the evening rolls around
I'll go on home and lay my body down
And when the morning light comes streaming in
I'll get up and do it again
Amen
Say it again
Amen

I want to know what became of the changes
We waited for love to bring
Were they only the fitful dreams
Of some greater awakening
I've been aware of the time going by
They say in the end it's the wink of an eye
And when the morning light comes streaming in
You'll get up and do it again
Amen

Caught between the longing for love
And the struggle for the legal tender
Where the sirens sing and the church bells ring
And the junk man pounds his fender
Where the veterans dream of the fight
Fast asleep at the traffic light
And the children solemnly wait
For the ice cream vendor
Out into the cool of the evening
Strolls the Pretender
He knows that all his hopes and dreams
Begin and end there

Ah the laughter of the lovers
As they run through the night
Leaving nothing for the others
But to choose off and fight
And tear at the world with all their might
While the ships bearing their dreams
Sail out of sight

I'm going to find myself a girl
Who can show me what laughter means
And we'll fill in the missing colors
In each other's paint-by-number dreams
And then we'll put our dark glasses on
And we'll make love until our strength is gone
And when the morning light comes streaming in
We'll get up and do it again
Get it up again

I'm going to be a happy idiot
And struggle for the legal tender
Where the ads take aim and lay their claim
To the heart and the soul of the spender
And believe in whatever may lie
In those things that money can buy
Though true love could have been a contender
Are you there?
Say a prayer for the Pretender
Who started out so young and strong
Only to surrender
--
I thought I'd share that with you all. Because. I can.

Ah, memories.

So this is a new favourite picture that I found while rumaging through my picture card from my europe trip. It's a picture from Piazza della Rotonda. I miss it.

I just thought I'd point that out.

Just Do It.

New Years Resolutions (NYRs). I haven't made any. A lot of the RAs seem to have - a commendable effort. I, however, refuse to make NYRs. I am confident in my belief that it is a set up for failure for many. And plus, I am just plain lazy. If I were to make a NYR, it would have to be something life changing in a big way. A dramatic resolution for the new year. But then again, I believe that you do what you want to do, not because of some unofficial binding contract that you have made for yourself because of the social obligation of the new year.

Admittedly, there are many great NYRs made that seem to be great - like becoming a vegetarian. Whereas others go along the lines of cutting out junkfood in their diet. I see a difference between the a change in life and attempting a diet. But, to each his own and each resolution is subjectively important to those that make them. And, considering I don't make them, I suppose it's pretty illogical for me to be a critic of it.

If you want to do something, you do it. The End. I know I know, it's never that simple. But can't I wish it to be?