Day #127 - #128 - Lee + Maria Embark On Some Instagram Adventures

So, on one day, Maria and I decided to head to Botanic Gardens! These are the pictures I took of our trip on her iPod :D

Two days later, we went out drinking for Nathan from Maria's course's birthday! And I took some awesome swalling pictures of her before we left :D

For more awesome pictures, just see Maria's tumbler at http://mariamallon.tumblr.com

It's brilliant :)

Day #126 - One Kid Good, Two Kids Better

You still haven't read 'Freedom' by Jonathan Franzen? Well then this might just pass by you in meaning, but that's alright.

--

You're not convincing anyone
But you have the right
Right right idea
Even if the wing must fold,
Spead higher it could save us all
But you're not convincing anyone

After those monsters
Turn to masters
Congratulations are in order
Right after apologies

One kid good, two kids better
One kid good, two kids better
One kid good, two kids--- better---

You're not convincing anyone
And the odds are out of favours
Even if this all comes to pass
You'll stand out as the one
Who broke their own mould

After those creatures
Turn to creators
Congratulations are in order
Right after apologies

One kid good, two kids better
One kid good, two kids better
One kid good, two kids--- better---

Ooo-oo--
ooo-oo
Ooaaoo-

One kid good, two kids better
One kid good, two kids better
One kid good, two kids--- better---

You're not convincing anyone
But you may convince us yet

One kid good, two kids better
One kid good, two kids better
One kid good, two kids--- better---

One kid good, two kids better
One kid good, two kids better
One kid good, two kids--- better---

Day #125 - Absolution

Eh, could be better. Could reuse that chorus though, weak verses I think.

--

I was sick before and now I'm healed
I guess that means
Biology has finally caved in
And offered up its hands

I was sick and now I'm healed
I guess that means
Someone cares for me, and fixed me
Though they haven't fixed much else

And I'm still hearing your old name
And I'm still hearing your old words
But you don't seem to hear me telling you
I do not want you
I am not listening
I've listened long enough

I don't need your bread and I don't need your absolution
I just need my mind, some morals and some information [x2]

I was asleep before and now I wake
I guess that means
My dreams are real
So banish them while I walk

And I'm still hearing your old name
And I'm still hearing your old words
But you don't seem to hear me telling you
I do not want you
I am not listening
I've listened long enough

I don't need your bread and I don't need your absolution
I just need my mind, some morals and some information [x2]

I was alive before I died
I guess that means
I should be thankful
Well thanks a lot, it's sure been fun
Well thanks a lot, it's sure been fun

I don't need your bread and I don't need your absolution
I just need my mind, some morals and some information [x2]

I don't need your bread and I don't need your absolution
I just need my mind, some morals and some information [x2]

I'm still hearing your old name
I do not want you, I am not listening.

Day #124 - A Product Of The Times

What do you mean this song was easy to write?

To hell with you!

---

A product of the time
We're a product of the times
A product of the times
We're a product of the times
A product of the time
We're a product of the times
A product of the times----------

Beat around the bush
Don't beat around the bush
We've done enough to the lawn
To last a century

A product of the time
We're a product of the times
A product of the times
We're a product of the times
A product of the time
We're a product of the times
A product of the times---

Don't beat around the bush
What happened to the freedom
We have so much too much so much
Too much to even imagine

A product of the time
We're a product of the times
A product of the times
We're a product of the times
A product of the time
We're a product of the times
A product of the times
We're a product of the times

Day #123 - "Lee's Pathetic Attempt At Getting Maria Into (At Least Some Of) His Music feat. Katy Perry" Spotify Playlist

Hey there, reluctant blog viewer!

You used your free Spotify account yet?

Ever wished you liked the same music as me, but that damn lack of Katy Perry keeps getting in your way?

WELL NOW YOU NEED NOT FRET!

I have created a Spotify playlist that will slowly influence you to some of the sounds I adore, while also treating you to the far more accessible sounds of Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Gotye, B.O.B. ... err... Barenaked Ladies...?

It'll be sweet! Just read some of our reviews!

"Thank fuck you put Katy in there!" ~ Maria

"The loud guitar parts hurt my head, so it's good there are some songs I like." ~ Maria

"What the hell is this song!? Seriously, turn it over." ~ Maria.

Another satisfied customer ;D

Click the link and "Subscribe" on Spotify so I feel better about myself!

Lee's Pathetic Attempt At Getting Maria Into (At Least Some Of) His Music (Feat. Katy Perry)

Day #122 - Band Practice

Of course, I'm still going with the other band where I'm the frontman, and we had a loose practice on Wednesday :D

Spent most of it trying covers out, but was a fun session anyway!

Day #120 - #121 - Learned Scott Pilgrim Basslines

I spent two days learning most basslines to the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World soundtrack.

You can't get much more awesome.

Day #106 - #119 - La Smooch Practices + Writing Sessions

So, on a whim, I decided to help Shane (my brother) get a step closer to having a full band by agreeing to play bass for him. Which at first was just for fun, but now I sort of see spanning out as a realistic endeavour for the future.

As such, I've spent A LOT of time practicing with him or re-writing some of the bass lines in my own time. A rough 13 days at least, though it could be more or less frankly. It's been class though. So far, 5 songs are more or less down. "Rock Bottom", "Granola Bar", "Here Comes The Son", "Paul Anka" and an untitled fifth song.

Shane writes most of the music himself, being guitarist and vocalist, and even has harmonies prepared for the most part. It's great to take a sort of backseat and get used to an instrument I'm not all too familiar with playing. 

But yes, 13 days of awesome music. I could upload some rough takes, but I think I'll leave them, it's not really my place.

Day #105 - Who Needs Sleep? (Acoustic Demo)

That's right, ANOTHER DEMO is online.

Featuring an acoustic song you might like!

So go check it out!

http://soundcloud.com/lee-brady/who-needs-sleep-acoustic-demo

Day #104 - Your Stupid Rocks

You want a rock song?

How about a song with the word 'Rock' in the title?

How about a song that, as subject matter, involves at least the theme of rocks?

Points for who can guess what this one is about, or even anything close. I would love to hear some wishy-washy spiritual connections people have with this one!

---

Broadcast to the world
That foundations of
No generations
Are simply the most avid fantasy

To those who want to move on
We stand begging, pleading
Please, please

Just let it go
No one wants to know and

No one cares about your stupid rocks
No one cares about your stupid rocks

The industry sits at tables
Pouring coffee into fables
That no one could find
interesting in the rain

And those who want to move on
Are ignored, singing songs
About the future

Just let it go
No one's going to go and

No one cares about your stupid rocks
No one cares about your stupid rocks

No one cares about your
No one cares about your
Your stupid rocks
Your stupid rocks
Your stupid rocks
Your stupid
No one cares about your
No one cares about your
Your stupid rocks
Your stupid rocks
Your stupid rocks
Your stupid rocks
Your stupid rocks ^
Your stupid rocks V
Your stupid rocks--

Raincoats to the north
We found the dirt to which
We owe almost nothing
And to that we shield our eyes

To those who want to move on
We stand jaded, underrated
In the spray

Just let it go
No one wants to know and

No one cares about your stupid rocks

Day #103 - My Poor Mind

I know, I know. "Lee, Foo Fighter's already wrote a song very similar to this... geez... called 'My Poor Brain'? Pretty important to the flow of The Colour and the Shape, you know?"

Yeah, yeah, I know, but it couldn't be avoided. I wrote the lyrics, it had 'My Poor Mind' in it and I couldn't get around it, nothing suited better as a title. "Every Ghost" was close, but I have a thing against song names with ghost in them. Also songs with the word ghost in them, but I make some exceptions on my part. So... yeah. HERE IT IS!

---

Every ghost
That haunts these floors
Knows my name
But when I call
They won't change

Every ghost
That haunts this mind
Calls my name
But when I look
They won't stay

And it'll only be a matter of time before they swallow me whole
And take my poor mind
Only be a matter of time before they come for me and take
My poor mind
Only be a matter of days now---

Every door
In every room
Creaks my past
Creaks my wrongs

But every ghost
That passes through
Never judge
Never blink


And it'll only be a matter of time before they swallow me whole
And take my poor mind
Only be a matter of time before they come for me and take
My poor mind
Only be a matter of days now---

I can't stay here--
I can't stay here--
I won't stay
Stay
Stay
Stay
I won't stay--- here-

And it'll only be a matter of time before they swallow me whole
And take my poor mind
Only be a matter of time before they come for me and take
My poor mind
Only be a matter of days now---

And it'll only be a matter of time before they swallow me whole
And take my poor mind
Only be a matter of time before they come for me and take
My poor mind
Only be a matter of days now---

Day #102 - Count To Ten

How about MORE lyrics?

Well, since you asked...

--

I'm still
As stone
I lie

You're thrilled
I know
I'm not blind

You're still
Entwined
Don't know
That I

I'm still
As stone
By frame
I lie

--

You're
Flushed red
I'm home

They're
Still here
I know

I
Count to ten
And leave

You're
Flushed red
And Relieved

--

I
Can't take
Anymore

What once
I could
I can't
Ignore--

I
Could one
Convince

Now
I'm left
Dismissed

Day #101 - Same Emotion

More lyrics? You bet.

---

You've got yours
I've got mine
Let's just leave it all at that

Your old hopes
My new guise
Shouldn't impact us so fast

I'm as guilty as can be
Can be as guilty as me
We're as guilty as can be
Can be as guilty as we

You cry out
I hold in
The emotion is still the same

You kneel down
I step back
Both jerks, just seperate means

I'm as guilty as can be
Can be as guilty as me
We're as guilty as can be
Can be as guilty as we

Where did we go wrong,
Or maybe when, or maybe why?
Or maybe we've gone right
It eludes us all along. [x2]

Day #100 - Faith In Faith

100 Days of Creativity! (Sort of)

Any particular celebration? ...nah. Wasn't really counting at the time, so here's the lyrics I came with on roughly THIS DAY.

Titled 'Faith In Faith'.

--

There goes your future

You let one man decide

And one man decided stay

How can you possibly sleep at night now knowing that there's nothing up ahead

How could you possibly sleep at night knowing that things will never change---

There goes your lifespan

Didn't think that crutch would catch

Send you flailing while wondering

How can you possibly sleep at night now knowing that there's nothing up ahead

How could you possibly sleep at night knowing that things will never change---

Time stands still indefinitely

The world halts as fire lights the sky

You put your faith in faith and not in heads

Watch as it comes down

Watch as we comes-- down---

--

--

There goes their future

One man decided that

No one could ever live again.

-

How can you possibly sleep at night now knowing that there's nothing up ahead

How could you possibly sleep at night knowing that things will never change--- [x2]

Day #99 - Everyone's at War

Had a good tune for this one! Then tried writing a guitar to it and fucked it up a bit, so now hoping Andy'll step in and get me a stronger background to it. Here's the lyrics though!

--

Everytime I fall down
I learn a little more
Everyone's a bore
Everyone's at war (x2)

[ALL IN]

This glass-ridged box
This glass-house with no door
Is all that separates me from the hands that tear the clothes off
But silent are the stares
That wander through from every side
From every wall I own

And all in all I can't escape this
All in all I can't escape this
All in all I can't escape this
After all I can't escape---

Everytime I fall down
I learn a little more
Everyone's a bore
Everyone's at war [x2]

--

This cobble-stone path
These stones of pink and grey
Are reshaping my feet with their unyielding stature
But resilient are the few
Raised on solid ground to which the cobbles
They can call their own

And all in all I can't escape this
All in all I can't escape this
All in all I can't escape this
Now that I know why---

Everytime I fall down
I learn a little more
Everyone's a bore
Everyone's at war [x2]

('War' of second repeat, hold war, lower tone)

War----------

--
-Here comes a tone change. Try and script the solo to at first adapt to the new tone
with everyone building it up before working it back into the same or a similar tune
to the chorus, basically a build-up that leads from a tone change that is lower,
back into the main chorus.
--

Everytime I fall down
I learn a little more
Everyone's a bore
Everyone's at war [x4]

Day #98 - "Practice" with Kegan

Went to Kegan's one night as a sort of two-man practice for the band. Didn't exactly get any progress done, but did settle some music ideas.

Which for now I'm counting as a creative step.

:D

Day #97 - Rewrote 'Collapse' as 'Dissolve'

 Whether I prefer the title now isn't the point, I just re-wrote the song to fit the new structure, and in doing so realised that the song cut out the word Collapse entirely. So, moved some things around and titled it 'Dissolve'. Could still change it, we'll see ;D Makes more sense to the meaning of the song anyway.

--

I feel this need again

In my skin

In my bones

[Distortion]

Don't judge what you can't own

I'm alone

I'm alone

[Riff x2]

Still suspect the floorboard's call

Or the phone

Or the phone

[Distortion]

Teeth lined up and needs erode

On I go

On I go

[Riff x2]

[Chorus]

I know you won't believe

What shutters blinded never see

And before you reach the door

I'm gone, I'm--

[Riff x4]

[Verse Chords minus Vocals 1x Time]

Still suspect the floorboards call

Or the phone

Or the phone

[Distortion]

Teeth lined up and needs erode

On I go

Here I go

[Riff x2]

[Chorus]

I know you won't believe

What shutters blinded never see

And before you reach the door

I dissolve--

[BREAK]

[4th Set of Chords for abandoned Chorus til finish, with solo and build-up. Some

Palm-muting, etc.)

Day #96 - Untitled Takes

I wrote about 2 Untitled Takes in one day, which I recorded from my electric guitar.

I haven't exactly figured out what to do with them yet, nor do I feel like sharing them just yet either. SO, you'll just have to take my word for it and hope I come up with a way to use them!

:D

Day #95 - 'Sun Tan' Recorded

Wrote a guitar piece I'm titling 'Sun Tan'.

Recorded it on the same day, but haven't got around to putting in vocals, so there it shall remain in the endless abyss of Shane's laptop until I find the time.

Day #92 - #94 - Safe Ukulele Written, Lyrics Written, Ukulele Recorded

Of course, none of these events took place in this order. I wrote a pretty-ish Ukulele piece one day, wrote the lyrics the next and then about a week later got around to recording a few takes of it.

And while I do have those recordings, they're mostly... eh. Even for the cheesy meaningless song that 'Safe' is, the Ukulele sounds terrible in the recordings. So I'm not going to make anyone suffer those until I get a better take. Recently I've worked out how to make the instrument recordings more 'clean', so this might help, but we shall see!

Until then, here are those lyrics :)

--

I'm safe-
When the sun is shining
Though eyes are blinded
I still see

I'm safe-
When pale moon is rising
Lunar glow will guide me
Keep me free

-

And I thank you
After all, all you do
It's enough to Keep me safe

-

I'm safe-
When the sun is shining
Though the world's on fire
I lay, cool

I'm safe-
When the clouds surround me
Lightning strikes will guide me
Make the path

-

And I thank you
After all, all you do
It's enough to Keep me safe

Day #91 - Jesus Dancing on Things

In my many, many years as a nerd, I have built quite a repertoire of useless abilities. One of them was semi-mastery of the principles of Animation through Flash. Not that anything I ever made with it was good, that would require TOO much effort and a PC that could handle effort, but I DID teach myself the basics of animation from it.

So Maria has been forced by her course to make a Flash animation, and to help her out I explained to her most of the basics in a sort of video demo. Which resulted in "Jesus Dancing on Things", a modern masterpiece in art depicting both contemporary views of Jesus' dancing prowess and space-travelling abilities.

Enjoy!

--

JESUS DANCING ON THINGS : CLICK HERE!!

Day #90 - From Here To Wherever

Yet another song idea.

----

I'll keep praying for you
Though I've forgotten how to pray
It was your footnote
Where I learned I could not stay
By the side of a God
Who could take you away
By the side of a God
Who could say the words they say
I'll keep praying for you
Though I've forgotten how to pray
I'll pray


I'll keep thanking you
After every single plus
That I know I could not have
If you had stayed with us
And it tears me up
When I think of how it could have been
Why can't I wish
Without unwishing?
I'll keep thanking you
After everything
You've done

And I wish and I wish and I wish that we spent more time
If only if only if only I had known what it'd all mean
So long you had been right next to me and I couldn't say---

I have no more right
In fact I have less
But in that light
I do not claim more than I am
We were barely friends
But that's not what concerned me
You kept them OK
And that's all I'd ever need
I have no more right
But I'll be glad for what you did
For me


And I wish and I wish and I wish that we spent more time
If only if only if only I had known what it'd all mean
So long you had been right next to me and I couldn't say---

And I wish and I wish and I wish that we spent more time
If only if only if only I had known what it'd all mean
So long you had been right next to me and I couldn't say---

--


And I wish and I wish and I wish that we spent more time
If only if only if only I had known what it'd all mean
So long you had been right next to me and I couldn't say---

And I know and I know and I know that you'll always be
Watching and waiting and caring and keeping them free
I can't ever go back but I know even then I couldn't say what I wanted to say
So from here to wherever you are
Thank you

Day #89 - Stones By The Path

Another song I worked on.

---

At nineteen I threw it all away
Ignored the numbers that made the day to day
The nameless faces that structured live and die
The faceless names, the universal sigh

Not once thought of daggerbulletline
Sheltered in fiction, rejection as sublime
Hold by my lover and cradle children three
Live by the ocean, live by the

Sound of my waves crashing down
Whisk me away
Wave crash down
Whisk me away
Oh waves crash down
Come on whisk me away from this shore
I feel sand under foot
Fade and revolt
As the stones by the path
With moss they grow old
Wave crash down
Whish me away from this shore
From this shore

At twenty-six, ever outwards I looked
Content with mine but with others I shook
If I succeed will I still keep my faith
The sacred book of the ignore and

Save who I love
Whisk them away
Who I love
Whisk them away
Those I love, please
Whisk me away from this shore
I feel sand under foot
Fade and revolt
As the salt by the rocks
Fades and dissolves
Wave crash down
Whisk me away from this shore
From this shore
Whisk us away
Whisk us away from this shore
Whisk us away from this shore

I know I want more but what more can I want
Before the people with no names take over my front
Crash down the beach house and steal all that's mine
Oh wave crash down, please save us for now
Wave crash down, and save us for now
Wave slope down, whisk us away
Whisk us away

Day #88 - Get Used To It

It may look like this song is unfinished, but really I was just finished writing for it. Without a structure to continue with, it's best just to leave the lyrical ideas at a comfortable spot and then force them together and apart when you have an actual tune to work with. So here's "Get Used To It".

---

You've caught the train
So late
You're in for it this time
The eyes
of straight right
Are idling this time
And who
Were you
When the world came a knocking?
Cause you remind me of someone that I seen before
Yeah remind me of someone that I seen before
And I can't place my finger but I'm sure you'll agree
You remind me of someone not like me

You're here now
So get used to it [x4]

You've caught your breath
So late
You've punctured your insides
The eyes
Of straight right
Are glowering red light
And where
Were you
When the world came a knocking?
Cause you look like you've seen what I've seen before
Yeah look like you've seen what I've seen before
And I can't quite tell but I'm sure you'll agree
It's not a place where you'd fine me

You're here now
So get used to it [x4]

Day #87 - Ready

A song idea I worked on. Not really sure yet if I'm willing to move on with it to the actual songwriting part, but we'll see!

---

Entertained the idea from childhood
Possibility of moving onwards and up-wards
But as I lie alone, my thoughts
Begin to condone my child-like mind.

What did I see in leaving this place?
What did I see in moving away?
What did I expect to get when I push away the ones who love me
And carry on working to my grave?

I'm not ready yet
I'm not ready yet
While once I thought I could be alright
Now I challenge myself in low light
Setting goals without asking what do they mean?
While once I thought I could be alright
Now I'm thinking maybe I've lost sight
Setting goals without asking what do they mean?

Take a look at the landscape that arose from my choice
It doesn't compare at all
There could've been people by the window
Now there's no one here at all

I'm not ready yet
I'm not ready yet
While once I thought I could be alright
Now I challenge myself in low light
Setting goals without asking what do they mean?
While once I thought I could be alright
Now I'm thinking maybe I've lost sight
Setting goals without asking what do they mean?

Day #86 - Stay

A rant-poem. Prepare for length.

--

Just a messed up kid
I'll always remain
Childhood was great
Can't relive it again
I wish but wishing's a lie
And God never was
The closest may die
But I can't keep up
Every year feels its part
And I'm always afraid
Could I bring children here
Just to feel this again?
Insensitive one second
Hyper the next
Feel pain in my shoulder
Then I'll never relax
Write endless notations
But what do they mean?
Do I aim it for you
Or do I aim it for me?
At least as a child
I could ignore the news
Live life in my box
Happy, friendly, uncool
But proud to be me and
Still usually am
In love and in luck
With ones I can stand
Mental preconceptions
The problem must be
The fear of delusions
Illusions of fame
And illusions of graduer
Though focus is gone
Acceptable standards
A shame for us all
Look up to the old
Look down to the young
The pattern repeats and
as feared, I am one
Yet still clear of mind
Of what's right and what's grey
If blessed of ignorance
I'd lose everything
And I would never give up
I just wish I could stay.

Day #82 - #85 - Don't Die (and Subsequent Work)

SO.

I came up with a relatively easy game idea, playing off the old adventure games from decades ago. My plan is to have a series of interlinking pictures with mild animations between rather than a flowing game. The point is to make decisions and see how far you can get in the game without dying. Pretty simple. But I'm thinking of perhaps implementing rewards for uncovering certain, interesting types of deaths as well. I'd like the game to have around 300 different ways to die, and ultimately only one main decision that wins the game. Should be funny, if done write, if not for strange scenarios then for the randomness of some of the deaths. Nothing is ever as it seems :D

So I spent about 4 days working on this game idea, with linear notes, attempts at branching tree diagrams and expanding those diagrams throughout the days.

I'll let yous know when I get more work done on it. I do have stuff here I could show, but it's a bit unrefined, so I'll save it all for a rainier day (it's quite sunny today).

Day #81 - Beautiful Child

Yet another pretentious poem-song. March was a very pretentious month. But then, you are reading an English students 365 blog! What did you REALLY expect?

---

Waited time
The bands come down
To lie between the chair
And television

Turned to the most beautiful child in the universe
And ignored him

Palms thrusted
The blur of time
Summounts in the final track
Ten out of ten

Turned to the most beautiful child in the universe
And ignored him

Something's turned out to be more beautiful [x4]

Tv off and sleep.

Day #80 - A Difference in the Times

Another short poem I wrote one day. As usual, I barely remember writing it. And as usual, it comes off as pretentious as hell, but ah well. When you write, you write.

--

What if I made the wrong move tomorrow?
Bag over the head, outside, inside, outside...
Probable plane or left-winged lane to
The exact place few exactly know.

They, with Their capital T and ironed clothing,
Remove the bag and, seated uncomfortably,
Drain all my thoughts from my slots
And cackle vaudevillian finesse.

I plead, but where one man falls two men do not.
Wife, children, family, friends.
My card will say 'no show' and
Into nothing I go.

Shows the difference of the times.
Various Williams feared little, as there was too much to fear.
I fear all with my reasonable amounts.
Particularly in unexistence. There lies a
True end.

Day #79 - On Return to Donegal

Here's a short poem-song I wrote for Maria while in Donegal.

--

With grey of sky and hills of red,
A scenic mess conjured instead,
That no one dares hold thankful too
Unless.
Those grey-ish clouds on grey-ish sky
Gave us a reason to stay inside,
Stare out the window and imagine what we
See.
So there I typed with blackened ink,
And you indulged the ground with pink,
And with occasional silence, but comfort, I could
Smile.
There was no need for conversation
At exstatic paces of young exhaustion,
We would chime in our own thoughts and be at
Peace.
And now returned with darkened sea,
Alone, but only physically;
I use my aging memory and
long.
Not to stay, while memory's strong
But one day far, with years undone
To stay with you, where first I knew it,
love.

Day #77 - #78 - Band Practices

In March we had at LEAST two Band Practices.

Which were pretty sweet. We worked on songs, we fucked around with covers, they're a good time!

So here's the marker saying I spent... two days of the month in the creative veil that is BAND PRACTISING.

Day #75 - #76 - Collapse + Work on Collapse

SO I spent two days with a song.

One day writing it and the lyrics, sorting out the chords and structure.
Another day refining it somewhat.

I'd later end up showing it to 2/3 of the band (because Kegan had to skip practice) and they helped structure it further. Was fun to play, loved the work they put into it. But I count that day as a Band Practice, which will be my next post.

This one's just about the two days I spent beforehand working on it.

AND HERE ARE THE LYRICS!

(Note: I repeatedly label 'Bridge' where there should be a Riff. Also, structure has changed somewhat, so not exactly what it is there.)

---

I feel this need again
In my skin
In my bones

Don't judge what you can't own
I'm alone
I'm alone

[Bridge]

Still suspect the floorboard's call
Or the phone
Or the phone

Teeth lined up and needs erode
On I go
On I go

[Bridge]
[Chorus]
I know you won't believe
What shutters blinded never see
And before you reach the door
I'm gone, I'm--

[Bridge]

Still suspect the floorboards call
Or the phone
Or the phone

Teeth lined up and needs erode
On I go
Here I go

[Bridge]
[Chorus]
I know you won't believe
What shutters blinded never see
And before you reach the door
I'm gone, I-

Clutch my chest and then collapse
Clutch my chest and then collapse
Clutch my chest and then collapse
Clutch my chest and then I-

[Bridge]
[Bridge]
[Chorus]
I know you won't believe
What windows closed could never breathe
And before you reach the door
I'm gone, I-

Clutch my chest and the collapse
Clutch my chest and the collapse
Clutch my chest and the collapse
Clutch my chest and the collapse
[Repeat 'till fade, building up and harmonising]

Day #74 - Fuck Everything About Fermville

Driven mad by the INSANE Farmville posts I get on my wall every day due to my mother's addiction to it, I made a quick Photoshop piece that I later deemed 'Meh'.

But here it is in all its meh!

Day #73 - Worked on Covers to Songs

In case you haven't gathered, these aren't exactly in order. Just a list of things I did between certain dates. So this update is of 28 creative things I did between today (really March 31st) and the last update (March 3rd).

I made a list of everything I had done, to update when I got a chance. So during those 28 days, I spent at least one of them practising guitar for the band, trying to learn covers.
I attempted to learn Dammit, Knocked Up, Great Expectations, along with a couple of others.

Was fun, but not exciting for a post!

Day #68 - #72 - DISNEYLAND

From the Tuesday 6th to Friday 9th March, Maria and I visited DISNEYLAND RESORT PARIS.

Was a good holiday, was great to go back to Disneyland, but I can't lie and say we weren't disappointed by a few things. Overall though, it was a great holiday! And I spent the four days taking plenty of pictures, but rather than put them up, I'll put up three of my favourite pictures that I took (so they'll be of Maria), and one of both of us, so that evens it out :)

Here they are!

Brilliant ;D

Day #66 - #67 - Work on The Third Person

Another grouping! Yes, in the space of time I used two days to work on The Third Person.

Both were going over the same stuff I'd written and updating it with little things like 'grammar' and 'punctuation'.

Just little things, probably not important in a novel anyway.

:D

Day #63-#65 - Essay Work and Essays

I'm not gonna bore you with individual posts about I had essays, but in the space of time between my last update, I've done two essays and had to spend one day preparing one of them.

Terrible work ethic?

You bet! :D

Day #62 - Learned "I Heard Ramona Sing" - Frank Black cover

...basically speaks for itself. Song was in my head all day, so I learned it on guitar and got it down, practicing it with vocals at the same time.

Sounds alright, probably not well enough to consider putting online with a recording, but enough to pass!

Day #61 - Finalised Structure to "Who Needs Sleep?"

Remember that song "Who Needs Sleep?" I posted up a month or two ago? No?
That's alright. Well, I FINALLY settled on a structure and am now quite happy with it.

Slow, ballad-y sort of song but I'm quite fond of it. And am glad I finally got it all worked out properly!

Day #60 - Band Practice

I think we're still tentatively called 'Animal Roll', but on this day I practised with the band mentioned in the previous post.

Was a sweet start, first proper practice between the four of us, and we started getting into the way of song-writing and improvising and it generally a good time.

I was singing/rhythm-guitaring, in case you were wondering.

Technically wrote a song this day too, tentatively called "Raticate". BASIC AS FUCK but was a good tester for a few things.

Overall, enjoyed.

Day #59 - Pre-Practice

Day before the first band practice since the year began with Andy, Kegan and Dan.

Had to relearn some old covers for a warm-up, so on this day I practised Everlong, Smells Like Teen Spirit and Basket Case.

...Everlong turned out well!

Day #58 - Maria's Door

Went with Maria on a photo hunt for her project, and while I didn't take any pictures myself, I DID spot this lovely door for her portfolio.

Of course, she took a lovely picture of it, but that was my creative contribution for the day ;D

Pretty sweet, huh?

Day #57 - Worked on a Guitar Song

Worked on a guitar song this day.

Structure down, just needs lyrics and some fine tuning, but otherwise, I'm liking it.

I do apologise for all the "Music ones you can't actually see" updates!

Day #56 - Minecraft Return

What do you mean 'Playing Minecraft isn't creative!"? SURE IT IS.
I BUILD SHIT IN IT.

And this day, I started work on a bridge. But you can see the whole thing from a 2D aerial shot here:

Ah, Utopia. How I love ye.

I'll get you some better shots in the future! ;D

In the meantime, you can see the whole map (owned by Eoghan Murray) of the work Eoghan, Andy, Andy, Myself and many others have put into this one big map, here; http://www.eoghanmurray.co.uk/lci

Enjoy ;D

Day #55 - Worked on The Third Person

On this day, I did some further structure work and re-editing to The Third Person (my novel, in case you've forgotten).

Nothing too big or exciting enough to show off, just something to make a use for the day!

Day #54 - The Rose

Here's some lyrics I wrote on this day. Not great, just something I did at random, and this is how it turned out!

----

The Rose
Folds
The pedals closed
Wilting in your hand

The Snow
Cold
So rarely bold
Reminds you of your plans

They fold hands each
Into each other
And with free hand Push
You down
And as you crash
Into the snow
You smile at the love
They found

Free the rose
From under hold
And watch the flower grow
Honour the rose
And as it grows
Watch the flower fold

They fold hands each
Into each other
And with a kiss
You fall
But cries mean none
When both you love
With simple kiss
Are one

Free the rose
From under hold
And watch the flower grow
Honour the rose
And as it grows
Watch the flower fold

The Rose
Folds
The pedals closed
Wilting in your hand

The Snow
Cold
So rarely bold
Reminds you of your plans

Free the rose
From under hold
And watch the flower grow
Honour the rose
And as it grows
Watch the flower fold

Day #52 and #53 - Essay Work

On these days, I had to complete an essay, so didn't have much time for creativity.

Unless you count the amount of fictitious content that went into that essay, of course.

I suppose in a way it was creative!

Day #51 - Cup Wars

I was stuck in work this day.

So, naturally, I started taking pictures of shooting workmates with a cup for a hand.

Here is one such image:

It then carried on as Mick (from work) decided to take a few of his own in honour of it all.

^ Shane in preparation on shooting Mick

Mick shooting... himself.

There were plenty more, but unfortunately I can't get them from my phone. But simplicity in itself!

Day #50 - Band of Skulls - Sweet Sour (Album Review)

You know what band I recently heard of?

Band of Skulls.

You know what album I quite enjoyed?

Sweet Sour by Band of Skulls

You know what I willingly wrote a review about?

Terrible things but also Band of Skulls' new album.

--

Timing could not be more perfect for a shift in pop music. With Gotye having topped the charts with the unusually honest and well written “Somebody That I Used To Know”, slowly but surely the signs are showing that pop music is getting ready to move on, growing ever more tired of the beats and the predictable lyrics that come with them.

So it gives great satisfaction that in the same week as such a pleasant addition to the UK Charts, English alt-rock group Band of Skulls releases their second album Sweet Sour. Great because it gives the sense that, if there were to be a change soon, there are talented underground bands waiting to help make the push for more inventive music when the time comes.

From start to finish, the quality rarely lets up. Lyrically coherent, musically strong with fine timing and fantastic interweaving harmonies, every song feels fresh and memorable. The opening has an anthemic feel that could easily be a great festival song for 2012 if pushed hard enough. “Bruises” hits the right balance between Kings of Leon and Kim Deal (an odd mix) to carry both a pop air and an immensely satisfying rock underbelly. “The Devil Takes Care Of His Own” hits a chord with those missing some of the heavier chords from classic rock and “Lay My Head Down” brings the pace down for a beautifully written lullaby (interrupted shortly for a suitably scratchy musical interlude). If negatives must be drawn, production at times can be a little too heavy, drowning out some of the raw energy the musicians give, and the final track of the album is easily the weakest. But all are just minor qualms that shouldn’t deter you from giving this one a shot, as it could easily be one of the first great rock albums of the year.

Day #49 - Noel Gallagher (Live In The Odyssey Arena, Belfast) Review

A review of Noel Gallagher live in Belfast, which Andy Harris and I got to see thanks to Priya being a lovely person and having a guestlist spot she couldn't make allowing us to take it from her ;D

Enjoy!

--

At Oxegen 2011, Liam Gallagher (brother of Noel Gallagher and the other half of the massively influential Oasis) and his band ‘Beady Eye’ played a fifty-minute spot on the main stage. During which, the played their only two singles in the first fifteen minutes and dragged out the rest of the show with album fillers and minimal grace. On the bus home from the festival, several disappointed voices could be heard from previous fans, some of outrage over Liam’s post-Oasis egocentricity, some more resigned in saying they had somewhat expected it, but were still overall let down. Most shockingly of all, Liam would not recognise Oasis in his set. Forming the greater part of his life, career and image, let alone being one of the most influential bands of the late 20^th Century, fans and onlookers alike would not be amiss to expect some sort of tribute to the band from which the musician gained enough reputation to even play a high-spot on a multi-staged festival. Not a word, just resentment towards the band’s end through silent protest.

It comes as no surprise then why Noel Gallagher and his ‘High Flying Birds’ were an overall superior show. As popular as Noel’s solo songs may be, fans of the Gallagher brothers were formed with Oasis, and to deny them the satisfaction of hearing even one Oasis song would be a crushing blow to the otherwise innocent intentions of such dedicated people. The difference in satisfaction could be seen from crowd reaction alone as Noel played almost as many Oasis songs as he did solo songs.

Crowds roared to ‘Supersonic’, and an entire four-song encore was dedicated to Noel’s former band. A combination of ‘Whatever’, ‘Little By Little’, ‘The Importance of Being Idle’ (a risky addition given its easy comparison to Noel’s solo “The Death of You and Me”, but a satisfying one non-the-less) and finishing the show on the classic “Don’t Look Back in Anger” left not only fans breathless and appeased, but more general supporters too. One can’t help but be swept up in the moment when an entire stadium erupts into song, and that’s something Liam’s band have surely missed..

The overall show was an enjoyable affair. Most solo songs were strong enough to stand out on their own, such as “AKA… What a Life!” and “The Death of You and Me”, but the surrounding cover songs definitely helped elate the atmosphere. Noel’s backing band shifted constantly to fit each song, sporting a choir and a brass band at various points, and while such back-ups would spell murder for most musician’s career (see: Guns N’ Roses), Noel was capable enough to get away with it by keeping them as mostly low-key background sounds and by even addressing praise towards them later in the show. As the show continues, becomes apparent that Noel knows he can’t top Oasis, so he tries not to. Instead, he puts on a strong show that is half-tribute to the band, half showcase of his own songs, and it all seems to be in the fans favour. While the final thought of the night may have been longing for a genuine Oasis concert instead, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds put on a show that felt close enough to the real thing to tide those remaining fans over. 

Day #48 - Album Artwork: A Dying Medium?

Another article for the Gown, this time one for Features about album artwork. Hopefully you'll enjoy this one too!

---

Album covers have always been something that perhaps the music industry has taken for granted. Of the Official Top Ten UK Albums (ending 18^th February), nine simply have a picture of the artist as the cover. Rarely does an album make use of clever photography or memorable artwork to help sell the music anymore. And perhaps it’s down to how albums are sold now.

In the past, an album would rely on its artwork more heavily to catch attention. The only way an album sold was by either having heard of an artist and actively deciding to find the album yourself, or by browsing in a music store and judging by the covers which musicians you would like to hear. So, album covers were made to reflect the tone of the music inside. Black Sabbath’s earthly-ghost cover debut suggested the dark attitude that came with metal at the time, Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ had an uncensored picture of a submerged baby reaching for a dollar to reflect their tone of rejecting societal clichés, etc.

Sure, there were plenty of albums that have sold with just the face of a celebrity in the past, there’s no denying that. But rarely has there been so little imagination in the music industry that the only thoughtful way to summarise a musician’s work in nine of the ten chart places available, is by placing their face on it. The reason for this is the rise of artist identification. In order for a pop musician to stand apart today, they need a public identity to be explored and exposed. So, record companies simply apply the artist’s face to the album to simplify the process. If a child is at the supermarket (or, more likely, iTunes) and they see the artist’s face, they’re already well aware of the artist’s profile and so can readily decide to purchase the album on that image alone. This cuts the difficulties in trying to advertise the album through other means and spending otherwise unnecessary amounts of money introducing an otherwise ‘difficult’ art piece to the public.

Doesn’t this show a frightening lack of thought in pop music? That people work tirelessly creating an album, just to slap a picture of their face on it and call it a day? Not to think it through and try to make something as memorable as Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ or The Beatle’s ‘White Album’, concepts which give the album an existence beyond the next two months of sales reports? A pop album will benefit from artist identification in the near future, but after several years pass by, people are far less likely to be interested in a cover face that doesn’t identify anything about the sound of the album. Even marketing suffers here, in choosing a quick ‘cash injection’ rather than staying power and lifetime sales, and the artists suffer from lack of interest. To make a lasting impact in music requires effort, something both musicians and companies are forgetting with the album cover.

Day #47 - The Boys in the Photograph (Fusion Theatre Review)

Here's a review of a musical Maria and I went to see on the previous Saturday to this date. Wrote it up for the Gown, we'll see if it gets published, but as with all my Gown articles this is more of a unedited prototype!

Hopefully you'll enjoy reading it :D

---

When you think Andrew Lloyd Webber, you tend to think Phantom, or Cats, or even Jesus Christ Superstar. When you think Ben Elton, you tend to think Blackadder, Mr Bean or maybe even the unintentionally hilarious We Will Rock You (or “That Queen Musical” colloquially). So putting the two together, you might think of some sort of big-scale musical with a decent sense of comedy (if Blackadder is anything to go by), probably not a politically-fuelled musical about the Belfast/Northern Ireland Troubles.

The Boys in the Photograph, originally written as The Beautiful Game in 1998, is a 2009 re-write about the growing pressures of political violence and unrest in Belfast on a local football team, most of whom are Catholic bar one Protestant who continually identifies himself as an Atheist, and the women who get caught up with the team.
The show, held in the Island Hall Theatre, Lisburn from 8^th-11^th February, was significant because it was the first time the show had ever been performed in Northern Ireland. Held capably in the hands of Fusion Theatre, a youth group from the area, the show was displayed fantastically. With a reasonably-sized cast of actors and actresses under the age of 19, praises for the group can’t be higher. Acting, singing, choreography, music, set design and direction were all undertaken by the group and handled incredibly well. Characters were made as believable as the script would allow, choreography managed to make a game of football without an actual ball into a dangerous dance scene with relative ease and surprising tension, costumes and set pieces were handled well and overall the show felt like every effort was made to bring this piece to life. All of which would be make for the perfect show if the writing by Webber and Elton had more life in them.

While dramatic scenes such as a riot at an Orange Parade, an IRA home invasion and the internment of the main protagonist are scripted well and are genuinely tense and unnerving, at times the script tries to force its message too much. Even during a party scene, where you’d think in real life the people could wind down and enjoy the night, one character serves no other purpose than to remind the audience that the Troubles are still happening, rather than letting the audience put that to the back of their mind and then surprising them as the violence reintroduces itself. Certain characters, including one who remains a vocal point from start to finish, have little to no character and are simply used as dramatic points in which the audience are expected to feel sorry for the characters, despite having no personal relation to them. At these points Fusion really shines, converting what could have been several disappointingly dislocated scenes into highly dramatic, well acted moments. The difficult subject of The Troubles may not have made the perfect musical idea, but the group handles it fine, giving it enough humour and balance to make for a strong show that, if it gets a second run anytime soon, can only be a recommendation.

Day #46 - This Song Is Literally About Nothing (And Would Make Millions)

In a tired mood on this day, I wrote the following pop song! With I've tentatively titled "This Song Is Literally About Nothing (And Would Make Million) feat. Pitbull". I hope you'll agree ;D

--

I can hold you
I want to be up all night
Like the dance beat
Moving to the moonlight

Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah

It's you and me tonight

Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah

It's you and me tonight

Now hold me
And we can dance until it's dark
With the music and the DJ
Dancing in the park

Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah

It's you and me tonight

Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah

It's you and me tonight

---
Pitbull Rap
---

Yeah yeah, been far and wide
But you beautiful ladies keep me up at night
Yeah, I got more money than Mario, ha-ha
But puerto musca, via rodeo (WHOO!)

Uh, can't hold me down, nuh uh
Gotta keep coming round
And running out, I'm running out
'cause these words ain't nothing bout (yeah)

--
End Pitbull Rap
--

Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah

It's you and me tonight

Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah

It's you and me tonight

Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah

It's you and me tonight

Yeah yeah
Yeah Yeah

It's you and me tonight
Tonight
Tonight
(Wooo!)

----


Hopefully you notice how real Pitbull's part is in this song. Woo HaHa Puerto Musca Haha Woo Ends With Song Title.

Day #45 - 13 Licks

Time for the weekly artistic update! On Day #45, I wrote lyrics and guitar to a song I've titled "13 Licks".

Relatively personal, but I like how it sounds. Hopefully I'll get to recording it at some point! Until then, here are the lyrics.

--

Carving out my own shape
The colour not quite clear
So many months under your notes
Speaking back your words

Thirteen licks by sundown
Still can hear your doll
First disc in the car ride
Last tune in the dark

And still I'll stand by my choice
Though phases always try
The greatest songs of our youth
The greatest songs of our lives

And here I stand by my own right
Some broken strings by my hand
A new perspective on my life
While the same old words are ringing

It don't matter what they try to say
I'll never believe the truth
With all I know I've got my place
I can only hope for the new youth

And still I'll stand by my choice
Though competition's not run dry
A thousand songs by my ear
And their strength can't match your eye

And what I hope is that I can say
That a child may someday smile
When they're holding up my own box
Even though the formats died

But maybe I'm just a bloated fool
And maybe I'll never do right
But at least I've got those old tunes
And I know, for now, that's fine.

Day #44 - The House of the Rising Sun

Today, I recorded a cover of 'The House of the Rising Sun' (or finished an earlier attempt).

Which you can listen to here:

The House Of The Rising Sun (Cover)

Enjoy!

Day #43 - A Ukulele Piece Was Written

But unfortunately, not recorded and at this point, barely remembered.

...HURRAY!

Day #42 - I Ain't Done Nothing Today

Speaks for itself really.

Day #41 - Recorded 'The House of the Rising Sun' Ukulele Part

Yes I did!
No you can't hear it.

But maybe you will soon ;D

Day #40 - Maverick Sabre - Lonely Are The Brave (Review)

Another review for The Gown :)

This is a review of the debut of London-Irish Singer Songwriter 'Maverick Sabre'.

You don't have to know who that is.

--

Maverick Sabre – Lonely Are The Brave (Review)

It was never going to last. The ‘soul’ revival scene was much too powerful to die with Amy Winehouse. Only months gone, and the world has found another shaky-but-soulful voice in English/Irish singer-songwriter Maverick Sabre, who shot to prominence as a feature in Professor Green’s fourth single, ‘Jungle’.

Those hoping to fit Maverick into the stiletto boots of Winehouse may want to abandon such thoughts here. While there is definitely a soul element to Maverick, most noticeable in hits-to-be “I Need” and “Let Me Go”, this soon gives way to a more hip-hop and reggae feel, to varying degrees of success. At points, the reggae appears to come naturally to the young singer, but the majority feels forced, including at one point a painful reference to Babylon, as if ‘The Reggae Mandate’ required it. The overproduction on the album works with the more soulful songs, but otherwise intrudes and detracts. Little guitar flairs and string and brass accompaniments blend into each other with an effect that will likely leave the listener unaware of when one song ends and another begins. Maverick’s hurt-soaked vocal sound like they could benefit from some stripped-back production, perhaps in some shed with a couple of microphones ala Iver.

As a whole, ‘Lonely Are The Brave’ has a few moments. ‘I Used To Have It All’, while somewhat preachy, has a great chorus. ‘Shooting The Stars’ almost focuses more on voice than production (the only point in the album that attempts to do so), and has a lot to gain for doing so. Such memorable moments seldom appear though, and by album end you’ll find that most of the songs just aren’t strong enough to stand out alone, making the album another triumph for the growing catalogue of background musicians.

Day #39 - A Tune That Didn't Work

On this day, I wrote a little guitar piece that I liked, and tried to record and put it to something else.

It would not go.

So I have yet again nothing to show for this day. :D

Day #38 - 'Lights' Ukulele Recorded

On this day, I recorded a piece to a song I have not finished recording.

My voice was cold-ridden this entire week, so basically nothing was completed recording wise.

And because I intend on finishing the recording, I have nothing yet to show you :)

Day #37 - What Happens? (Demo)

So today, I actually recorded something musically. That, while improvised, actually sounds relatively good given the timeframe I produced it in and the lack of studio equipment (and guitar skill).

Simple, but fun. Called "What Happens?"

Hope you enjoy! :)

What Happens? (Demo)

Day #36 - A Summer Playlist For Driving (Spotify Playlist)

So, I realised something. Year after year, I always mean to make a Summer Song playlist, and never do. Something that would be great to listen to on the road or camping or something with plenty of sun, grass, warmth and open air. That's the kind of shit I'm into it, and I love the songs that can best fit it.

So, I tried my best to pick a good long list of songs you could listen to (of my taste, anyway) while in that kind of scenario. Also tried to make it flow as best as possible, but you'll only ever appreciate that if you actually listen to it sometime! Some choices might surprise you in there, the odd weird song that no one really knows, but all-in-all, hopefully something you'll enjoy. 

Here's the link to listen to it:

A Summer Playlist For Driving

Day #35 - Idea Work

On this day, I decided to put some ideas down in my little idea book.

I have an Idea Book now by the way.

Unfortunately I have no means of showing you the ideas, but that's probably for the best. Just take my word for it. I was working on a few new concepts to work on in the future. I think there was a sitcom idea, a comic idea and a video game idea in the mix. Some remixes of old ideas, some new ones entirely. You'll hear more about them here if they actually ever turn into something :)

But that's what I spent this day doing. So there you go!

Day #34 - Who Needs Sleep?

Apparently, I've moved to ripping off Barenaked Ladies now.

Here's another set of lyrics, to which I have a tune down for. Hopefully I'll get some recordings up soon, I found some good hardware lying about I might be able to use for recordings. Let's hope!

----

Who needs sleep
When you've got an image
More vivid than dreams

Who needs pills
When you've got an experience
Lighter than air

Who needs love
Love is for insomniacs
Love never sleeps

Close my tired eyes
But never rest my battered mind
If there's release upon the end
I welcome it in due time
In due time
In due time
Wait for caution's line

Who needs sleep
When you've got goals
Ones you keep although you never set

Who needs pills
When you've got substance
A solid you can never hold

Who needs love
Love is for maniacs
Love never keeps... still

Close my tired eyes
But never rest my battered mind
If there's release, there I'll find
A welcoming when it's right
When it's right
When it's right
Wait for caution's line

Caution's line-

What we need at this time
No more processes of Ill-aligned
What I have I know is right
And you'll never take my time
Take my time
Take my time
I wait for caution's line

Day #33 - Trust

Ok, ok, less lyrics. You want the real shit, right? Well you got it.

Poetry. Poorly thought out poetry. But would poetry be any fun if you really had to think about it?

No. It wouldn't. At least not for me.

Here's a poem called 'Trust'.

---

Trust is the funniest thing
A two way system with no law
Just expectation.

Putting your hands in another
And hoping that another's hands
Fit your hands when another
Comes to fit your hands to gloves

There is no half-way.
If there is no total
There is no at all
And that is all.

The rewards are plentiful
But the process is demanding
Repeated pressure required
From the iron feet.

It moulds, solidifies,
liquifies, scalds, seals,
solidifies, heats, boils and
evaporates if not kept under cool.

Best look at the positives,
Trust is the decision to choose
Just one person out of all
To be happy dying by.

--

Day #32 - The Disney "Everything's OK" Song

Wow, you sure love your lyrics! Yes. I will definitely supply you with more.

Realistically, lyrics are just easy for me to fire out, so it saves time and I feel like I'm being creative.

This time? My attempt at writing like Jonathan Coulton. Basically, that's exactly what this is. It's a semi-funny song about Disney, where the music swells at the end and everything's 'OK!' despite... lingering plot threads and such. Best not to explain I'm sure! Just enjoy!

----

You can hear it creeping in at the end
Reminding you that you have a friend
Reminding you that you can make it through...
All the hardships!
It starts off with a longing look
Then everyone's laughing 'cause that's all it took
And there it is with that infectious hook, you love... 'cause---

It's the Disney "Everything's Ok" song
And we know that now we will all get along
It's the Disney "Everything's OK" song
And though the villain's around, he's turned a new leaf
And though the world is in ruin we can find some relief
Because some major chords and a freeze frame is all that we need--
(slower) Thanks to the Disney "Everything's Ok" song

Aliens attacked our home town last week
Now we're bowing at their feet
Yet a minor victory by some kids under seventeen...
Means...
We can pat our backs and say that we're done
And that in the end the fighting was won
Because that beautiful chord has already begun, it's time... 'cause---

It's the Disney "Everything's Ok" song
And we know that now we will all get along
It's the Disney "Everything's OK" song
And though the villain's around, he's turned a new leaf
And though the world is in ruin we can find some relief
Because some major chords and a freeze frame is all that we need--
(slower) Thanks to the Disney "Everything's Ok" song

What about continuity errors?
What about the time when all your family died?
Did no one bother to find out these things after?
I guess it doesn't matter
I guess it doesn't matter
'Cause somebody's starting to sing---

(Just guitar and vocals)
It's the Disney "Everything's Ok" song
And we know that now we can all stand strong
It's the Disney "Everything's OK" song
And everything is better!
So I guess it doesn't matter!
'Cause It's the Disney "Everything's Ok" song
And we know that now we will all get along
It's the Disney "Everything's OK" song
And though the villain's around, he's turned a new leaf
And though the world is in ruin we can find some relief
Because some major chords and a freeze frame is all that we need--
(slower) Thanks to the Disney "Everything's Ok" song



Freeze Frame!
--

Day #31 - Walnut Surprise

Even more lyrics you demand? Well, by all means, take them all!

This is a song to Richard Katz, a fictional character from the album Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. (A FANTASTIC NOVEL EVERYONE MUST READ)

I actually tried to write it in a way I thought he would approach songwriting, with a tinge of irony and so on. But not that anyone would pick up on all that, I suppose. So here you go!

-----

Care goes round and round and round and round
and stops at you [x4]

When do you get off? [x2]
Pleasure's the price
Thanks for the lift.

Make it another day
You're always right
Always right
The best of what you say
Always right
Always right
Always right---

When do you get off? [x2]
Pleasure's the price
Enjoy the trip.

Make it another day
You're always right
Always right
The best of what you say
Always right
Always right
Always right---

Care goes round and round and round
and round and round and stops.
Care goes round and round and round
and round and round and stops.
Does it take the ordinary to explain
the extraordinary?
Will it take a change in mood?

Make it another day
You're always right
Always right
The best of what you say
Always right
Always right
Always right---
Always right
Always right
Always right---
Pleasure's the price
When do you get off?

Day #30 - Thinking of You

What's that? You wanted more lyrics? Well, shucks! Here you go!

------

I hide your eyes behind my hands because I want to prove
That if the world had robbed you blind I'd still be there for you
To make of use
To carry you
Or anything regardless of what others do

So if I'm not all at once by your side or near
Please remember that I never truly leave you dear
Although physically
I may be far
But we've never needed flesh or bones to steal our hearts

So whether I turn the light off and lie somewhere alone
Or whether I'm surrounded by a million passing stones
That the people throw
For what I've done in everything I do
I'm always thinking of you.
And whether I'm distracted by the seven seas
And whether lyrics roll and take their toll on me
You should always know
That despite what I've done
Even if they don't ring true
I held my positives when
Thinking of you.

---

Soppy.

Thoughtless.

What did you expect? :)

Day #29 - More Third Person Work

Yes, on this day I did more work for 'The Third Person'.

But I didn't finish anything.

So you're not getting anything here.

Move along to the next blog post.

Day #28 - The Third Person Preface Work (Again)

Yes, once again I decided to work on my novel. And to be fair, I almost finished the whole Preface. Still, I might as well show you what I'm working on this time, so here's the opening extract from the very start of the novel. This time it's more than a paragraph, it's an actually scene. Woo! Exciting stuff! I haven't looked over it too much yet, so consider it a draft, but here you go!

------

Preface

Think of the darkest thing you’ve ever seen. The inside of a wardrobe, playing hide-and-seek with your friends or family (or favourite imaginary being), perhaps. Or at home when the power runs out. Or in an alley in the middle of town that you probably shouldn’t be in and are probably about to stumble through because you can’t see the ground beneath you (a common occurrence, to be sure).

Now multiply that darkness by ten (if you can) and you might roughly have an idea of how dark it is in Externia. Externia, a land of immeasurable darkness, where one can’t tell the sky from the ground from the mountains from the sea from the stones at your feet to the hands you hold in front of your face; has only one main source of light. This comes not from any star, like Earth’s Sun, or any light bulb, like Ernie’s lamp, but from a single glowing palace known as Internia. The stones that line the walls of this great building produce a soft, gentle glow which illuminates the only distinguishable landscape in all Externia. The light around Internia paints the nearby sky a deep purple, the ground a solid grey and the mountains in the distance a pale but indisputable brown. There are, of course, other minor sources of light in Externia, but we shall delve into those later.

Throughout the land, there are only minuet signs of life. There are no fish, birds, reptiles, bugs, plants or mammals. But there is air, artificial as if pumped from a vent, and there is a temperature, a constant 24 °C (about 75°F), but it also feels processed, like the kind of heat you may find pumping through a car on a cold winter’s day. And in this false atmosphere, enough distance from Internia that it can be seen clearly, but far away enough that one would be hard to see from Internia itself, two dim red lights rise over the border of a mountain. These dim red lights are the naturally glowing eyes of Drell, self-appointed leader of the Zeems (though there wasn’t much resistance from the idea).

Shortly behind him were seven more pairs of these red glowing eyes, each belonging pair belonging to another Zeem. Drell had halted at the sight of Internia while the followers halted at the sight of Drell halting. Under the pale glow of Internia, you could just make out the body of Drell. (Or, at least what you would assume is his body, as you surely have seen nothing on Earth like it.) With a consistency more in common with liquid than solid, Drell’s body was entirely jet black and gave the impression that it was always in motion, despite being held firmly in the same shape, one that resembles the outline of a human being. His dim glowing red eyes were the only feature on what we can assume is his face. His body was oddly misshapen, at least in comparison to the other Zeems. His left arm was significantly longer than his right, with finger that just touched the ground. Made of the same substance as the rest of his body, he left it limp. His right arm was more regularly-proportioned in regards to his body. The same was true for his legs, only in reverse, for it was his right leg that was longer than his left. Not so long that he had to hop, but long enough that his walk resembled that of a pirate with a shorter peg-leg. His head was also larger than all the other Zeems, which is probably due to his heightened intelligence in comparison.

The remaining Zeems were, in contrast, far less misshapen (though they did share the same liquid-like density as Drell). Their heads all varied in size, but most were not as large as Drell’s. Their arms and legs were generally of the same proportion to their bodies, though some Zeems were taller than others. Drell stood as third tallest of the eight on that particular mountain. Only one other Zeem at that point could see Internia, over Drell, thanks to his height. Drell motioned with his longer hand for the group to come closer, swinging it in the direction of Internia. The Zeems climbed to the same area as Drell and caught, most of them for the first time ever, a glimpse at the splendour of the glorious glowing palace. Some shielded their dim red eyes from the glow, others (who had probably seen Internia before) did not. There was a buzz of excitement running through the Zeems now, at least all but Drell, who remained calm. From his person, a low, deep voice quietly emerged.

“Do you all remember the plan?” he asked. He had no mouth to move, yet the words were clearly emitted from his person. In reply to his question, the other Zeems sounded back in either a quiet ‘yes’ or various speeds of nodding. “Good,” was Drell’s soft reply, and without speaking another word, began his descent from the mountain in the direction of Internia. The others followed dutifully.

-- -- -- -- --

So yeah, that ALSO explains absolutely nothing about the novel! But hey, silly names for silly things! Hopefully you enjoyed reading it so far :D