Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Don't Fear The Reaper!!

There are a lot of songs out there that can be misconstrued when talking about such things as death and suicide.  Don't Fear The Reaper is one of those songs.  The song is actually about the eternal power of love and learning to accept death.

Don't Fear The Reaper was written by Donald Roeser, the lead guitarist of Blue Oyster Cult, also known as Buck Dharma.

Buck Dharma explained the meaning of the song in a 1995 interview with College Music Journal(1). Here is an excerpt from the article:  "I felt that I had just achieved some kind of resonance with the psychology of people when I came up with that, I was actually kind of appalled when I first realized that some people were seeing it as an advertisement for suicide or something, that was not my intention at all.  It is, like, not to be afraid of it (as opposed to actively bring it about).  It's basically a love song where the love transcends the actual physical existence of the partners."

Some cool facts about the song:

*  Don't Fear The Reaper is one of several songs quoted in Stephen King's novel, The Stand,
 published in 1978.

*  Stephen King's miniseries, The Stand, first broadcast in 1994, featured the song during the opening credits. 


*  On April 8, 2000, Saturday Night Live performed a spoof that fictionalized the recording of the song starring Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell, along with a few other cast members.  This is where the well-known cowbell catchphrase was born!  "Guess what?!  I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!!" ~Christopher Walken's character

*  Rolling Stone Magazine released the list "500 Greatest Songs Of All Time" in November 2004. Don't Fear The Reaper was listed at number 405.

Now that you know what the meaning of the song truly is, read through the lyrics below.   The song is absolutely  amazing.  And for me, the song has always been a little higher than number 405 on my list of 500!

Blue Oyster Cult ~ Don't Fear The Reaper ~ Agents of Fortune (1976)

All our times have come
Here but now they're gone
Seasons don't fear the reaper
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain ... we can be like they are
Come on baby ... don't fear the reaper
Baby take my hand ... don't fear the reaper
We'll be able to fly ... don't fear the reaper
Baby I'm your man ...

Valentine is done
Here but now they're gone
Romeo and Juliet
Are together in eternity ... Romeo and Juliet
40,000 men and women everyday ... Like Romeo and Juliet
40,000 men and women everyday ... Redefine happiness
Another 40,000 coming everyday ... We can be like they are
Come on baby ... don't fear the reaper
Baby take my hand ... don't fear the reaper
We'll be able to fly ... don't fear the reaper
Baby I'm your man ...

Love of two is one
Here but now they're gone
Came the last night of sadness
And it was clear she couldn't go on
Then the door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew and then disappeared
The curtains flew and then he appeared ... saying don't be afraid
Come on baby ... and she had no fear
And she ran to him ... then they started to fly
They looked backward and said goodbye ... she had become like they are
She had taken his hand ... she had become like they are 
Come on baby ... don't fear the reaper

Source(s):
1 Buck Dharma's November 6, 1995 Interview by James Lien, College Music Journal.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Step On A Crack . . .

Merriam-Webster describes superstition as: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation.

Superstitions have always intrigued me.  There are so many of them out; and every generation, every culture has their own.  So I thought it would be fun to list some of the animal and creepy crawly superstitions that I've heard over the years.   Here are some superstitions you may/may not be familiar with.

For the Chinese and North/South Poles, a bat means happiness and a long life; a good omen.  And bats have always had a connection with witches.  They can have good and/or bad connotations, depending on the tradition.  

*Bat:   If a bat flies three times around a house, it is said to be a death omen.

*
Butterfly:  If the first butterfly you see of the year is white, you will have good luck all year long.

Throughout history, there are many superstitions that involve cats regarding health, weather, luck and the spirit world.

*Cat:  A cat on top of a tombstone meant the soul of the departed buried was possessed by the Devil. Whereas, two cats that were seen fighting near a dying person, or on a grave shortly after a funeral, are said to be the Devil and an Angel fighting for possession of the soul. (Old English Superstitions)

(NOTE:) There were no caterpillars hurt before, during or after this blog!

*Caterpillar:  There were some miners who believed that if you find a hairy caterpillar and throw it over your left shoulder, it will bring you good luck!

*Daddy Long Legs:   If a plow kills a daddy long legs, the cows will go dry.  

Dogs are said to have the ability to see ghosts and spirits.

*Dog:  A dog howling at midnight warns you of death.

An elephant is a symbol of power, strength and royalty.  And of all elephants, the white elephant is considered the most sacred. 

*Elephant:   If an elephant's trunk curls up this means good luck.  And if an elephant's trunk is down it means bad luck.

*Fish:   If you throw back the first fish you catch, you'll be lucky the entire day fishing.  

"Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home.  Your house is on fire and your children are gone."

*Ladybug:   If a young girl catches a ladybug and then she releases it, the direction in which the ladybug flies away will be the direction the young girl's future husband will come from.  

*Moth:   A white moth flying is said to be the spirit of a grandparent hovering near.

*Robin:   A Robin that enters a house or a church is said to be an omen of death.

*Sheep:   If you meet a flock of sheep during your travels, you will have good luck.

*Spider:   Finding a spider in the morning = sorrow ... at midday = anxiety ... in the evening = loss.

I'd like to end this with a quote from  Ulysses S. Grant.

"Everyone has his superstitions.  One of mine has always been when I started to go anywhere, or to do anything, never to turn back or to stop until the thing intended was accomplished."
~Ulysses S. Grant

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Man Of The Forest!


It’s that time of year again, when I start thinking about a calendar for the upcoming year.

This year I have decided to purchase a calendar to help support one of my favorite causes. 


Since I was a little girl I have loved all animals, but I've always had a fascination with primates.   Every time I would see a show or a photo of any primate, it brought (still does) a smile to my face.


The name “orangutan” literally translates into English as “man of the forest”.  It comes from Malay and Bahasa Indonesian orang (man) and hutan (forest).


My heart holds a special place for orangutans.  And it saddens me that their homes are recklessly being destroyed by deforestation and they are being killed by poachers.  [Their main threats are:  destruction of the rainforest due mainly to encroaching palm oil plantations, illegal logging, fires and poaching. ]

There are ways that we can help them to NOT become an endangered species.  


Glenn Alderson and Bev Luff  together are raising awareness about the deforestation and near species extinction and raising funds to try to help both COP and OLT in achieving that goal. 


The Borneo Project
:  Glenn Alderson Photography and With Compassion & Soul are donating 100% of the profits from the sale of all framed prints, non-framed prints, 2012 calendars, cards and all other merchandise from this project to:  The Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP) and The Orangutan Land Trust (OLT).  

Visit the page below to read more about The Borneo Project and to purchase an item to help out.   The photographs are absolutely amazing.


http://glennalderson.com/borneo-project.php


I will be doing my part by purchasing a 2012 calendar of those beautiful babies to display in our kitchen.   I hope you will take some time and check out the websites I have listed and learn more about how to help the orangutans; and learn more about the programs and people who are helping them currently.


Here are a few more ways to help out:


If you have any slightly used purses you would like to get rid of, check out the following websites. 


http://redapes.org/purses  or  
http://pursesforprimates.webs.com


P
urses for Primates is a non-profit group which collects gently used purses, scarves and jewelry to re-sell at parties.  100% of all money raised is donated to the orangutan outreach through www.redapes.org.

You can also recycle old cell phones and pagers for orangutan conservation.  Check out this website for details:  
http://www.orangutan.com/how-to-help/cell-phone/


There are so many fun ways to help out and donate to this cause.  Go to http://www.redapes.org/shop and check out the neat stuff they have for sale. 



(Here is my husband's stuffed orangutan who currently hangs around in our living room!  I purchased this little guy for my husband and donated money in his name a few years ago.)

If you would like to learn more about orangutans and the people who are helping to keep these animals from extinction, be sure and check out the websites on the right-hand side of my blog.


I'd like to end with one of my favorite quotes:


"Animals do have a voice.  If you ignore their suffering, I will remind you of it.  If you don't understand them, I will translate.  If you don't hear them, I will be their voice.  You may silence them but you cannot silence me as long as I live."  ~Anita Mahdessian

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Cutting Into American Pie

Since I can remember, I've always loved Don McLean's song, American Pie.  The song goes on for an amazing eight and a half minutes.

According to Don McLean, himself, the song was originally inspired by the death of Buddy Holly, on February 3rd, 1959 ( . . . "the day the music died.").  The song represents the evolution of music and politics throughout the 50's and the 60's; and at the same time presents an abstract story of McLean's life during this time period.  

A sidenote:  The plane that crashed killing Buddy Holly, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, Ritchie Valens and the pilot, Roger Peterson, was NOT named American Pie. 

For those of you who have ever wondered what the song is about, like I have, I will try and break the song down and explain the lyrics from my research.

The following is my interpretation of the song from research I've done with the help of the Internet.

A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And, maybe, they’d be happy for a while.

A function of early rock and roll was to provide dance music for various social events.  It also explains McLean's desire to become a musician.

But February made me shiver
With every paper I’d deliver.
Bad news on the doorstep;
I couldn't take one more step.


Don was a paperboy when Buddy Holly died (his only job before becoming a singer-song writer).  And here he is referring to how he found out about his death.

I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride,

The widowed bride he is referring to is Buddy Holly's pregnant wife, Maria Elena.  She later had a miscarriage.

But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died.

And "The day the music died" is referring to the plane crash that Holly, The Big Bopper and Valens were in. 

So bye-bye, miss american pie.

Goodbye to rock and roll and dance music of the 50's; the music of America.  

Drove my Chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.

The American automobile was Chevy.

And them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die.
"

"That'll be the day that I die." are lines from the chorus of "That'll Be The Day", one of Buddy Holly's hits.

Did you write the book of love,

The Monotones' 1958 hit "The Book Of Love".

And do you have faith in God above,
If the Bible tells you so?

“ Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."; old Sunday School song. 

Do you believe in rock ’n roll,

The Loving Spoonful's hit in 1965 "Do You Believe In Magic?"  Two lines in the song:  "Do you believe in magic" and "It's like trying to tell a stranger bout rock and roll."

Can music save your mortal soul,
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

Slow dancing was an important part of early rock and roll dance events.  The popularity declined through the 60's.  And things like psychedelia and extra-long guitar solos gained prominence. 

Well, I know that you’re in love with him`cause I saw you dancin’ in the gym.

Dancing was an expression of love back in the 60's.  Dance partners were not so easily exchanged as they would be later on in the years. 

You both kicked off your shoes.

A reference to "sock hop".  Dancers were required to remove their shoes to protect the varnished floor of the gymnasium.  

Man, I dig those rhythm and blues.

Before rock and roll became popular, music was greatly segregated.  The popular music of black performers for generally black audiences was called "race music" and later referred to as (we know it today) "rhythm and blues."

I was a lonely teenage broncin’ buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck,

Marty Robbins' 1957 hit "A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation)".  And the pickup truck was endured as a symbol of sexual independence and potency.

REFRAIN

Now for ten years we’ve been on our own

McLean wrote this song in the late 60s, ten years after the crash.

And moss grows fat on a rollin’ stone,

Bob Dylan's 1965 song, "Like A Rolling Stone".

But that’s not how it used to be.
When the jester sang for the king and queen,

The jester is Bob Dylan; Elvis Presley is the king (goes without saying); and the queen is said to have been either Little Richard or Connie Francis.

In a coat he borrowed from James Dean

James Dean has a red windbreaker in the movie, "Rebel Without A Cause", which holds symbolic meaning throughout the movie.  Also, on the cover of "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan", Bob Dylan is wearing a windbreaker while posed in a street scene similar to one shown in a well-known photo of James Dean.  (The windbreaker is more brown than red but the photo and album cover have strange similarities.)

And a voice that came from you and me,

Folk music which is defined as music originating among the common people of a region and/or a nation; passed down orally.  Bob Dylan's musical roots were folk music.

Oh, and while the king was looking down,
The jester stole his thorny crown.

Referring to Elvis' decline and Dylan's ascendance.  "Thorny crown" is a reference to the price of fame.  Dylan once said he wanted to be as famous as, one of his early idols, Elvis.

The courtroom was adjourned;
No verdict was returned.

The trial of the Chicago Seven.  

And while Lennon read a book of marx,

Literally; John Lennon reading about Karl Marx.  Figuratively; the introduction of radical politics into the music of the Beatles.  

The quartet practiced in the park,

The Beatles.

And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died.

A reference to the new "art rock" groups that would play long songs not meant for dancing. 

REFRAIN

Helter skelter in a summer swelter.

"Helter Skelter" is a Beatles song.  Charles Manson, who had claimed he was "inspired" by the song, through God and/or the Devil who were talking to him, led his followers in the Tate-LaBianca murder.  Summer swelter is referring to the long hot summer.

The birds flew off with a fallout shelter,
Eight miles high and falling fast. 

The Byrds' song "Eight Miles High" from the record "Fifth Dimension" was one of the first records widely banned due to supposed drug-oriented lyrics.

It landed foul on the grass.

One of the Byrds was busted for the possession of marijuana.  

The players tried for a forward pass,

The Rolling Stones (figuratively) waiting for an opening which didn't happen until the Beatles broke up. 

With the jester on the sidelines in a cast

Bob Dylan crashed his Triumph motorcycle on July 29, 1966.

Now the half-time air was sweet perfume

This could refer to the smell of drugs in the air.  Or a reference to tear gas as "sweet perfume". 

While the sergeants played a marching tune.

The album, "Sgt. Pepper" by the Beatles, was said to be the most influencal album of all time. It was the first British pop LP to have lyrics on the back cover.

We all got up to dance,
Oh, but we never got the chance!

The Beatles' Candlestick Park concert in 1966 that lasted only 35 minutes and performed music that you couldn't dance to.  This may also refer to the Beatles breaking up. 

`cause the players tried to take the field;
The marching band refused to yield.

A reference to how the Beatles dominated the rock and roll scene.

Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?

REFRAIN

Oh, and there we were all in one place,

Woodstock.

A generation lost in space

Reference to the 60s TV show, "Lost In Space." 

With no time left to start again.

Maybe referring to the "lost generation" spending too much time stoned.

So come on: jack be nimble, jack be quick!

Reference to Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones.  "Jumping Jack Flash" was released on May 24th, 
1968.

Jack flash sat on a candlestick

The Rolling Stones' Candlestick Park Concert.

Cause fire is the devil’s only friend.

Referring to the Stone's song, "Sympathy For The Devil."

Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage.

Mick Jaggar prancing and dancing on stage.

No angel born in hell
Could break that satan’s spell.

The Rolling Stones', "Sympathy For The Devil."  At a concert in 1969 at Altamont Speedway the Stones appointed members of the Hell's Angels to work security.  Near the front of the stage (in the darkness) a young man named Meredith Hunter was beaten and stabbed to death by the Angels.  Following this, a public outcry that the song, "Sympathy For The Devil" had somehow instigated the violence which then caused the Stones to drop this song from their shows for the next six years.

And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite,
I saw satan laughing with delight
The day the music died

The sacrifice referring to Meredith Hunter, and maybe bonfires around the area providing fire.  Satan referring to Mick Jaggar.

REFRAIN

I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news,
But she just smiled and turned away.

Janis Joplin, who died of a heroin overdose on October 4th, 1970. 

I went down to the sacred store
Where I’d heard the music years before,

Bill Graham's Fillmore West ("sacred store") one of the great rock and roll venues of all time.  And also referring to the stores that used to allow records to be previewed by customers. 

But the man there said the music wouldn’t play.

Referring to people not interested in hearing Buddy Holly music OR that stores do not have or allow in-store listening booths any longer.

And in the streets: the children screamed,

Speaking about the "flower children" being beaten by police and National Guard troops; maybe referring specifically to the People's Park riots in Berkeley in 1969 and 1970.

The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed.

Could be referring to the trend towards psychedelic music in the 60's.

But not a word was spoken;
The church bells all were broken.

The broken bells are the dead musicians.

And the three men I admire most:
The father, son, and the holy ghost,

Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. 

They caught the last train for the coast

Another way to say someone died.

The day the music died.

REFRAIN (X2)

Lastly, you'll notice that the song changes it's rhythm throughout the eight and a half minutes.  It starts out in mono and gradually goes to stereo which is said to represent going from the monaural era into the stereo age.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

For The Love Of Werewolves

A dear friend of mine has written her first novel entitled, Turn Of The Lykoi (Volume One of the Lykoi Series).  And she has managed to take my love of lycanthropy and crank it up about ten notches.

Andrea Norwich: Many of you may know Andi through the paranormal, you may have chatted with her on the Darkness Radio chat back in the day; or she may have 'iced' you in Mafia Wars on Facebook.

If you don't know her, well, shame on you. Andi is one of the kindest, coolest, most talented chics you'll ever meet.


Her first book, Turn Of The Lykoi, takes you on a journey into the life of Sam Harris.  Sam was only five years old when she lost her parents.  She went to live with her Aunt Claire after the lose.  Sam has made it to adulthood and is seeing that her life is starting to settle down or so she thinks ....


Now, I could go into more detail, but wouldn't it be more fun for you to go get yourself a copy and dive into the seductive world of the Lykoi.  I promise you, you won't be disappointed.





Not only is the book available in paperbook edition, it's also available as an eBook on Kindle.  Head over to Amazon and order your copy today.  Better yet, check out her website to see more about the book and to order it there.  If you look closely you may even see me on there lurking around with my copy!    
http://www.wix.com/lykoiseries/totl 


Here I am with my copy of the book!  

















(Random fun fact: Andi did the artwork for the cover of Crazy, a novel by Steven LaChance.)

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Ryan Murphy ~ At it again!

Ryan Murphy is back to creating an adult-only, sexually charged, mind blowing, seductively twisted TV series on FX,  and it's about time.

Anyone who truly knows me knows that I had an obsession between the years 2003 and 2010 that was known as the show Nip/Tuck  
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361217/.  This show hooked me in from the very second I watched the pilot episode in July of 2003.  The show delved into the personal lives of two best friends, Christian Troy, played by Julian McMahon, and Sean McNamara, played by Dylan Walsh;  
 http://www.entertainmentwallpaper.com/download/20015907/  who were also running a plastic surgery partnership together.  I even ended up being a part of a Julian McMahon fan-site, running and updating a section of the page for anything related to him and/or the show.  And I am the proud owner of the complete series on DVD ... (I said I was obsessed).


I was so disappointed when the show aired it's final episode in 2010.  And I had always hoped, in the back of my mind, that Ryan Murphy would decide to create another show just as mind blowing as Nip/Tuck had been.  

So you can imagine my excitement when I had heard he was coming out with a new show on FX with the word 'horror' in the title.  American Horror Story
  is a psycho-sexual thriller about a family who wants a fresh start and moves into a mansion that is haunted, starring, Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton and Jessica Lange.    
  http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/ahs/ 

In my opinion, it's about time that Ryan Murphy gets back to his psychotic, dark side of writing.  I'm sure that this show will not disappoint his fans who loved the naughty and rough nature of Nip/Tuck.

American Horror Story premieres tonight on FX at 10PM
Eastern.  

A little side-note:  The version of  the song Tainted Love that has been on the previews is performed by  Hannah Peel, an alternative/folk-pop singer/songwriter.   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEAwOgsCVZk