There are few people out there that can really spellbind me with their writing, but I believe Adam Young is one of these selected few. Whenever I read his blog posts I am nothing short of mesmerized. His way of describing his emotions and happenings in his life is nothing short of immaculate. (With the odd typo here and there, however, but with that skill of writing, who cares?!) Reading his posts is almost like diving into his mind and exploring the gorgeous things that are going on inside of it - and what a beautiful mind it is (excuse the movie reference; that was not intended).
He a devout Christian, but this reason for me adoring his writing is far outweighed by his beautifully described musings. He has the ability reserved only a few to not touch on a subject and barely scratch the emotional surface of it, but rather to touch on a subject and hold on to the emotion, the episode, the image, for a much longer time than many others. When you think that all words have been used and the topic has been exhausted, you're suddenly served another platter of delightful collocations, metaphors and other imagery.
This is one of those blogs wherein you're left with a fuzzy feeling in your stomach and a sense of serenity whenever you're done reading one of his posts; especially after having read one of his more profound gems. (Because that's exactly what they are - gems.) It is always so intriguingly satisfying to experience the unfurling of the story he writes about in your head. As if it were a bud slowly opening up and becoming a beautiful flower which you cannot see before you've read the entire post. Color me overly poetic if thou wishest, but I'm truly fascinated by his writing skills. It's almost as if I wish he were to write a novel of some sorts to get all of this indescribably beautiful writing on paper and stuck between two covers.
How refreshingly reassuring it is that there are people like him out there. Guess this indicates that there is, in fact, hope for this poor wretched world of ours. That there is a light - however faint - at the end of the all-too-known tunnel.
Signing off (mesmerized),
Elise
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Well done, Germany!
Excellent song! Got me dancing around the room for ages! Still dancing in my head! It's about time they won!
Britain came in last? IS THAT EVEN HUMANLY POSSIBLE?! Apparently yes, when you do a Cliff Richard 80s remake of "We Don't Talk Anymore" with backup singers who sing slightly off key more than once, just enough to be annoying. *snorts, points and laughs disdainfully* Guess that's what you'll get when you get a below-par Waterman production. His songs used to be better.
Meanwhile, I'm impressed by how well-organized it all was. Great opening sequence, great English grammar (with a few glitches here and there, but nothing worth commenting on). Over all the contestants were great. Competition was tough this year; THANK GOD the Eurotrash stuff was almost wiped out! For some reason Greece still seems to cling to this whole testosterone-laden fusion/crossover concept. Face it, guys, it's getting OLD. In fact, it IS already old. Lay it off, it's annoying.
As for Norway, I knew from the start that we'd get a low score. Heck, I'd even go as far as to say we were asking for yet another zero. Us climbing up to 20th was really just a small comfort. Why do we always seem to go for cheesy sugar-coated ballads? Don't get me wrong, he's got a great voice; it's just that apart from a few welcomed deviations, we've always gone for ballads. How about something more up-tempo? A ditsy and dorky sound and cute lyrics like the German entry this year? Like say, in the style of Cheezy Keys a couple of years ago? Now that one I liked!
Meanwhile, it was interesting to see how so many countries had chosen a Rybak-related strategy this year, either by hiring Norwegian songwriters, musicians or even lead singers (Georgia, Cyprus and Romania, respectively). That and the all-too-predictable fiddler in the background. Strategic, but perhaps a little passé.
And the whole lung-power and/or vocal acrobatics hoedown given by more than one country was... well, needless to say an essential criteria to be included, although it in some cases was a little over the top.
However, kudos to Denmark, Romania, Cyprus, France (Bob Sinclar flashback!!!) and not to mention Germany for great contributions this year. Didrik did well, despite some glitches at the start of the song. Chill factor? Check. Bettered choreography? Check. Backup singers instead of violinists pretending to play? Check. (Much better!) Bettered diction? Check. (Though I still get somewhat unwanted images in my head whenever he sings "My love is never gone; I feel it rise again (hmm...). Through it all, now my heart (are you sure that's what you're referring to?) is yours". Somewhat unwanted images, not necessarily completely unwanted, yaknowumsayin'.)
Over all, I'm satisfied with this year. Awesome selection of songs and great organization. Special effects were more than impressive and - perhaps as a nod to Bobbysocks - a pink (red) carpet. Nice touch. Generally good British diction from the emcees who were funny at times without being fake (e.g. Erik Solbakken's gags, not to mention Atle Antonsen! I was laughing my head off when I saw him sitting there!). V. g. indeed. I'm impressed.
Let's see how Germany does it next year... Aaaand let's see if we can come up with something else than a ballad. (Mind you, I don't have anything against ballads, it's just that from a competitive p.o.v. they have never really done it for us in general. So there. Competitive side right at'cha.)
Anyway, knackered. Tired. Hitting books tomorrow for last day before getting to know topic for oral exam. Gah. I'm not ready for this yet. Give me 2-3 more days to get the topics straight before I get the topic... *drained*
Signing off (-.-),
Elise
Britain came in last? IS THAT EVEN HUMANLY POSSIBLE?! Apparently yes, when you do a Cliff Richard 80s remake of "We Don't Talk Anymore" with backup singers who sing slightly off key more than once, just enough to be annoying. *snorts, points and laughs disdainfully* Guess that's what you'll get when you get a below-par Waterman production. His songs used to be better.
Meanwhile, I'm impressed by how well-organized it all was. Great opening sequence, great English grammar (with a few glitches here and there, but nothing worth commenting on). Over all the contestants were great. Competition was tough this year; THANK GOD the Eurotrash stuff was almost wiped out! For some reason Greece still seems to cling to this whole testosterone-laden fusion/crossover concept. Face it, guys, it's getting OLD. In fact, it IS already old. Lay it off, it's annoying.
As for Norway, I knew from the start that we'd get a low score. Heck, I'd even go as far as to say we were asking for yet another zero. Us climbing up to 20th was really just a small comfort. Why do we always seem to go for cheesy sugar-coated ballads? Don't get me wrong, he's got a great voice; it's just that apart from a few welcomed deviations, we've always gone for ballads. How about something more up-tempo? A ditsy and dorky sound and cute lyrics like the German entry this year? Like say, in the style of Cheezy Keys a couple of years ago? Now that one I liked!
Meanwhile, it was interesting to see how so many countries had chosen a Rybak-related strategy this year, either by hiring Norwegian songwriters, musicians or even lead singers (Georgia, Cyprus and Romania, respectively). That and the all-too-predictable fiddler in the background. Strategic, but perhaps a little passé.
And the whole lung-power and/or vocal acrobatics hoedown given by more than one country was... well, needless to say an essential criteria to be included, although it in some cases was a little over the top.
However, kudos to Denmark, Romania, Cyprus, France (Bob Sinclar flashback!!!) and not to mention Germany for great contributions this year. Didrik did well, despite some glitches at the start of the song. Chill factor? Check. Bettered choreography? Check. Backup singers instead of violinists pretending to play? Check. (Much better!) Bettered diction? Check. (Though I still get somewhat unwanted images in my head whenever he sings "My love is never gone; I feel it rise again (hmm...). Through it all, now my heart (are you sure that's what you're referring to?) is yours". Somewhat unwanted images, not necessarily completely unwanted, yaknowumsayin'.)
Over all, I'm satisfied with this year. Awesome selection of songs and great organization. Special effects were more than impressive and - perhaps as a nod to Bobbysocks - a pink (red) carpet. Nice touch. Generally good British diction from the emcees who were funny at times without being fake (e.g. Erik Solbakken's gags, not to mention Atle Antonsen! I was laughing my head off when I saw him sitting there!). V. g. indeed. I'm impressed.
Let's see how Germany does it next year... Aaaand let's see if we can come up with something else than a ballad. (Mind you, I don't have anything against ballads, it's just that from a competitive p.o.v. they have never really done it for us in general. So there. Competitive side right at'cha.)
Anyway, knackered. Tired. Hitting books tomorrow for last day before getting to know topic for oral exam. Gah. I'm not ready for this yet. Give me 2-3 more days to get the topics straight before I get the topic... *drained*
Signing off (-.-),
Elise
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Spreading the word!
Seriously, how cool aren't these guys?!
Another one for good measure...
Not to mention...
And...
Pompadours, shaking hips and pelvises and rockabilly have never had a better comeback than this! Note to self: Must get me a poodle skirt, bobby socks and polka-dotted silk scarf. First and foremost the poodle skirt.
Signing off (doing the twist and mashed potato),
Elise
Another one for good measure...
Not to mention...
And...
Pompadours, shaking hips and pelvises and rockabilly have never had a better comeback than this! Note to self: Must get me a poodle skirt, bobby socks and polka-dotted silk scarf. First and foremost the poodle skirt.
Signing off (doing the twist and mashed potato),
Elise
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Eye and ear candy. Mostly ear.
This is the song I've had in my head the past few days:
I love this sound. And the vid itself is very artsy fartsy. Love the lighting in it.
And for any of you Simpsons fans out there, one of my favorite characters and one of my favorite scenes from the movie:
Will write more once I get more time.
Signing out,
Elise
I love this sound. And the vid itself is very artsy fartsy. Love the lighting in it.
And for any of you Simpsons fans out there, one of my favorite characters and one of my favorite scenes from the movie:
Will write more once I get more time.
Signing out,
Elise
Monday, April 27, 2009
I've got a song stuck in my head.
Recently I've "discovered" the talent prodigy of one of the most genious musicians of all time, Julian Lennon. And you might guess who his father is. You can notice that there's definitely a substantial amount of his father's genes that have been passed on to him.
I just adore this song. The musical quality and the lyrics are just mind-blowing. I love the use of strings and the guitar riff (which is coincidentally (?) reminiscent of those by George Harrison). Just makes the song sound... full. Complete, in a sense. Just has that flavor to it that seems as if it's bombarding you with sound from all directions. And in perfect harmony. Awesome. The vid to it is fitting, but the song in itself is what stands out to me. Just downright beautiful. So turn the volume up to the max, click "play", sit back and enjoy.
Needless to say, he has that Lennony flavor to his voice, though he definitely has his own style as well when you listen to some of his other songs. A little bit more mainstream than his half-brother Sean (who has chosen a more borderline-experimental-Tim Burton/Danny Elfman-esque style - at least judging by the one song I've heard from him), but still very catchy. Have a listen to "Dead Meat" and you'll know what I mean.
Apparently Julian is going to release another album soon after having had an endlessly long hiatus, and based on this song (and others by him) I'm seriously considering buying it. Or maybe just go for his VH1 collection first. Hm. We'll see.
Meanwhile, I have hardly done anything today besides working out and doing my translation assignment for tomorrow. I just haven't really had the energy for some reason. And they say working out is supposed to give you more energy. Bah. Poppycock. (Which is one of the stranger words in the English language, mind you. You might imagine why...)
Anywho, enough chitchat and nonsense from my part. I should get some things done before it's too late. Not sure if I wanna.
Signing off (blahly),
Elise
I just adore this song. The musical quality and the lyrics are just mind-blowing. I love the use of strings and the guitar riff (which is coincidentally (?) reminiscent of those by George Harrison). Just makes the song sound... full. Complete, in a sense. Just has that flavor to it that seems as if it's bombarding you with sound from all directions. And in perfect harmony. Awesome. The vid to it is fitting, but the song in itself is what stands out to me. Just downright beautiful. So turn the volume up to the max, click "play", sit back and enjoy.
Needless to say, he has that Lennony flavor to his voice, though he definitely has his own style as well when you listen to some of his other songs. A little bit more mainstream than his half-brother Sean (who has chosen a more borderline-experimental-Tim Burton/Danny Elfman-esque style - at least judging by the one song I've heard from him), but still very catchy. Have a listen to "Dead Meat" and you'll know what I mean.
Apparently Julian is going to release another album soon after having had an endlessly long hiatus, and based on this song (and others by him) I'm seriously considering buying it. Or maybe just go for his VH1 collection first. Hm. We'll see.
Meanwhile, I have hardly done anything today besides working out and doing my translation assignment for tomorrow. I just haven't really had the energy for some reason. And they say working out is supposed to give you more energy. Bah. Poppycock. (Which is one of the stranger words in the English language, mind you. You might imagine why...)
Anywho, enough chitchat and nonsense from my part. I should get some things done before it's too late. Not sure if I wanna.
Signing off (blahly),
Elise
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Stolen...
... From Eva:
* * * * * *
Put your mp3-player on shuffle and fill out the gaps.. NO CHEATING!! :D
1. How does the world see me? - "F.B.I." by the Shadows. (*lol* My secret undercover job has been identified. Busted. Darn.)
2. Will I have a happy life? - "Back in Black" by L8R. (I take that as a... yes...? With attitude and a bad Norwenglish accent (the Norwenglish accent is pretty bad in itself)? Although it being a cover of the original, my life will perhaps be filled with synths and lousy keyboard effects? Hm. I need to think this one over a little more...)
3. What do my friends really think of me? - "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard. (Um... Beneath that sweet and goodie-two-shoes exterior there's either a steaming hot mama or a groupie wannabe? Yeah. That has to be it. *rofl*)
4. Do people secretly lust after me? - "Cry to Me" by Solomon Burke. (Perhaps not... They may just seek me for consolation and a shoulder to cry on.)
5. How can I make myself happy? - "I Got My Mind Set on You" by George Harrison. (*raw laughter* Get myself a boyfriend? Find the One? Act desperate? Bribe? (cf. "But it's gonna take money, a whole lot of precious money, it's gonna take plenty of money, to do it right, child..."))
6. What should I do with my life? - "Civilization (Bongo, Bongo, Bongo)" by the Andrews Sisters and Danny Kaye. (There we go, leave civilization and a budding teaching career and lead my life primitively in the jungle!!!)
7. Will I ever have children? - "Bring Back That Leroy Brown" by Queen. (Come again? õ.O)
8. What is some good advice for me? - "My Generation" by the Who. (*giggle* Stay young? Be more in touch with contemporary impulses?)
9. How will I be remembered? - "Wind of Change" by Scorpions. (Yup, I'll have left my mark and heralded a new era!)
10. What is my signature dancing song? - "Ave Maria" by Josh Groban. (Hardly!!! Not really a dancing song per se. Furthermore, I do not know how to dance, so maybe there's a link to that in the song choice.)
11. What do I think my current theme song is? - "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by the Proclaimers. (THIS COULDN'T BE ANY TRUER THAN THAT!!!)
12. What does everyone else think my current theme song is? - "Life Itself" by Bruce Springsteen. (Don't know if there are that many of my peers who know about this song. A little too boring for me to be a theme song - unless I'm in a very very melancholy mood, which I'm not at the moment.)
13. What song will play at my funeral? - "Spinning Wheels" by Blood, Sweat and Tears. (Hm, I guess that kinda taps into the philosophic side of mine as well as my inclination for listening to groovy oldies, but other than that... nah.)
14. What type of men/women do you like? - "Build Me Up, Buttercup" by Busted and McFly. (Emotional, yet edgy; contemporary, yet not exactly loathing the past either; direct and... mooshy. *aww* Yeah, sure, that could do. And let's not forget the uniform, eh?)
15. What is my day going to be like? - "Just a Girl" by No Doubt. (Oh yes. Lots of attitude, yet in tune with my feminine side. Very "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion". Kewl.)
16. Will be my wedding song? - "Power to All Our Friends" by Cliff Richard. (Very hippie-esque and with a firm beat, but not exactly the song I want Dad to lead me down the aisle by...)
17. Will be the last words coming from my mouth? - "Walking on Thin Ice" by Yoko Ono. (Ok...?)
18. Will be the first thing I say to my unknown love to come? - "Un Giorno per Noi" by Josh Groban. (*awww* Although I hope it won't be a starcrossed love as it was in the case of Romeo and Juliet...)
19. Will be the song I sing to my lover on our first date? - "Ave Maria" by N. N. (This is the instrumental version, so if worst comes to worst, I'll at least hum it. However, unless he's a firm Catholic or a die-hard fan of classical music, he might just think I'm weird.)
20. Will be the song my lover sing to me? - "Together Forever" by Rick Astley. (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! This is going to be interesting!!!)
21. How will my life end? - "Homeward Bound" by Simon & Garfunkel. (How fitting is that?! Comin' home to my Lord!)
22. Will I be reborn? - "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright" by Simon & Garfunkel. (Huh? Either reborn as a guy or as an architect? Or both? I need to think through this one...)
23. Will be my heartbroken song? - "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" by the Beatles. (Oh yeah! The perfect pick-up song! "Life goes on, RAH! La-la-la-la-life goes on!")
* * * * * *
Not quite bad this one!
Signing off ("Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, life goes on, RAH! La-la-la-la-life goes on!"),
Elise
* * * * * *
Put your mp3-player on shuffle and fill out the gaps.. NO CHEATING!! :D
1. How does the world see me? - "F.B.I." by the Shadows. (*lol* My secret undercover job has been identified. Busted. Darn.)
2. Will I have a happy life? - "Back in Black" by L8R. (I take that as a... yes...? With attitude and a bad Norwenglish accent (the Norwenglish accent is pretty bad in itself)? Although it being a cover of the original, my life will perhaps be filled with synths and lousy keyboard effects? Hm. I need to think this one over a little more...)
3. What do my friends really think of me? - "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard. (Um... Beneath that sweet and goodie-two-shoes exterior there's either a steaming hot mama or a groupie wannabe? Yeah. That has to be it. *rofl*)
4. Do people secretly lust after me? - "Cry to Me" by Solomon Burke. (Perhaps not... They may just seek me for consolation and a shoulder to cry on.)
5. How can I make myself happy? - "I Got My Mind Set on You" by George Harrison. (*raw laughter* Get myself a boyfriend? Find the One? Act desperate? Bribe? (cf. "But it's gonna take money, a whole lot of precious money, it's gonna take plenty of money, to do it right, child..."))
6. What should I do with my life? - "Civilization (Bongo, Bongo, Bongo)" by the Andrews Sisters and Danny Kaye. (There we go, leave civilization and a budding teaching career and lead my life primitively in the jungle!!!)
7. Will I ever have children? - "Bring Back That Leroy Brown" by Queen. (Come again? õ.O)
8. What is some good advice for me? - "My Generation" by the Who. (*giggle* Stay young? Be more in touch with contemporary impulses?)
9. How will I be remembered? - "Wind of Change" by Scorpions. (Yup, I'll have left my mark and heralded a new era!)
10. What is my signature dancing song? - "Ave Maria" by Josh Groban. (Hardly!!! Not really a dancing song per se. Furthermore, I do not know how to dance, so maybe there's a link to that in the song choice.)
11. What do I think my current theme song is? - "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by the Proclaimers. (THIS COULDN'T BE ANY TRUER THAN THAT!!!)
12. What does everyone else think my current theme song is? - "Life Itself" by Bruce Springsteen. (Don't know if there are that many of my peers who know about this song. A little too boring for me to be a theme song - unless I'm in a very very melancholy mood, which I'm not at the moment.)
13. What song will play at my funeral? - "Spinning Wheels" by Blood, Sweat and Tears. (Hm, I guess that kinda taps into the philosophic side of mine as well as my inclination for listening to groovy oldies, but other than that... nah.)
14. What type of men/women do you like? - "Build Me Up, Buttercup" by Busted and McFly. (Emotional, yet edgy; contemporary, yet not exactly loathing the past either; direct and... mooshy. *aww* Yeah, sure, that could do. And let's not forget the uniform, eh?)
15. What is my day going to be like? - "Just a Girl" by No Doubt. (Oh yes. Lots of attitude, yet in tune with my feminine side. Very "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion". Kewl.)
16. Will be my wedding song? - "Power to All Our Friends" by Cliff Richard. (Very hippie-esque and with a firm beat, but not exactly the song I want Dad to lead me down the aisle by...)
17. Will be the last words coming from my mouth? - "Walking on Thin Ice" by Yoko Ono. (Ok...?)
18. Will be the first thing I say to my unknown love to come? - "Un Giorno per Noi" by Josh Groban. (*awww* Although I hope it won't be a starcrossed love as it was in the case of Romeo and Juliet...)
19. Will be the song I sing to my lover on our first date? - "Ave Maria" by N. N. (This is the instrumental version, so if worst comes to worst, I'll at least hum it. However, unless he's a firm Catholic or a die-hard fan of classical music, he might just think I'm weird.)
20. Will be the song my lover sing to me? - "Together Forever" by Rick Astley. (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! This is going to be interesting!!!)
21. How will my life end? - "Homeward Bound" by Simon & Garfunkel. (How fitting is that?! Comin' home to my Lord!)
22. Will I be reborn? - "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright" by Simon & Garfunkel. (Huh? Either reborn as a guy or as an architect? Or both? I need to think through this one...)
23. Will be my heartbroken song? - "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" by the Beatles. (Oh yeah! The perfect pick-up song! "Life goes on, RAH! La-la-la-la-life goes on!")
* * * * * *
Not quite bad this one!
Signing off ("Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, life goes on, RAH! La-la-la-la-life goes on!"),
Elise
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