Tuesday Musings # 42

I saw a rainbow this morning as I drove to work. The rainbow, as a symbol, means a lot to me. I don't think about the legend of the pot of gold, or that a leprechaun will be waiting there to greet me. The symbol is of hope. In recent years members of the gay community have used the rainbow to symbolize something for them, I prefer to think of it as a gift from God as a reminder of His promise. That promise is that He will never flood the earth again.

There is a lot of evil in the world. and if you don't believe in evil, then what do you call Darfur, Sudan, Rwanda, Northern Ireland, Slavery and so on? It's not just bad decisions, I do not believe that we are inherently good, I believe that daily I have to choose to do what is right as I struggle with my inner darkness.

A favourite musician of mine paraphrased Saint Paul in the following way:

the very things I hate, I end up doing

the things I want to do, I just don't do

Why is there such a battle going on between doing what is good (read right) and what I want (read wrong). I have no plans to do anything that would either break the ten commandments or even any of current societal laws, I just know that within my hearts resides the possibility to do wrong.

And then I see a rainbow. There is hope because with the recognition of my inner evil, comes the hope of redemption. I believe that there is no one beyond redemption, including myself, because we all have fallen short of perfection, therefore we all can come to the place of reconciliation. It's that simple, it's just a choice as to whether or not I choose to live in the darkness of my evil or see the beauty and hope of the rainbow and live in the light.

Happy Tuesday everyone

Obscure lyric for the week of June 29/09

Well the last week of June is here and summer music is playing everywhere. I had a great weekend, Jays game with Josh on Friday night, family gathering on Saturday and then rested yesterday after church, what a great time.

I am continuing on my journey of summer music and this week because of the Canada day (I love Canada) I have chosen a relatively easy Canadian summer song. I hope you like it and I hope to hear from some of you that you know and like this song. I was thinking about using Kid Rock, but he's not Canadian and his summer song, while fun, is just a rip off of Skynyrd (Sweet Home Alabama), Warren Zevon (Werewolves of London) and probably others. Shrewd yes, rip off, yes.

This weeks Canadian song is the ultimate summer song for those of us who grew up in the '70's. It was written by a great Canadian band and talks about some of those fun (and sometimes illegal) activities that kids do in the summer. I have used this band once before in the blog, how is your memory? The band was conceived in 1968 by a "chance" meeting of two of the early leaders. The band was often compared to a major american band with "similar" sounds. Some of my research for this song was done using "Making Music, Profiles from a Century of Canadian Music", (Thanks Chief).

Here are some lyrics from the end of the song:

and now the sun's about to fade away

I'm feelin better than I've felt for days

you know there's nothin better for your soul

than lyin' in the sun and listenin' to rock and roll

I would like to know:

The name of the song:

The name of the band:

How they got their name:

The bands original name:

Where Howard Shore went to work in 1975:

Have a great week, enjoy and celebrate Canada Day. Below you will find a rarely sung verse of O Canada, it is my favourite verse. Every time I sing O Canada I am caught up in tears as I realize how blessed I am to live, work and enjoy my life in this amazing country. I was not born here, but I am Canadian.

Ruler Supreme, who hearest humble prayer

Hold our dominion within thy loving care

Help us find, O God in thee

A lasting rich reward

As waiting for the better day

We ever stand on Guard

The big reveal for the week of June 22/09

Good morning and how about the first week of summer? Wow it went from spring to mid-summer in a few days, yikes it's been hot. I don't mind, I like the weather and I enjoy the sunshine too.

I can't believe that I had no guesses this week. I had one person comment on the blog that he enjoyed the song, but no guesses? Oh well I better go to some easier songs for next week.

Here are the answers:

The name of the song: In the Summertime

The writer:Ray Dorset

The name of the band: Mungo Jerry

Here is an earlier "video" for the song:

Have a great weekend. Mine started at about 5:30 p.m. on Thursday so I'm already there. I'm heading to Toronto to enjoy the boys of summer with my boy tonight, go Jays!

"Our fear of death is like our fear that summer will be short, but when we have had our swing of pleasure, our fill of fruit and our swelter of heat, we say we have had our day"

My Boy is 22 today

Twenty two years ago today at 7:56 a.m. Josh came into this world and changed our lives forever. Parenting has been an amazing journey. I would not go back to being a non parent for any reason. Today we celebrate Josh's 22nd birthday and there are lots of reasons to celebrate. He has experienced much in his 22 years and for the most part the experiences have been good. Even if the experiences were "bad" he has had opportunities to learn from them, and learn he has. It's in the most difficult times that we realized what(who) is most important to us.

I will call him at 7:56 a.m. and remind him of the words of the midwife (Cathy Smallbone) who stayed overtime after her shift because she wanted to meet this child she had been waiting for all night: "ten fingers ten toes, 7:56 a.m. it's a boy" and all of a sudden, I was a Daddy. What joy, what terror in the same moment as I realized that nothing could ever place a wedge (unless we were golfing) between my son and I.

Tonight we will celebrate with a birthday dinner. Our tradition is that the birthday person gets breakfast in bed and then gets to choose the meal or restaurant for dinner. In typical Josh style, he has chosen to go to the "Charcoal Steakhouse" probably one of the best steakhouses around and the most expensive too. Oh well, it's only once a year and it's my boy's birthday.

Happy 22nd Birthday Josh

Tuesday Musings (#41)

Happy Tuesday everyone.

I usually write this blog before I start work on Tuesdays, but have changed my work hours somewhat, so I do not have time to write before I start at 7:00. The good thing is that I no longer arrive at work at 6:10 a.m. The demands have slowed somewhat and I have decided that whatever gets done in the allotted time is all that gets done, especially since this is the summer.

I was sitting and thinking (a rare duet for me) on fathers day and took stock of the existence that I try to manage and realized that in the midst of typical life trials, I am doing very well. Sure, there are issues of health for one of my children and lack of ongoing employment for both of my children, but I have never been happier. I am in a great place emotionally and spiritually. I think I may have come to that place of contentment in my existence.

One just needs to have a look at the tv ( a rare occurrence for me these days) to see the lack of respect for people around this globe. I live in the best country in the world. I am so thankful that my parents chose this country and that I have been able to raise my family here. Does this mean that I am lucky (if you believe in luck) or blessed (if you believe in being blessed)? From my perspective, I believe in blessings, I also believe that the difficulties that I experience are blessings waiting to be explored.

It's now Tuesday evening, I am tired and thankful. I have peace and safety as well as freedom. What more can one ask for?

Happy Tuesday everyone!  

Obscure lyric for the week of June 22/09

Fathers day 2009 has come and gone. I hope that all you fathers out there had a great day yesterday. I certainly did. I rested, read the paper(s), listened to my favourite tunes and enjoyed time with all my beloved family. All in all it was a great way to start the summer. So here we go with the summer version of the "obscure musical lyric". I am picking my favourite summer songs and some other tunes to enjoy over the next few weeks. 

This weeks song was written and recorded in 1970. Just hearing it feels like summer. It's not that obscure after all. I hope you enjoy it, I certainly did when I heard it again.

Here are some of the lyrics:

we're no threat, people, we're not dirty, we're not mean

we love everybody, but we do as we please

when the weathers fine

we go fishing or go swimming in the sea 

I would like to know the following:

The name of the song:

The writer:

The name of the band:

Have a great week. Summer is definitely here along with the hot weather. Oh my where did spring go?

The big reveal for the week of June 15/09

Good morning music fans. It's Friday and extremely foggy out there. Maybe the sun is hiding behind all that fog this morning. It's certainly time for a break from the rain. I had two guesses this week and they were both correct. Both Brad F and Steve B got all the answers correct, this wasn't one of the tough ones was it?

The answers:

The song: Jungleland.
The artist: The "boss", Bruce Springsteen.
The album: Born to Run
What it means: love, loss, death, racing, tragedy and who knows what all else

Here are two versions of the song, I hope you enjoy them.






Have a great weekend, enjoy whatever you do. If you are a father, enjoy father's day and if your father is alive spend some time with him if possible. For the rest of the summer I am planning on using some of the best summer songs of all time for the "obscure lyric" cause summers here and the time is right for "racin' in the street" and listening to great music of course.

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing and the lawnmower is broken"

Tuesday Musings # 40

Happy Tuesday everyone.

I have been really looking forward to this summer. I have done some different things in order to "sharpen my saw". That term is used by Stephen Covey to express the need for down time to refresh and prepare oneself for more activities. The use of a dull saw explains the need to sharpen it.

After this week I will not work a full week until after September 7/09. It's a different way to use vacation time and since there are several "stats" over the summer it works for me. The changes that I have experienced professionally have been great and extremely busy. I have found that I have a profound need for rest and think that reducing the work week is the best way to do it this summer.

Not much else will change, the blog will continue throughout the summer. I am using a little diversion to achieve a greater accomplishment. It's not the great things that help us, it's the little things that keep us moving forward. In the old testament of the bible, a story is told about a man named Naaman who had leprosy and went to the prophet Elisha for assistance. The prophet told him to bathe 7 times in the Jordan river and he would be healed. After initially refusing because of the ridiculous simplicity of the cure, he went ahead and was cured. In his case the actions required by him to achieve the cure were simple and maybe that's what we all need to do, look for and accomplish the simple solutions to our concerns, not the ones that are more extravagant.

Happy Tuesday everyone

Obscure lyric for the week of June 15/09

Good morning music fans. Monday is here and what an awesome weekend I had. First props go to the Pittsburgh Penguins for vanquishing the evil empire(ok that's probably overstating it a bit) of the Detroit Red Wings. I am so sick of those fans who gave the Pens no chance. Lots of happy people around here and I know of at least one Wing fan who is unhappy. In addition to that I went to the movies with my kids, had an awesome date night (Saturday) with my beloved and then after church Sunday, we took off for the day and enjoyed the sunshine coming through the hole in the roof and a nice lunch by the bay. I'd say I had a wonderful weekend.

While I was sipping something before dinner Saturday evening I was listening to my ipod on my Bose speaker(awesome sound)while relaxing on the deck and this all too familiar tune came on the player. The album came out in 1975 and was from the third album by this singer. I remember hearing in in the late 70's and just loving the ballad feel and the emotions of the song. This one is not obscure at all and I wonder who will be the first to get it correct.

The streets alive as secret debts are paid

contacts made, they vanished unseen

lonely hearted lovers struggle in dark corners

desperate as the night moves on

O what poetry has been written by this talented artist. While the voice may have lost a bit in latter years (don't we all lose our voices as we age?) there is much said about the human condition usually calling the populace to account for something. I really like the older music from this artist although just once I would like to see this person perform live.

I would like to know the following:

The artist:

The song:

The album name:

What the song is about(tough one here, the best answer gets special mention):

Have a great week. No matter what comes, remember to determine the difference between flesh and what's fantasy.

Movies with the kids: careful spoilers re: Star Trek

I went to the movies with my kids yesterday. It's actually the second movie that we have attended together already this summer. We are having a great summer already, in spite of some other complications.

It's great to spend time with them no matter their age. I am learning from them, their faith, the love of life, their apparent lack of prejudice. They certainly don't exhibit overt expressions of racism and I don't think they have ever expressed those tendencies.

And they still like to laugh. We watched "Star Trek" yesterday. It was quite a funny movie. I remember the original with Captain James T. Kirk and all the rest of the crew, always thought uhura was cute, and she is now too. I just realized that she was in "The Curse of the Black Pearl" too. Enough about her, this is about me and my kids going to the movies. 

The movie was a fun ride and clearly just a pretense for making many more with this crew as this was the introduction of the new "crew". The relationship with Kirk and all the crew has their beginnings here and this looks like a new Star Trek that I will watch. I watched it in the '70's but never became a trekkie, it was fun to see how they developed the early relationships with "Spock", Uhura, "Bones", "Scotty", Chekov and Sulu. 

I watched the film and remembered the '70's version and saw how these characters were almost pieces of the original, it's as though they studied the original and took parts of the characters to make them their own. I know someone who did that in real life who has been very successful at his craft. I laughed at parts where no one else laughed, who cares right? I jumped when everyone else jumped and was somewhat confused when I ................ well that's too much to tell isn't it? I really loved the movie and the time with the kids(they are really not kids anymore, but they are mine.

I found this clip on youtube. You can also see it in greater clarity on the official website:

www.startrek.com/startrek/view/index.html

The big reveal for the week of June 8/09

Good morning music fans, and yes Friday is here and that means one thing in my house, date night. I have no idea what we are doing tonight but I know this, it will be just the two of us, oops there goes another song, I bet it's stuck in your head now, go ahead sing it, "just the two of us, we can make it if we try, just the two of us........"

I received no guesses this week. Not even from the younger crowd, c'mon a song from the '90's even. I guess there weren't enough signs pointing you in the right direction, or did I get you off base with the lousy clues on Monday?

OK here are the answers:

The name of the song and album and alternate name: "Happy Nation" in Europe and "The Sign" in North America

The band name: Ace of Base

The basis for the name: "because they were masters of their studio in a basement of a garage"

Country of origin: Sweden

I couldn't bring myself to placing a version of the song on my blog. I'm just not a fan of their music or anything about them. I'll go back to my favorites next week. Have a wonderful weekend, I am planning on some restful activities, hoeing my little garden and pruning my herb garden, maybe using some of my herbs in my cooking. And speaking of a "happy nation" I ran across this quote about happiness, I truly love this quote:

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve"

Tuesday Musings (#39)

Happy Tuesday everyone

They (whoever they are) say that when it rains it pours. It's been raining a lot since yesterday and last night it was pouring again. I wonder where that saying came from? I often associate the saying with a pile of things happening all at the same time or close to it. Usually it refers to negative things (or things that we call negative) not the positive stuff that we like.

We have been inundated with multiple issues lately as a family. It serves to teach us lessons if we wish to listen and learn. When things happen both good and not so good, it's important to find the lesson in the message that is being transmitted. Currently, I am not sure, however, I do know this, no matter what, we will stick together. We will work together and in spite of the circumstances build each other up and not allow the difficulties to be a wedge of any sort or size.

I look at my circumstances and realize that we still have it pretty good. That was brought home to me this morning as I drove to work. I often see a particular person waiting for a bus at a particular bus stop. She always appears well dressed, not fancy, but certainly not in rags. Sometimes she brushes her hair using the window of the store as a mirror. Unfortunately, today I saw something I didn't expect. I watched as she walked past one of the hotels on my drive and picked up what appeared to be cigarette butts.

My troubles/concerns are nothing like that of someone who chooses to get their cigarettes from the ground outside a hotel in Waterloo. Perspective is an amazing teacher. She doesn't know I exist, I know she does and I have the privilege of driving, not waiting for a bus. I can afford my chosen vices, she chooses to take the half finished works of someone else to attend to her vice.

I guess my concerns are not that great after all. I place my trust in someone who knows all and cares about me more than I understand and He sees me when I pick up the butts in my life to feed my addictions and still loves me.

Happy Tuesday everyone

Obscure lyric for the week of June 8/09

Good morning music fans and welcome to the second week of June. We are almost halfway through this year already. I know I have already mentioned this, but doesn't it feel like time is moving even faster as we get older. A day really matters, doesn't it? Those of you chuckling now or laughing out loud hysterically need to get back to work. Enough about work, what a lovely weekend I had. I got stuff done, I rested and I visited with the new family, all in all a good weekend. We went to a busker festival in Dundas which was a great time, maybe a bit too cheeky at times, but lots of fun.

So there I was driving down the road and listening to my radio in the car and a song from this group came on. I recognized the name of the band, but nothing else, yes they are a band. Their music was recorded well after I stopped buying albums and I definitely do not have any of their music anywhere in my house, and no it's not country. The group is not Canadian and this song was released on a disc of the same name in 1993(see Gary, I know that there is music later than the 70's). The album was released more than once and had more than one name based on geography.

ideas by man and only that will live

and over time we've turned to the past

that no man's fit to rule the world alone

a man will die but not his ideas

Interesting lyrics, particularly in today's economy, financial and otherwise. I would like to know the following:

The name of the song and album name (and alternate album name):

The name of the band:

The basis for the name of the band:

What country they originated from:

Have a great week. It looks like a mixed bag of sun and rain, no worries, vacation time is coming soon and that's always something to look forward to isn't it?

The big reveal for the week of June 1/09

Well the first five days of June are almost behind us. Friday is here dragging behind itself the weekend. I am looking forward to this one, I usually look forward to all of them, but on this one we are heading to Dundas to visit some new family members. Due to a tragedy a little over a year ago, a group of us have melded together as a new family. Out of great darkness, a new group of family members have chosen to love and care for each other, pretty amazing given the circumstances. So, we are off to Dundas for the Busker festival and some visiting, and a bit of fun thrown in too.

No guesses this week, which surprised me somewhat. I gave a ton of brutal hints in the post last Monday all about "time". When you see the answers you very well may kick yourself for passing up on this one.

Here are your answers:

The name of the song: Time Passages
The singer and writer: Al Stewart
The album and producer: Time Passages produced by Alan Parsons
The prognosticator: Nostradamus

Enjoy the following live version all the way from Antwerp.



Have a great weekend, looks like sunshine for most of the time. No matter what it does have a good one.

Choose a good reputation over great riches, being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold

Tuesday Musings (#38)

Happy Tuesday everyone

I am writing this on Monday evening as I am on the road all day tomorrow and won't get to write until later tomorrow afternoon or more likely it will be early evening. I'll just set the timer for this thing to post itself on Tuesday morning. 

A simple request was met with a significant indignity recently. What cost is a simple request on behalf of one of my children? I will explain. We were travelling home from a family reunion on Sunday morning when the urge to use the bathroom fell upon my daughter. We have all been there, the middle of the highway between there and here and it hits. 

We got off the highway and found a small "service" station and asked to use the facilities. We were shocked with the response from a not so pleasant woman who asked what we were buying. I said that all I wanted was for my daughter to use the facilities and was summarily dismissed and told that there were no public washrooms for non paying customers.

Where have we gotten to when a young stranger and her father ask for assistance in the middle of the morning and the demand for a fee is placed before a simple comfort such as using the washroom. We were pleasant, polite and are certainly non threatening, yet the request for a fee or at least to purchase something is the currency for common courtesy and decency. Where are the simple kindnesses that are missed in such circumstances? What evil lurked in this woman's life that caused her to be rude and uncaring? I left knowing I will never return to that small town ever again. 

And yet!

Forgiveness has been granted. It must be granted without reservation. In the midst of my feelings of ill will towards this woman, I remembered the gift of forgiveness that has been extended to me while I still defamed that great love. I stand condemned for harbouring ill feelings towards the little town that we stopped in. May I always remember that moment when I am asked for a simple kindness and never have to think twice before I say yes.

In all of life's challenges lie a lesson. Mine was this: listen to the request and where possible go beyond the known parameters to supply gentleness and fulfill the requests of others. Be gentle, kind, loving and always extend a hand to a stranger who needs something, even if it is out of the ordinary. Always a lesson, that's the story of my life.

Happy Tuesday everyone     

Obscure lyric for the week of June 1/09

Wow, it's June already, in approximately 30 days we'll be half way through 2009. Man the time is flying as I get older. They say time flies when you're having fun, I don't know about that, time is just flying if you ask me. And who are "they" anyway?

I hope you had a good weekend. I attended a family reunion of sorts. I tire of and at these things. I could go on, but I won't. Suffice it to say, that once a year is enough.

On to the music, here are some lyrics from a musician that I enjoyed listening to in the 1970's. I had (probably still have the vinyl) a few albums from this artist way back when and enjoyed the thought provoking lyrics and often gentle music. Even if all the prognostications didn't come to fruition the subject of another song was timeless. This album was released in 1978 and the song referenced here is also the album title. This album was the 7th released by the artist.

Well I'm not the kind to live in the past

The years run too short and the days too fast

the things you lean on

are the things that don't last

I would like to know:

The name of the song:

The writer and singer:

The album it is from and the name of the producer:

The name of the prognosticator:

Have a great week. Enjoy each moment as it passes though fleeting as it can be. Enjoy the sun, rain and whatever comes, this moment will never be here again to experience.