Seven times down
Eight times up
You get lost awhile
And you feel like giving up
Watching it all go to hell
Living underneath a bad spell
These are the days in between
Blue Rodeo – The Days in Between
This is an archival post of sorts – taken from an old post on my Myspace blog that I had for about 4 years leading up to the launch of this blog. I’m starting to back date and transfer over some of the more important posts (to me) as I think of them. This is one though, that I thought would be worthy to put up here in the present, because there are some thoughts that might be common sense to some, and good things to realize for the rest. I wrote about this in May of last year.
Now about the song lyrics quoted above. Blue Rodeo are one of my absolute favorite bands. Five Days in July is the favorite album of many, and on the other side, I would say that The Days in Between is one of their most underrated albums. It starts with the album cover, which is one of those album covers that takes you on a visual trip, and as the CD starts to play, you begin to drift off somewhere completely different musically.
The title track has always been a favorite, and definitely fit my life in November of 2006 when I was “watching it all go to hell.” This Myspace post came after that as I was focusing on leaving the past behind, and getting back to the good. 2007 was all about that, a year that was spent in rediscovery, reconnecting with friends, and making new friends. Fully inspired by Blue Rodeo, the days of 2007 were definitely “the days in between.”
2008 has been filled with more new friends, and new inspirations from many different sources, including this blog, and you guys, the readers of this blog!
p.s. – here’s one more taste from The Days in Between album, one that Jim Cuddy takes the lead on (and the album opener,) “Cinema Song.” (download)
7 Guidelines for a Better Present and Future
My rock and roll comrade TDavid contributes a lot of literary good to my world on a daily basis covering technology and lots more. Often, he hits home with a good post about life, and while I am still crafting my answer to his question, I think the following is worth reading. Here is an excerpt:
If you want to make a positive future for yourself than the following are my 7 guidelines to a better present and future and you don’t need to buy some book or DVD. In fact, I’d say most good advice you receive in life will come from family, friends or research and exploration you conduct yourself, not something a stranger tells you (and if I’m a stranger to you then yes, that applies). I like the number 7, it’s a positive number. If you get three sevens in Vegas it usually means you win something.
1. Put family first, friends second, yourself third, strangers last
2. Work hard, play hard
3. Learn something new every day
4. Don’t hold onto stress, release it
5. Eat right, exercise more
6. Make choices in life that won’t ruin a good night’s sleep or make you wary of looking at the reflection in the mirror
7. Smile, laugh, love, sing (yes, even off key), pray and cry as these are all vital release points
—
My original reply from May of 2007
Excellent points, and #6 is all about where my head is at at the present moment. I made a choice that at the end of the day, I spent some time awake last night, not happy with myself for the choice that I had made.
And now, I want to put the situation behind me 🙂
I could spend some more time on the seven points…but I might save that for a future post, or for a reply on the original site.
Onward to the events of today. Had lunch with a couple of old friends, one of whom I had not talked to in years………and it was so great to catch up finally. It’s amazing, some of us have had turbulent times “growing up” in the real world over the past 10 years, and it really seems like so many people in my world are finally finding their place, and the peace in this world that they have been searching for…..and that’s pretty cool.
I think that’s one of many things that I live for – the unexpected, whatever the definition might be. There’s been a lot of unexpected stuff in recent months, and much of it has fallen into category “good.” I’m continually amazed by the awesome people that I am lucky enough to know in this world, and happy to come back in contact with those that I thought to be lost. Friends of mine seem to possess that unique quality to make that connection….whether it has been a day since we have talked….or 10 years. I’m glad to know such a good group of folks that “get me.”
Ya’ll rule….thanks for that….
end of original reply from May 2007
Relevant links:
Blue Rodeo official website
Things That…Make You Go Hmm
Blue Rodeo – Head over Heels (live in Atlanta, 2007)
A great live rendition of a fan favorite from Five Days in July.