Loopy-Loopy dialogue!

Yes, folks, I know it's been way too long since my last Loopy-Loopy dialogue... or since I wrote anything except long boring things. Sorry!

Me: I can't believe you're going to a music festival. It's so hot* out there, I wouldn't go see—name my favorite band!—I don't care who it is, I wouldn't go out there to see them.

Loopy: U2.

Me: Nope.

Loopy: Bonnie Raitt.

Me: Nope. I wouldn't go out for... for...

Loopy: Stevie Ray Vaughn back from the dead!

Me: Nope... Amy Ray. Amy Ray's the only one I'd stand out in this heat to hear. If Stevie Ray came back from the dead I'd watch it on TV.

Loopy: (laughing and shaking her head)

Me: (...pause...) OK, OK, I'd go hear Stevie Ray back from the dead!

Loopy: You KNOW you would!

Me: I would. (shaking head) But what are you going to hear?

Loopy: Tapes n tapes, baby, Tapes n tapes! [yes, this is the name of a band—some obscure indie band of course!]

Me: Yeah. You're insane.

------------------------
*Yeah, Tucson folks, I know, it's only 90, but if you could feel how utterly oppressively heavy the air is, you wouldn't scoff, Mr/Ms Yesterday-It-Was-110-And-I-Barely-Flinched. :-P

amy ray

oh god we love amy ray.

went to her concert last night. it was soooooooooooooo amazing. amy ray herself seemed amazed and kept commenting, in apparent awe, that the audience was fantastic.

i wonder if she plays for a lot of people who basically just show up to see half the Indigo Girls, and don't really know or care about her solo career - maybe they don't even like the harder-edged, punk-inspired stuff she plays on her own.

well that doesn't describe last night's audience... a relatively small bunch at a relatively small but very cool venue... most, hard core fans, who screamed all the words to all the songs at the top of our lungs.

our beloved Amy loved it, and complimented the singing along repeatedly. and she responded so generously... she rocked out throughout the show, but then during the encore, she really let loose and just blew the roof off. she played an extended version of one of her songs, with solos by every band member, her own solo just so unbelievably stunningly intense and energy-filled and so fuckin sexy. it was mouth-watering and mind-blowing. i don't really know how to even describe it.

i danced, i sang, i waved my arms around, i did my own rocking out... with Loopy of course... we just had such a great time. i almost didn't go... but i'm so glad i did... i was so struck by the fact that we were in the presence of real musical genius, complete greatness - it was just incredible that all this music was coming out of this one woman.

her physical presence is amazing too. she dresses in loose, slightly masculine clothing (loose-ish belted pants, button-down shirt, tie) that i must admit is not in itself attractive... and she is sometimes almost awkward, almost always seems to be containing herself or holding back (which is why the final no-holds-barred-rock-out-solo last night was so amazing!) ..... but despite its subtlety, the way she moves is incredible... a study in contrasts... powerful pounding strength at times... sensual shivers and luscious little butch shimmies at other times... keeping in mind that family members read this, i still have to say that watching her, oh, you so want to get pounded by that amazing energy! and lavished with that luscious sensuality. her sexuality, gender identity, and physicality are all quite unique...

if you haven't ever checked out her solo stuff, i really do recommend it highly.

it was also a really fun time together... as you can see from the photo, Loopy and i just really enjoyed each other as well as the music. what a complete pleasure.

Songs about Obama: Watch/listen now!!!

You have to check these out. I understand there are a ton of Obama songs; I've really enjoyed these. People's excitement about this campaign is just mind-boggling.

Zydeco

"Oui, on peut..." Yes we can, in Cajun French! Sweet and touching, with people dancing in a Cajun bar, looking happy and hopeful. Great line: "Barack Obama, he's the man"

Reggae

A serious earworm but still a very enjoyable song. The lyrics are great.

Mariachi

Para un cambio, vamos todos unidos, con nuestro gran amigo...
As with the other two, I just marvel at people's hope and excitement about this.


Here are a couple more...
Reggaeton: Como se dice, como se llama, Obama, Obama...

Rap: "Hail to the Chief" with a beat box, I love it.

Speech plus music: by will.i.am.... the artist put the "Yes We Can" speech to music. I'm not sure if it's an improvement or not, but this is really a classic speech and always a pleasure to hear it again.

Google "Obama song youtube" and see what you come up with!

"bulldog" mix on my ipod

"Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted
One moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?"

- "Lose Yourself," Eminem


"I get knocked down, but I get up again
you're never gonna keep me down..."
- "Tubthumping," Chumbawumba


"As long as i know how to love
I know I will stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
and I'll survive
I will survive"
- "I will survive," Gloria Gaynor


"They say in Harlan County there are no neutrals there
You'll either be a union man or a thug for J.H. Blair.
Which side are you on?"
- "Which Side Are You On?" Florence Reece (sung by Pete Seeger)


"People people let’s start together let’s do it right now,
People people let’s love one another I know we know how."
- "Migra," Santana


I put this mix on to encourage me and make me feel tough and ready, as I panic about the interview tomorrow and try to get my materials ready for it. (Why isn't "Eye of the Tiger" on here?)

But, as I type the Eminem lyrics, I consider that, from a Buddhist perspective, buying into hope means buying into fear.

The idea that this is "the best job ever," and the desperate hope to land it, just creates the illusion that if I don't get it, it's all over. This isn't really true at all, nor is it the sanest or most helpful approach.

Maybe that's why I put Tracy Chapman's "Heaven's Here on Earth" on this mix.

"We are the spirit the collective conscience
We create the pain and the suffering and the beauty in this world

Heaven's here on earth
In our faith in humankind
In our respect for what is earthly
In our unfaltering belief in peace and love and understanding

Look around
Believe in what you see
The kingdom is at hand
The promised land is at your feet...."

And as the other songs rotate through I realize that all but the Eminem song really do convey a bigger perspective that is as applicable to getting the job as to not getting it.

If I don't get the job, "I will survive," "I get up again," I'm still on the "right" side of the fight, and "the promised land" is still at my feet.

The anxiety drains away as I feel that I will be okay either way. Back to work.