There are many great songs about committing crimes, from Sonny Curtis’s classic “I Fought The Law” to Jane’s Addiction’s “Been Caught Stealing” to Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise”. I thought I’d give one a go and also make it sound over-the-top romantic. A meet-cute in the worst possible way.
Moonlight Entrada
So nice to see you
Under the moonlight
Stop and say hello
Do you happen
To have on your person
Your wallet or jewelry
By now I think you know
That I’ve got the
Methods, the tools, and the inclination
To butter crumpet blow your mind
And you’ll be free
Don’t wait to see
...
How did we get into this situation
In this lovely part of town?
You see I’ve got a thing
Like a fatal condition
The universe is jerking me ‘round
So I’m here raising some funds
In an uncommon manner
So hand it over carefully
And we’ll be free
So joyfully
Serving all the door knobs on the fence
While the blankets try to save their hides again
May I stick this landing that I do descend
I’m wasting my weekend…
Sure as shit I mispronounce the sound
As I work this bowl of punch across my bow
Stars and rainbows oozing out my mealy mouth
I’m wasting my weekend...
Set my glass down
Stop.
Take a breath
And look around
I’m the queen of this house now!
Get down
Take me down
Starting in 6th grade and up until the winter of 7th, I was blossoming into my own version of Red Panda, in that a vague hint of a mustache appeared like a looming shadow below my nose. For some reason, I was not allowed to shave this monstrosity off, and so by existing in middle school, I casually collected the loveably delightful nickname “Wolfboy”. I was not doing good in 7th grade.
A few years ago we took a trip to LA and ended up in Venice Beach for a bit. There was a very entertaining hip hop dance troop busking. As adequate as they were at break dancing, they really shone when it came to hustling. The MC kept promising some elaborate trick that never really materialized. They were fun though, and I’m glad that I recorded the clip you hear at the beginning of this song. I’m extra thrilled that it seemed to line-up so well!
You can hear the announcer refer to “J-Wolf”. My name starts with a “J” and as my 7th grade nickname was “Wolfboy”…
I’ve not been feeling great this week, so I chalk it up as a minor miracle that “J-Wolf” has been able to pull this one off.
Ode To Slumber
I’ve got a lot things to do
But I’m short on summertime
Gotta wanna have a thing to say
But, I’m short on the supply
I just wanna lay me down
I don’t wanna let you down
Here’s a blanket for my feet today
And a pillow for my head
I’m reaching for my dreams today
They’re the ones inside my bed
I just wanna lay me down
I don’t wanna let you down
Inside I’m
All neon sound
I just wanna lay me down
I don’t wanna let you down
We just started watching this show called Severance on Apple TV. It’s great! It’s directed by Ben Stiller, and you’ll recognize Adam Scott, John Turturro, Christopher Walken. It takes the idea of work/life balance to a horrific Charlie Kaufmann meets Stanley Kubrick extreme. But I digress. I’m sure at one time or another we’ve all experienced a longing to get away. I’ve been on a Portugal kick for a minute.
This song is in the tradition of Weezer’s “Holiday”, Fountains of Wayne’s “Sick Day”, or The Cardigans “Daddy’s Car” so we know what this is about. I recall putting the chorus guitar and vocal down on a voice memo after waking one morning, it sounds familiar and I’m sure there are at least a dozen songs that have a similar progression. It’s fun.
I didn’t really know how this one would turn out, but I’m happy with how it turned out. Listening back to the past 9-ish songs, it seems like I was in 60’s/70’s land. This one has 90’s kid all over it. Perhaps eventually there will be a weekly song that sounds like it comes from this century?
Here’s to getting away…
The Incredible Wanderlust
Share this far and wide!
I’ve seen you sighing, crying, nodding off
Inside your cubicle
Gazing at jpgs of the coastline
As you work your cuticles
The faulty laser jet copier
Could be on early grave
I’m into pin a coladas
Getting caught in the rain
Take to the highway at the speed of sound
We have an emergency!
I just made a mixtape of the greatest sounds
In recorded history!
There is a diner where the milkshakes
Taste like a miracle
Put in your two week notice
Let’s get physical
Let’s take off during your lunch break
Don’t even clock out
Slamming the top of your steering wheel
As you rock out!
The grass is always greener on the other side
Let’s to go see what We can find!
Faces become meaner if you stay inside
Leave behind your foolish pride
Take to the highway at the speed of sound
We have an emergency!
I just made a mixtape of the greatest sounds
In recorded history!
You could jet to Brazil
Take a sleeping pill
And you’re on your way
You could rocket to Spain
Siesta on the beach
And forget all your pain
You could just stick around
Put on some lipstick
And a frame on your frown
You should just pack all in
Go to your apartment
And just do it again
I’m just blowing off some steam on this one. People are frustrating ya know? But sometimes they can also surprise you.
One morning I took the train up to Santa Fe for work. I like to sit in the top deck and occasionally take in the sights while I catch up on things. That particular morning the train was unusually packed. I think the state legislature was in session. An actual cowboy looking fella got my attention and asked if he could sit with me. Which I obliged.
Upon first impression I figured his guy would want to keep to himself. He seemed a little nervous. I just kept to my work. As soon as we got to Santo Domingo Pueblo he started talking about how many friends he has at the different Pueblos and how much he loves attending various feast days. He told me that he lived in the east mountains and has a ranch. He was concerned about some gun control legislation that was going to be taken up that day, which is why he was heading north that day.
When it comes to guns, he and I were diametrically opposed in our views. But, I found a way to communicate my concerns and try propose some ways that folks can take some responsibility for their guns should they choose to have them. We didn’t agree, but we had a good healthy discussion and were able to gain some mutual understanding.
Sitting there, face to face, just two people on train, I think we mostly enjoyed our chat. He actually really seemed like a sweet guy.
It’s pretty clear that our online personas can bring out the worst in one another, but I think if we just sat down and spent time with each other – no matter how different we might appear to be – we’d find commonality and hopefully connection. I think that’s what we really crave, but in these times, we’ve forgotten how to do it.
There are folks who might be hopeless in this regard. Some people take up knitting or pottery as a hobby, and others choose hate as a way to pass the time. This song is for those folks.
Dunce Cap Mask Brigade
Not fit to run but you can hide
Behind a browser ten tabs wide
You’ve got your freedoms
And you’re flag!
Stations of the cross rifle bag
You are a card carrying member
Of the dunce cap hood brigade
Your style is 80 years too late
Never met a person you can’t hate
Carpet of hair upon your chest
Negative score on your IQ test
You are a card carrying member
Of the dunce cap hood brigade
You can’t help but fail
‘Cause you’ve got a hammer
And everything looks like a nail
