:: lifting up a dreamer ::

5 years ago this week i was in california, on tour with REM. it was a dream (that i've never even thought to dream) come true. it was the perfect introduction to california - los angeles, santa barbara, berkeley and irvine. the weather was amazing in each city. (a little cold for my liking near the bay, but it complemented the overall experience.) the company was entertaining (in so many ways) and our talented southern hosts were hospitable and incredible.

there is a certain kind of night that takes me back to the rock-lined bowl in the hills of santa barbara. the night that it all hit me. the night that i took in my fortune, the music, the lights and the weight of it all like never before. we were on the eve of an election. the message was clear. the response was mixed. the inspiration heavy and i carried it with me. 5 years later, on certain special nights, i still carry it with me.


i'm loving the following pieces by alvin diec. cheerful, but not frilly. clean. uncluttered. quirky. there's a "retro" vibe about them. well, except for the fact that they echo the oh-so-current fail whale.

alvindiec.com

"lifting up a dreamer" (the fail whale) by yiying lu
yiyinglu.com

:: for my mom, obviously. but for my dad, mostly ::

lyrics to the entire song:
pray God you can cope
i'll stand outside
this woman's work
this woman's world
ooh, it's hard on the man
now his part is over
now starts the craft
of the Father

i know you've got a little life in you yet
i know you've got a lot of strength left
i know you've got a little life in you yet
i know you've got a lot of strength left

i should be crying but i just can't let it show
i should be hoping but i can't stop thinking
of all the things we should've said that i never said
and all the things we should've done that we never did
all the things we should have given but i didn't
oh, darling, make it go
make it go away

give me these moments
give them back to me
give me that little kiss
give me your

i know you've got a little life in you yet
give me your hand, babe
i know you've got a lot of strength left
give me that pretty hand
i know you've got a little life in you yet
ooh, show me you understand
i know you've got a lot of strength left
my loved child
i know you've got a little life in you yet
whatever you need
i know you've got a lot of strength left
give me your hand
i know you've got a little life in you yet
give me your hand
i know you've got a lot of strength left

i should be crying but i just can't let it go
i should be hoping but i can't stop thinking
of all the things we should've said that i never said
all the things we should've done that we never did
all the things that you wanted from me
all the things that you needed from me
all the things i should've given but i didn't
oh, darling, make it go
make it go away
just make it go away

"this woman's work" by kate bush (sung by maxwell)