Over the summer I got into rock climbing. Its a fun sport, challenging physically and mentally. I freaked out a little bit the first time Eric lowered me from the top of my first route. It was scary, trusting only a little bit of nylon stitched together and a rope to keep me from falling 50 feet to the ground. Its still scary every once in a while. I still get a little thrill when I fall off the wall.
But you get used to it. You learn to trust your equipment and your belayer. You get used to double checking everything: whether your caribiner is locked, if your knot is tied right, if your harness is double-backed on all the buckles like its supposed to be. Because if you don't, well, you could die. So you back everything up, at least twice, more if you can. But shit still happens.
A friend of mine died ice climbing yesterday. He was one of the most experienced climbers I knew. He was even professional for a while. He knew what he was doing. He knew how to make climbing as safe as it can be. And he did too. Chris Hunnicutt was not a sloppy climber. But he was ice climbing and something happened and he fell and he died.
Its just shitty to think about.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
A Tribute
Andy has inspired me. Here are my top ten favorite songs in no particular order:
1. A Case of You - Joni Mitchell
One of the simplest, prettiest songs ever written, and I first heard it when I was 'frightened by the devil, but drawn to those ones that ain't afraid.' It was perfect for that time in my life, and it still resonates. When I hear it, I remember that time and tend to feel as weary as Joni Mitchell sounds. Still a favorite.
2. Adagio for Strings - Samuel Barber
The only song to consistently move me to tears. Enough said.
3. Sarah Mclachlan - Do What You Have to Do
I love Sarah Mclachlan. She's probably my favorite musician ever. This song was and still is a favorite. I still don't quite know what the lyrics mean, "created you a monster, broken by the rule of love..." and at points I'm not sure I even understand them. But lyrics have never meant that much to me and ethos of this song speaks to me more than any words ever did.
4. Dancing Queen - ABBA
This is why certain members of my circle of friends think me devoid of musical taste, but damn, how can you not like this song?? Its purely fluff, but every time I hear those strings and that piano, I am the Dancing Queen.
5. I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt
One of the saddest songs ever written, and the one that got me through my angsty years in high school. What's worse than pretended love? Or the helplessness that goes along with understanding that "I can't make your heart feel something it won't"? Worst feeling ever. And this song nails it on the head.
6. Under African Skies - Paul Simon feat. Linda Ronstadt
Is there a song that does harmony better than this one?? I don't think so. Its just gorgeous. And its got a good beat. And good lyrics. And I think its awesome
7. Claire de Lune - Claude Debussy
Its a song called "Moonlight" and that's how it feels to listen to it and to play it. Like you're playing slivery fingers of white light.
8. Smooth Sailing - Ella Fitzgerald
A song that makes me want to get up and dance and/or sing along every time I hear it. I sing this song in the shower, I hum it under my breath at work and its what I tap my feet to when I'm doing homework. I think the fact that there are no lyrics makes it that much better for me. Ella Fitzgerald doesn't need words to groove.
9. Je Te Veux - Erik Satie
Just a litling little waltz with simple lyrics ("I want you"), but infectious. I want to sing it, I want to listen to it, and I want to dance to it.
10. Just Like a Dream - The Cure
The song that proves that the Cure are not a bunch of goth depressos. How can you write this song, how can you even listen to it without feeling happy and dreamy? Even if the lyrics are depressing (which they're not in this case), the synthesizers at the beginning make this one of the best dance tunes ever, and (sorry gothy Cure fans) not a sad one.
The honorable mention list is too long to even fathom. Thanks for the fun idea Andy!
1. A Case of You - Joni Mitchell
One of the simplest, prettiest songs ever written, and I first heard it when I was 'frightened by the devil, but drawn to those ones that ain't afraid.' It was perfect for that time in my life, and it still resonates. When I hear it, I remember that time and tend to feel as weary as Joni Mitchell sounds. Still a favorite.
2. Adagio for Strings - Samuel Barber
The only song to consistently move me to tears. Enough said.
3. Sarah Mclachlan - Do What You Have to Do
I love Sarah Mclachlan. She's probably my favorite musician ever. This song was and still is a favorite. I still don't quite know what the lyrics mean, "created you a monster, broken by the rule of love..." and at points I'm not sure I even understand them. But lyrics have never meant that much to me and ethos of this song speaks to me more than any words ever did.
4. Dancing Queen - ABBA
This is why certain members of my circle of friends think me devoid of musical taste, but damn, how can you not like this song?? Its purely fluff, but every time I hear those strings and that piano, I am the Dancing Queen.
5. I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt
One of the saddest songs ever written, and the one that got me through my angsty years in high school. What's worse than pretended love? Or the helplessness that goes along with understanding that "I can't make your heart feel something it won't"? Worst feeling ever. And this song nails it on the head.
6. Under African Skies - Paul Simon feat. Linda Ronstadt
Is there a song that does harmony better than this one?? I don't think so. Its just gorgeous. And its got a good beat. And good lyrics. And I think its awesome
7. Claire de Lune - Claude Debussy
Its a song called "Moonlight" and that's how it feels to listen to it and to play it. Like you're playing slivery fingers of white light.
8. Smooth Sailing - Ella Fitzgerald
A song that makes me want to get up and dance and/or sing along every time I hear it. I sing this song in the shower, I hum it under my breath at work and its what I tap my feet to when I'm doing homework. I think the fact that there are no lyrics makes it that much better for me. Ella Fitzgerald doesn't need words to groove.
9. Je Te Veux - Erik Satie
Just a litling little waltz with simple lyrics ("I want you"), but infectious. I want to sing it, I want to listen to it, and I want to dance to it.
10. Just Like a Dream - The Cure
The song that proves that the Cure are not a bunch of goth depressos. How can you write this song, how can you even listen to it without feeling happy and dreamy? Even if the lyrics are depressing (which they're not in this case), the synthesizers at the beginning make this one of the best dance tunes ever, and (sorry gothy Cure fans) not a sad one.
The honorable mention list is too long to even fathom. Thanks for the fun idea Andy!
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