Franti v Mayer

Last night I was at a concert headlined by John Mayer, who funnily enough doesn't have one song that I could name, so why did I go to? I went because of the special guest, Michael Franti and his band Spearhead, a group that J introduced me to during the first month of our relationship. If you haven't heard anything of their's before, check this out, Say Hey (I Love you) - not my favourite song of theirs, but right now it's their most well known:



I'd seen Spearhead twice before, both at intimate venues, which made me wary of going to see him at an 18,000 seat hockey arena. And both times I had seen him had also been with J and I had bought these tickets for her to go with me, but given our situation I figured that we probably weren't ready to get together for an event like that yet. I prefer smaller venues for live music as the atmosphere is always much better; however Franti's a different type of performer. I've never seen anyone in a venue that big get so involved with the crowd. Spearhead played for an hour and Franti spent maybe 20 minutes of that time on stage. The rest of the time he was running through the crowd giving high fives....skipping down the aisles....playing his guitar in the crowd....and for his last song he brought 40 people up on stage to sing and dance with him. If it were played in a smaller venue the energy he created would've blown the roof off the place. All I can say about his performance is unbelievable!!! I really felt bad for John Mayer, because I didn't think there was any way that he was going to be able to compete with Franti's performance....and of course he didn't. If you ever get the chance to see Spearhead in concert, whatever the venue, run don't walk....he's always fantastic!!

Lack of Color

One of the great things about shuffling your iPod is coming across songs that you have that you haven't heard for a while. This morning one of these songs, A Lack of Color by Death Cab for Cutie, really spoke to me. The words made me think of J and my break-up.....Enjoy....

..Whiskey keeps me warmer than sunshine...

A couple of people I know made a video for a competition they've entered for Aveda Light products, if you're interested you can check out their video here. I don't do shameless plugs, but their video did bring a song to my attention that has a fantastic beat, the full version is below.

Aloe Blacc - I Need a Dollar



Maybe it's because I've been drinking a little bit too much lately, but I really like the line "...wine is good to me it helps me pass the time, and my good old buddy whiskey keeps me warmer than sunshine...." Anyways, enjoy the song.

Reindeer Section

Reindeer Section - Your Sweet Voice



Listening to Gary Lightbody's Reindeer Section after JAG recommended it to me. This is one song that wasn't recommended but so far I think it's my favourite and really makes me think of and miss J....apparently I love to torture myself.

Empty Home

Last night was the first night that I was really home by myself all night since J left....first time grocery shopping.....first time doing the laundry....washing the bed sheets. Needless to say it was a tough night, especially when most of the clothes in the laundry were her tank tops left clean in the basket. How do I cope? A bottle of Chianti and a new playlist that I listened to all last night and am continuing to do so this morning:

Oh! - Micky Green
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
You Could be Happy - Snow Patrol
Make This go on Forever - Snow Patrol
Open Your Eyes - Snow Patrol
Chocolate - Snow Patrol
Run - Snow Patrol
Warning Sign - Coldplay
Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap
Reason Why - Rachael Yamagata
Mad World - Donnie Darko Soundtrack
So Here We Are - Bloc Party
To Be Alone with you - Sufjan Stevens
Family Tree - Dear Science
Falling Slowly - The Frames

I don't want our home to no longer smell like J, already walking into our 2nd bedroom that doubled as her study it smells musty like it hasn't been lived in. It lacks the sweet smell of Chloe that it once carried; how I miss its lingering scent in our home....miss the fragrance of her neck.....her smell. It's amazing what you miss when you have lost, things you never thought you'd miss or didn't even know were there. Every morning I wake up with sadness because I used to get a hug from J before I left for work, no matter what state of sleep she was in.....almost 5 years of unbroken morning hugs; that's hard to get over.

You Could be Happy by Snow Patrol



Thank-you to a reader who turned me on to this song. I'd never heard it before and I can now agree that a box of tissues is needed; definitely fits my mood of late.

Music

Someone turned me on to this song the other day and I can't seem to stop listening to it.... Falling Slowly by the Frames, which won an Oscar for best song in 2008:



Sometimes I wonder why we listen to sad and depressing music when you're feeling that way. It just feeds the fire, but I guess we are all gluttons for punishment. 2 other songs I can't seem to stop listening to when I'm feeling that way is Run by Snow Patrol and Mad World from the Donnie Darko soundtrack.

Do you ever have one of those days were your brain is mush? Today is one of those days.....anyone who believes studying makes the brain sharper is full of shit!! Thankfully it culminates in a 4-hour exam tomorrow (JOY!!) and then much needed rest and liquor.

Once I recover I'll write some more, but until then something for your enjoyment:

The Black Keys collaborations with rappers for their new album, simply amazing.

http://www.blakroc.com/index_artists.html