Teeny-Tiny Mantras

Today is Patti Smith. Patti Smith - Horses (full studio...

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:20:17 -0400

Today is Patti Smith.

Patti Smith - Horses (full studio version) (by Twentysixbillion)

Kind of stuck on this song. Elvis Costello, “When It...

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:07:34 -0400

Kind of stuck on this song.

Elvis Costello, “When It Sings” (by Iain Halliday)

may my heart always be open to little birds who are the secrets...

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:38:27 -0400

may my heart always be open to little birds
who are the secrets of living… (by ee cummings)

(photo by catene)

Dorothy in Oz + Video footage from the International Space...

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:25:43 -0500

Dorothy in Oz + Video footage from the International Space Station = Kinda sweet

ISS: Over the Rainbow (by Brandon Fibbs)

Rita Hayworth break #2. Rita Hayworth - The Heat Is On (by...

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:44:00 -0500

Rita Hayworth break #2.

Rita Hayworth - The Heat Is On (by Georges Querelle)

I think this a good note to begin the weekend on. Possibly NSFW...

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 09:40:00 -0500

I think this a good note to begin the weekend on. Possibly NSFW if there are issues with salty language, vintage petticoats or peeling paint where you are, but perfectly safe in every other way I can imagine. “In My Mind” Music Video (by Amanda Palmer)

(If you have trouble loading, click HD for a smaller video file.)

Before Elvis Presley’s 78th birthday ends, here’s...

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:29:01 -0500

Before Elvis Presley’s 78th birthday ends, here’s Nick Lowe doing one of my favorite songs, made famous by Elvis. Nothing against Elvis. I just adore Nick Lowe.

Nick Lowe - True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - Live (by feeliez)

A guy named Bill drove me to Cleveland to see Bryan Ferry when I...

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:34:00 -0500

A guy named Bill drove me to Cleveland to see Bryan Ferry when I was 18. I had some kind of spiritual experience as psychedelic lights spun during “In Every Dream Home, A Heartache” and I swooned when the romantic master danced with a rose in his teeth. Still, there is nothing, nothing like “Same Old Scene” by Roxy Music. I could put it on repeat forever. I sometimes do.

Bill worked for IRS Records and I worked in a record store. One of us finagled a pass for a backstage meet and greet. Bill told me to go, that he would wait.

Bryan Ferry had taken a shower. He smelled good. I got an autograph.

Bill was patient. He didn’t mind waiting for me. He was a nice guy and I was too young to understand the virtue of nice guys. Two years later, I heard that he had been killed in a car crash.

I still wish I had kissed him that night.

Roxy Music - Same Old Scene (by emimusic)

Maybe I’ll count the stars until the dawn. TRACEY THORN -...

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 15:18:00 -0500

Maybe I’ll count the stars until the dawn.

TRACEY THORN - HARD CANDY CHRISTMAS (by Marcos Pessoa)

I am the sensitive mom of a sensitive boy, which means that I am...

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:00:03 -0500

I am the sensitive mom of a sensitive boy, which means that I am constantly thinking about the best way to protect, nurture and enrich my son’s emotional life. As much as we know about the connections between our mental and physical health these days, it’s amazing to me that our cultural treatment of little boys (and men) has yet to evolve into something wiser and more compassionate.

The number of resources out there for parents is appallingly low, but here’s some stuff on the subject from the internet, and a song to browse by:

Emotionally Strong Boys (recommendations and strategies from the authors of Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys)

Articles by Anthony Rao, author of The Way of Boys: Promoting the Social and Emotional Development of Boys.

Boys Do Cry from Shakesville - an insightful reflection on our President and the importance of his candid display of emotion during the election.

Moms like me would surely love to see and find more sensitive men in the world with the strength to model real emotional intelligence for boys like mine.

I’ve had Rita Hayworth on the brain lately. Especially...

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:00:00 -0500

I’ve had Rita Hayworth on the brain lately. Especially this song… Because it’s awesome.

Rita Hayworth - I’ve Been Kissed Before (by Dmitry Pavlovsky)

Saw Mark Eitzel in a room full of friends from a past life on...

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 09:44:00 -0500

Saw Mark Eitzel in a room full of friends from a past life on Saturday night. He sang beautifully, with the conviction of a man who recently nearly met his maker.

This song? Feels like the depressive counterpart to the one I posted about codependency the other day. A little anger with your compassion?

Info on depression.

I have to sigh now. Jonathan Richman - I’m So Confused (by...

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 10:00:10 -0500

I have to sigh now.

Jonathan Richman - I’m So Confused (by Dartmut)

Here’s a comprehensive look at the brain’s responses...

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 08:28:30 -0500

Here’s a comprehensive look at the brain’s responses to addictive substances and behaviors - from heroin to alcohol to junk food to internet use. I am probably going to have to watch this at least three more times before I begin to really understand it.

Worth watching, and seems fitting for a day when the culture is hooked on consumption.

The Chemistry of Addiction (by scishow)

For Thanksgiving, one of the best songs about gratitude there is...

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 10:00:00 -0500

For Thanksgiving, one of the best songs about gratitude there is - “Be Thankful for What You’ve Got,” by William DeVaughn.

Hope you have a wonderful day with loved ones, friends, pets, strangers, imaginary people, machines, yourself - whatever makes you feel the most thankful while you’re digging the scene with a gangster lean.

William DeVaughn - Be Thankful For What You’ve Got (LP Version) (by bigbankX)

Robotic women in negligees spinning on gambling equipment,...

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 08:30:00 -0500

Robotic women in negligees spinning on gambling equipment, shimmying, rear-end prone, in front of gigantic playing cards, writhing on betting tables… suddenly 1950s TV isn’t looking so wholesome. Kay Starr is wearing a giant feather duster. What was the director going for here? It’s seems a little Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.

While this is pretty entertaining, I absolutely adore Dinah Washington’s version of this song. I’ve always heard it in a lovely and hopeful and innocent light. If you’d rather get lost in a daydream than gaze upon catatonic showgirls, close your eyes and listen to Dinah instead.

Kay Starr - The Wheel of Fortune (by cyberbob1220)

I’m just a soul whose intentions are good. This cool, yin...

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 08:00:25 -0500

I’m just a soul whose intentions are good.

This cool, yin interpretation of this song, written for Nina Simone and popularized by the Animals, creates space, and is a comfort.

And… oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.

Meshell Ndegeocello - Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood (by John Yang)

Seven and a half years ago today, I gave birth to a boy. A very...

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 08:00:17 -0500

Seven and a half years ago today, I gave birth to a boy. A very strange, enchanted boy.

That summer, we held a welcoming ceremony for him. The day was supernaturally hot, and two wonderful Columbus musicians performed this song.

I had no idea it would play like a prophecy about the little boy I’ve come to know, who is already masterfully aware that the greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.

Halfway to eight!

Nat king cole, Nature Boy (by matela01)

Simple, isn’t it? Nick Lowe - Without Love (by...

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 07:00:00 -0500

Simple, isn’t it?

Nick Lowe - Without Love (by bthomas1001)

If you are like most people, you have heard the word...

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 10:00:00 -0500

If you are like most people, you have heard the word “codependency” and have no clue what it means. It’s as nuanced as it is widespread.But if you want an idea, here are a few:

“Those self-defeating, learned behaviors or character defects that result in a diminished capacity to initiate or to participate in loving relationships.” - Ernie Larsen

“An emotional, psychological and behavioral condition that develops as a result of an individual’s prolonged exposure to, and practice of, a set of oppressive rules — rules which prevent the open expression of feeling as well as the direct discussion of personal and interpersonal problems.” - Robert Subby

“Whatever problem the other person has [alcoholism, addiction, depression, etc.], codependency involves a habitual system of thinking, feeling, and behaving toward ourselves and others that can cause us pain. Codependent behaviors or habits are self-destructive. We frequently react to people who are destroying themselves; we react by learning to destroy ourselves. These habits can lead us into, or keep us in, destructive relationships, relationships that don’t work. These behaviors can sabotage relationships that may otherwise have worked. These behaviors can prevent us from finding peace and happiness with the most important person in our lives—ourselves. These behaviors belong to the only person each of us can control—the only person we can change—ourselves.” - Melody Beattie

Here are some good books on the subject.

And the song? If you’ve ever cared about someone who appeared to be killing him/herself- quickly or slowly, through addiction, self-abuse/neglect or some other mental illness/self-destructive behavior - you might recognize its fear and its revelations.