Ugh

I was actually working on my house tonight when I was overcome by a sneezing and coughing fit and basically got all choked up and could barely breathe, which is odd because I didn't do any dusting or anything that would stir up anything. But everyone I know who has allergies seems to be having trouble this year. I did break down and turn on the air conditioner because the pollen blowing in from outside was just too much, and with temperatures in the mid-80s, it was too stuffy otherwise. So the dishes are washing, but I'm taking a break and I'm in the bedroom listening to music (Natalie Merchant), with the CPAP on to try to clear out my nasal passages. I may read a little. I have some new material on the Salem witch trials to read. The plan is NOT to go to sleep yet. We'll see.

Listening to

Linkin Park, 'Lost in the Echo'

Okay, Ed Sheeran's album + tends to help my mood, but I've listened to it a lot since I got it and I'm kind of immune to its initial effects. Ophelia by Natalie Merchant brings up some painful stuff from my past. I think I'm going to go for a certain catharsis with Linkin Park's Living Things. Maybe that will help.

Home, and tired

Saturday involved a trip to Danville and Stanford to visit with family. It was a beautiful drive. I brought my grandmother, who turns 89 on Wednesday, a flamingo flower (which seems a lot like a pink peace lily) and spent some time with both her and my mom. I came home that evening and just sort of crashed. I won't go into it here, but let's say I had an interesting emotional mix that came to the surface, as it often does when I go there, and I curled up into a ball for a couple hours afterwards and tried to process some of my feelings. Later YKWIA and I talked on the phone for awhile, and that helped. Today I went over to his place, and while there was no game, I spent some time visiting with him and A and watched 'Big Bang Theory' and two movies that weren't stunning, but were pretty fun and did have me on the edge of my seat at times, one called Shinobi: Heart Under Blade (the cinematography was beautiful, the fight scenes well done, and the plot intriguing) and one called Hansel and Gretel: Warriors of Witchcraft. Tomorrow I should have most of the day to myself, so I think I'll:

1. Do laundry (including hand washables)
2. Go to the YMCA if they're open (my branch is closed today, so no go for that, although I might get into the pool at the apartment complex if it's warm enough)
3. Do a few things around the house, maintaining the apartment
4. Listen to music (Ed Sheeran, the radio)
5. Read (Bringing Home Mulligan, which is about the Marines in WWII, and the way the war affected them--fitting for a Memorial Day)
6. Nap (twice)
7. Bake bread (delicious)
8. Watch 'Doctor Who' (two episodes: 'Hide' and 'Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS'!)
9. Shop for a dress for a friend's vow renewal (bought it online)

That's a fairly full day, I think. I think I'll listen to some music and head to bed. I've been listening to Ed Sheeran a lot, of course. I had his CD going on the way down to Danville and back--it takes just a couple of minutes past the album's running time to get to my mom's from home. Last night I curled up to Kansas. Tonight I think it might be Natalie Merchant's Ophelia. My favourite song from that album is:



Good night.

I leave you with my favourite song from the album

Live:


The version from Ophelia (which I must admit, I like the arrangement better):

Listening to...

This could have been written for me.

'Life is Sweet'
by Natalie Merchant / Indian Love Bride ©1997

It's a pity
it's a crying shame
who pulled you down again?
how painful it must be
to bruise so easily inside

It's a pity
it's a downright crime
but it happens all the time
you wanna stay little daddy's girl
wanna hide from the vicious world outside

But don't cry
know the tears'll do no good
so dry your eyes

Your daddy he's the iron man
a battleship wrecked on dry land
your mama she's a bitter bride
she'll never be satisfied,
and you know
that's not right

But don't cry
know the tears'll do no good
so dry your eyes

They told you life is hard
it's misery from the start
it's dull and slow and painful

I tell you life is sweet
in spite of the misery
there's so much more
be grateful

Who do you believe?
who will you listen to
who will it be?
it's high time that you decide
in your own mind

Tried to comfort you
tried to tell you to be patient
they are blind
they can't see

Fortune gonna come some day
all gonna fade away
your daddy the war machine and
your mama the long and suffering
prisoner of what she can not see

They told you life is hard
it's misery from the start
it's dull and slow and painful

I tell you life is sweet
in spite of the misery
there's so much more
be grateful

Who do you believe?
who will you listen to
who will it be?

It's high time you decide
it's time you make up your own sweet little mind

They told you life is long
be thankful when it's done
don't ask for more
you should be grateful

But I tell you life is short
be thankful because before you know
it will be over

Cause life is sweet
and life is also very short
your life is sweet

I also like 'Ophelia', from the same album (also called Ophelia):


Come to think of it, it would work as a theme for one of my game characters, Tessa, who started as a novice, is a highly trained martial artist, was seduced by a mobster, and is currently, well, a bit mad.

I really do like just about anything I've heard from Natalie Merchant, both as a singer for 10,000 Maniacs and in her solo career.

Listening to

'Because the Night' by 10,000 Maniacs


I love Natalie Merchant...here's my favourite of her solo songs, 'Life is Sweet'


The last song is from Ophelia, which I have at work. I'll throw in the title track because I love it, too, and the video is very good.


Like Rob Thomas, I have never heard anything that I did not like that Natalie Merchant has done, either with 10,000 Maniacs, or solo. She has a wonderful, yet distinct voice, and seems to be very good live--something that can't be said of every performer.