Music…

Theme from New York, New York

Nothing But the Best

Frank Sinatra
and Words
Start spreadin′ the news
I’m leavin′ today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York
These vagabond shoes
Are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it
New York, New York

Lyric excerpts from Musixmatch.


I arrive in New York on a mid-September weekend day. I am my wife’s beck and call while she navigates a business trip.  Having stayed mostly put since the pandemic, I welcomed the change of scenery.  Having enough vacation time banked, I happily agreed.  We’d only stay a few days.  It’ll be enough for me to taste the city again.  We booked our flights and off we went.

The flight itself was uneventful.  We arrived early and shuffled through the desks and lines.  TSA wasn’t considerably different today than it was pre-pandemic, which is still slow and inefficient, but a ‘known quantity’.  We arrive at our gate with enough spare time for our flight to JFK airport in New York.  Upon the announcement calling out our group, we boarded.  We arrived in New York, safely and on time; even the process of getting our luggage was surprisingly fast.

Continue reading “I don’t want to be a part of it”

Music…

The Ballad Of Sleeping Beauty

Whaler

Sophie B. Hawkins
and Words

You don’t know why I’m crazy
I don’t know why your blue
You messed with my head
You messed with the dead
Now I’m gonna mess with you
I don’t know why your lazy
I’m so in love with you
What’s God gonna see
Who’s God gonna know
When’s God gonna help us through

Lyric excerpts from Musixmatch.


In the mid-1990s, I fell in love with Sophie B. Hawkins.  I refer not to the depths of altruistic romantic love, nor did I stalk her or any such nonsense.  I’ll describe it as a deep fascination for her.  She first came to my attention with As I Lay Me Down.  That song prompted me to get this album (Whaler), followed by her preceding album (Tongues and Tails).  I enjoyed both albums, though I won’t tell you that either is the equivalent of Journey’s Escape.

Whaler, in particular, exudes a certain vulnerability and intimacy. Having seen her in concert, I have observed her exert assertiveness and femininity, yet they’re not in contrast; they’re in unison.  Her voice is undeniably feminine; her words unmistakably assertive.  The entire album feels like you’ve come upon her open journal, with words seducing you to read them.  Hearing her music feels almost like an intrusion upon her privacy until she figuratively looks directly at you and winks.

Continue reading “Only love can make a miracle of life”