I've seen all 5 seasons of Scrubs (only 5 are available). It has reinforced my view that it is one of my all time favourite series on TV. I cannot wait for Season 6 to be released!
As I write this, I am back to Season 1. Sad, isn't it.
My only consolation is that I found a new Dean Koontz book today when I went to Sam's Club. I didn't even know that he had a new book out. It's called "The Good Guy"
Here's what's in the inside cover:
Timothy Carrier, having a beer after work at his friend's tavern, enjoys drawing eccentric customers into amusing conversations. But the jittery man who sites next to him tonight has mistaken Tim for someone very different - and passes him a manila envelope full of cash.
"Ten thousand now. You get the rest when she is gone."
The stranger walks out, leaving a photo of the pretty woman marked for death, and her address. But things are about to get worse. In minutes, another stranger sits next to Tim. This one is a cold-blooded killer who believes that Tim is the man who has hired him.
Thinking fast, Tim says "I've had a change of heart. You get ten thousand - for doing nothing. Call it a no-kill fee." He keeps the photo and give s the money to the hired killer. And when Tim secretly follows the man out of the tavern, he gets a further shock: the hired killer is a cop.
Suddenly, Tim Carrier, an ordinary guy, is at the center of a mystery of extraordinary proportions, the one man who can save an innocent life and stop a killer far more powerful than any cop....and is relentless as evil incarnate. But first Tim must discover within himself the capacity for selflessness, endurance, and courage that can turn even an ordinary man into a hero, inner resources that will transform his idea of who he is and what it takes to be The Good Guy.
I've been a fan of Dean Koontz since 1994. I can honestly say that he has changed my life!
Anyway, even though it is 12:37pm, I am going to read some of this book before I go to sleep. Being tired doesn't count when Dean Koontz has a new book out!!
I was sitting in the parking lot of a small strip mall last night, waiting on some Chinese food that I had ordered. I had a few minutes to kill, and was listening to the radio, feeling a little sorry for myself, when Cheryl Crow came on, singing "If it makes you happy".
I am a fan of Cheryl Crow, and of this song especially, but when she started singing it, I suddenly felt very despondent. Especially when she sang the chorus:
"If it makes you happy It can't be that bad If it makes you happy Then why the hell are you so sad?"
I put that in context of where I was, and what I was feeling at the time. Feeling bad because I was overweight, but at the same time waiting on take out food. Not the worst option for the day that I had gone through, but at the same time, not what I should have been eating that night.
So as I thought about it:
"If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad" - the food does make me happy, and so she sings that it can't be that bad. Then comes the second part "If it makes you happy, then why the hell are you so sad?" That's when it struck me. This seemingly never ending cycle that I am in. When I feel sad, lonely or despondent, then I eat more. By eating more, I put on weight - which makes me feel sad. I am sure that it sounds like an excuse, and in many ways it is. However, I do feel that it is something to imagine what it feels like, and another to experience it. At this moment in time, I wouldn't wish my life on anyone. Maybe that can explain how I feel.
Oh, and if you've never been overweight, then please don't try to tell me how "easy" it is to lose weight. It is sufficient to say that you would never understand.
It's midnight, Sunday May 13th. Mothers Day. I came back from my friend's house about 10 minutes ago, after a gathering which was a lot of fun. We played Pictionary, watched the Spurs beat the Suns in the NBA Playoffs (boo), and then had a nice home cooked meal. All in all, a nice ending to a pretty crappy day. We were supposed to have played some putt-putt golf yesterday, but the rain put a stop to that. So today, we are heading to Frankie's to play that, and maybe some laser tag too. It will be nice to spend a day outside with friends. Beats sitting at home all the time!
So what else has happened since my last post. Not that much really. The price of oil has gone up again, putting premium well over the $3 mark. Let me ask a question - if the cost of manufacturing oil has gone up so much, how come the oil company execs are making record profits? It's the common man who suffers - as always. There's a song called "Something to believe in" by Poison that has some nice lines:
I drive by the homeless sleeping on a cold dark street Like bodies in an open grave Underneath the broken old neon sign That used to read JESUS SAVES
A mile away live the rich folks And I see how they're living it up While the poor they eat from hand to mouth The rich is drinkin' from a golden cup
Hey, here is the song on YouTube:
Here are the complete lyrics:
Will I see him on the TV Preachin' 'bout the promised land He tells me to believe in Jesus And steals the money from my hand
Some say he was a good man But Lord I think he sinned, yeah
Twenty-two years of mental tears Cries a suicidal Vietnam vet Who fought a losing war on a foreign shore To find his country didn't want him back
Their bullets took his best friend in Saigon Our lawyers took his wife and kids, no regrets In a time I don't remember In a war he can't forget
He cried "Forgive me for what I've done there Cause I never meant the things I did"
Chorus: And give me something to believe in If there's a Lord above And give me something to believe in Oh, Lord arise
My best friend died a lonely man In some Palm Springs hotel room I got the call last Christmas Eve And they told me the news
I tried all night not to break down and cry As the tears rolled down my face I felt so cold and empty Like a lost soul out of place
And the mirror, mirror on the wall Sees my smile it fades again
Chorus
Sometimes I wish to God I didn't know now The things I didn't know then Road you gotta take me home
Solo
I drive by the homeless sleeping on a cold dark street Like bodies in an open grave Underneath the broken old neon sign That used to read JESUS SAVES
A mile away live the rich folks And I see how they're living it up While the poor they eat from hand to mouth The rich is drinkin' from a golden cup
And it just makes me wonder Why so many lose, so few win
Chorus
You take the high road And I'll take the low road
Sometimes I wish to God I didn't know now The things I didn't know then
And give me something to believe in
When you think about the recent scandals that are plaguing the current administration, the one that stands out the most is the Walter Reed scandal. It's bad enough that we are involved in a war that was started on manufactured evidence, but the fact that we haven't looked after our own soldiers is really sad. They actually used it for last week's Law and Order. That's what made me think of this song, because it deals with the way that Vietnam vets were treated. It's just not right - but when you think of the people affected - not just the soldiers - but their families too - it really makes you feel sad.
Have you ever noticed, that at the beginning of a weekend, it seems like a long time until Monday morning comes back around - but then before you know it, it's there!!!
I find myself in that position now. It's 10:55pm on Sunday night, and I wish that I didn't have to go to work tomorrow. Wishful thinking I guess!!
Anyway, I'm sitting here, watching a recording of "Numbers" that played last Friday night. It's a pretty good show, and so I record it every Friday.
So what else has happened? I had a friend move to NJ on Friday. Played Scattegories on Friday night with some other friends. That was the first time that I had played, and I must admit that I had a lot of fun!!
Went to a couple of new restaurants over the past week too. First of all, on Thursday night I went to the Red Bowl Asian Bistro in Cary. They serve a mixture of Japanese, Thai and Chinese food. I must admit, the place looks nice, and the food was good. I even had some sushi from their sushi bar, and it was good. Then last night, I went to a Thai restaurant in Durham called Twisted Noodle. That was really crowded, but it was also very nice. I'm not usually a fan of Thai food, because I can sometimes have a bad reaction to coconut milk, but I must admit that I liked it. The dessert item that I had was roti parata with ice cream and chocolate sauce. Sounds freaky, I know, but it was delicious!
Oh, and if my mother reads this, she will probably be calling me after she this entry. An Englishman has opened an authentic fish and chip shop in Raleigh. I've already been twice, and I must admit, it may not be good for my health, I LOVE IT!!
Why does food that tastes so good end up being so bad for you! Divine retribution I guess!
So, what song will I end today's post with? Well, I was watching "House" this past week. If you don't watch it - then please do - it's one of the best series on TV today. At the end of this week's episode, they played part of a song called "Ain't no reason" by Brett Dannen. Here's that piece:
There ain't no reason things are this way It's how they've always been and they intend to stay I can't explain why we live this way We do it everyday
Preachers on the podium speaking the saints Prophets on the sidewalk begging for change Old ladies laugh from the fire escape Cursing my name
I got a basket full of lemons and they always taste the same A window and a pidgen with a broken wing You could spend you whole life working for something Just to have it taken away
People walk around pushing back their desks Wearing paychecks like necklaces and bracelets Talking about nothing, not thinking about death Every little heartbeat every little breath
People walk a tight rope on a razor's edge Carrying their hurt and hatred and weapons It could be a bomb, or a bullet or a pin Or a thought, or a word, or a sentence
There ain't no reason things are this way It's how they've always been and they intend to stay I dont't know why i say the things i say But i say them anyway
Love will come set me free Love will come set me free, I do believe Love will come set me free, I know it will Love will come set me free
Prison walls still standing tall Some things never change at all Keep on building prisons gonna fill them all Keep on building bombs gonna drop them all
Working your fingers bare to the bone Breaking your back to make yourself useful Laugh along, it's filled with cold Suffocating slow
The wind blows wild and i may move But politicians lie and i am not fooled You don't need no reason nor a three-piece suit To argue the truth
The air on my skin, and the world under my toes Slavery stitched in to the fabric of my clothes Chaos and commotion wherever i go Love i try to follow
Love will come set me free Love will come set me free, I do believe Love will come set me free, I know it will Love will come set me free
There ain't no reason things are this way It's how they've always been and they intend to stay I can't explain why we live this way We do it everyday
The entire song isn't on that clip - the entire piece from the episode isn't either - so here is the song in it's entirety that some discerning youtube user has uploaded, with some general clips from "House"
Wouldn't you believe it - as I was searching YouTube, I found a clip of the current season of "Scrubs" where this song is also being used:
I can't wait for the next season to come out on DVD!
A couple of months ago, there was a VH1 Rock Honours 2006 show, which featured tributes to Queen, Def Leppard, Judas Priest and Kiss. Actually it was probably last year, but I saw it on TV a couple of months ago. Last week, it was on again, when my friend Mike was over, and they were singing "The Show Must Go On" - now the ex Bad Company lead singer Paul Rodgers is singing for Queen these days - and I must admit that he did a good job. But no matter how well he sings, he is no Freddie Mercury. The song is really sad, and to many people, it's almost like Freddie is laying his life out in the music. I do remember seeing a documentary about Queen, and the last song that they did was "Those were the days of our lives". In that video, Freddie has lost a considerable amount of weight. They also said that he had to stop frequently, because he wasn't strong enough to continue. He did finish the song though, and when you listen to it, you will feel the emotion run through your being. Don't take my word for it - here it is:
Here are the lyrics:
Sometimes I get to feelin I was back in the old days - long ago When we were kids when we were young Thing seemed so perfect - you know The days were endless we were crazy we were young The sun was always shining - we just lived for fun Sometimes it seems like lately - I just dont know The rest of my life's been just a show
Those were the days of our lives The bad things in life were so few Those days are all gone now but one thing is true When I look and I find I still love you
You cant turn back the clock you cant turn back the tide Ain't that a shame I'd like to go back one time on a roller coaster ride When life was just a game No use in sitting and thinkin on what you did When you can lay back and enjoy it through your kids Sometimes it seems like lately - I just dont know Better sit back and go with the flow
Cos these are the days of our lives They've flown in the swiftness of time These days are all gone now but some things remain When I look and I find no change
Those were the days of our lives - yeah The bad things in life were so few Those days are all gone now but one things still true When I look and I find I still love you
I still love you
Now, the video of "The show must go on" is somber - and I would say more fitting of a farewell from the great Freddie Mercury:
Here are the lyrics - and when you listen to the song you will understand:
Empty spaces - what are we living for Abandoned places - I guess we know the score On and on, does anybody know what we are looking for... Another hero, another mindless crime Behind the curtain, in the pantomime Hold the line, does anybody want to take it anymore The show must go on, The show must go on Inside my heart is breaking My make-up may be flaking But my smile still stays on. Whatever happens, Ill leave it all to chance Another heartache, another failed romance On and on, does anybody know what we are living for? I guess Im learning, I must be warmer now Ill soon be turning, round the corner now Outside the dawn is breaking But inside in the dark Im aching to be free The show must go on The show must go on Inside my heart is breaking My make-up may be flaking But my smile still stays on My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies Fairytales of yesterday will grow but never die I can fly - my friends The show must go on The show must go on Ill face it with a grin Im never giving in On - with the show - Ill top the bill, Ill overkill I have to find the will to carry on On with the - On with the show - The show must go on...
Rather than end this post on such a somber note, let's take a look at one of his solo pieces of work, the remixed dance hit "Living on my own":
Here are the lyrics:
Sometimes I feel I'm gonna break down and cry (so lonely) Nowhere to go nothing to do with my time I get lonely so lonely living on my own
Sometimes I feel I'm always walking too fast And everything is coming down on me down on me I go crazy oh so crazy living on my own
Dee do de de dee do de de I don't have no time for no monkey business Dee do de de dee do de de I get so lonely lonely lonely lonely yeah Got to be some good times ahead
Sometimes I feel nobody gives me no warning Find my head is always up in the clouds in a dreamworld It's not easy living on my own
Dee do de de dee do de de I don't have no time for no monkey business Dee do de de dee do de de I get so lonely lonely lonely lonely yeah Got to be some good times ahead
Dee do de de dee do de de I don't have no time for no monkey business Dee do de de dee do de de I get so lonely lonely lonely lonely yeah Got to be some good times ahead
Nice, eh?
I can understand some of what he sings here. It is possible to be lonely, even if you are not alone.
Lonely in a crowd? Oxymoron? Or am I just an ox wrapped in a moron :o)
RIP Freddie Mercury - you are sorely missed, but your impact on this world will never, ever be forgotten. Thank you for that :o)
