A Wicked Life

My favorite time of the year. Yes, Christmas is great but there is nothing like Fall arriving - mystery in the air. I love this time of year for many reasons. The vibe, all things dark brought to life and the perfect beginning to November - Day of the Dead or as some call it (appropriately) Dia de Los Muertos. While this time of year makes some very uncomfortable, I adore it. Lately, I have taken up painting again. I have not painted in about two and a half years, for whatever reason. Call it lack of muse or listening to someone that says I write better than I paint. Well, you, my two followers, know that the latter is untrue. I think I paint better than I write. Or at least better than I edit! Ha ha! To get into the "spirit" of things, I started painting sugar skull style portraits. Not of anyone in particular, just random faces that needed some "color". I'm also excited that I will be involved in an art show the 17th of October in the Foothil...

Photo Source: winetrain.com As racial tension continues to escalate in our fine country, everything is now being scrutinized as racist. The newest target for racial discrimination allegations is The Napa Valley Wine Train.  Over the weekend, a book club made up of mostly black women, were escorted off The Napa Valley Wine Train. Staff claimed the group refused to comply with several requests that their group quiet down. These women are now claiming the actions of the staff were racially charged. These women even went as far as Tweeting the incident with the hashtag #laughingwhileblack to imply if they had been a group of white people, the staff would not have ejected them from the train. Now some Latinos are claiming similar treatment.  I read comments on post threads stating that wine tasting is a white person's hobby and that people of color can afford it and should be able to enjoy it  their  way. Really? What happened to comm...

It's summer!  Beaches, pools and river activities are not complete without a good book. Come on, you can't swim non-stop. Besides, what can be more relaxing than your toes in the sand, a drink at your side and the latest (insert your fave author here) novel in your hands?  Last year I was a little too ambitious with my summer reading goals. This year I'm going to be a little more realistic. I have already started John Cleese's "So, Anyway..." . So far it is as witty and entertaining as he is in movies and comedy skits.  Once I'm finished with this book I will be moving on to Sophia Loren's, "Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow My Life" , sent to me from a dear friend across the Pond. I simply adore, Sophia Loren! Thank you, Ian!!! Muah! Time permitting, I will end my summer reading with Stephen King's "Mr. Mercedes" and "Finders Keepers".   I will do my best to follow up with a boo...

Just sit back and enjoy this beauty. Shine on, Syd. Shine on.

Caution: The last part of this video is hard to watch. No question about it. This song is pretty damned violent. "Run Like Hell" Run, run, run, run    You better make your face up in  Your favourite disguise  With your button down lips and your  Roller blind eyes  With your empty smile  And your hungry heart  Feel the bile rising from your guilty past  With your nerves in tatters  As the cockleshell shatters  And the hammers batter  Down your door  You better run  Run, run, run, run  You better run all day  And run all night  And keep your dirty feelings  Deep inside. And if your  Takin' your girlfriend  Out tonight  You better park the car  Well out of sight  'Cos if they catch you in the back seat  Trying to pick her locks  They're gonna send you back to mother  In a cardboard box  You better run  ~The Wall

My brother, who is a fellow Pink Floyd fan, told me about this track. It's instrumental. I had to find a video to go along with this song and this seems to be the best. The other one showed a couple doing heroin. Thanks, but no thanks.

Hi folks! Playing a little catch up with this year's challenge. I hope I have not been booted off the list yet. If so, well I am going to continue as planned until the end of the month. This is one of my favorite Pink Floyd tracks. It's great to see it performed live and they always have a hug ass pig floating above the audience. The pig's eyes glow red and it seems to be the type that would eat a man whole. They can do that, you know. That is why I don't feel bad loving bacon as much as I do. What is the meaning of this song, you  may ask? Not sure. You tell me. Big man, pig man, ha ha, charade you are You well heeled big wheel, ha ha, charade you are And when your hand is on your heart You're nearly a good laugh Almost a joker With your head down in the pig bin Saying "keep on digging" Pig stain on your fat chin What do you hope to find? When you're down in the pig mine You're nearly a laugh You're nearly ...

I couldn't choose between these two tracks. One with Waters, one without. I love them both. I recently re-watched American Psycho and this song fits in nicely. While one could argue that Patrick Bateman was just plain bat shit crazy, what about Pink? "...in the suite case on the left you'll find my favorite ax." "This just a passing phase..."  "Would  you like to learn to fly, Would ya?! Would you like to see me try?" One Slip tells a different story. To me it talks about two people that get caught up in a shit storm after a moment of weakness. Their decision spirals them into what they feel is oblivion.  Then drowned in desire, our souls on fire I lead the way to the funeral pyre And without a thought of the consequence I gave in to my decadence  One slip, and down the hole we fall It seems to take no time at all A momentary lapse of reason That binds a life for life...

Remember when there were only 13 channels on the tele?

Of course I'm going to pick one of the most iconic Pink Floyd songs. MONEY!! One of the seven deadly sins is greed and what tempts people the most? Money. It's all about money. People lie, cheat, steal, and sometimes kill for the mighty dollar. Nations, corporations, and Bob next door make the majority of their decisions based on money. How to get it, keep it, and get more. Our media and advertising promotes the latest and greatest gadgets, attire, and other status symbols - all that costs... money.

One of my favorite songs from Pink Floyd's work post Rodger Waters. I had no idea that there was a video for this song using a part of one of Robin Williams' movies.  I grieved - along with the world the day we lost him. This song fits perfectly for those who feel they do not have a voice. Those who suffer depression, abuse, and other isolating situations - communication is key. Reach out to those who seem "off" or that distance themselves from others. Get them to open  up and show compassion for their situation, whether or not you understand them. It is vital and sometimes life dependent.  We must keep talking... I think I should speak now I can't seem to speak now My words won't come out right I feel like I'm drowning I'm feeling weak now But I can't show my weakness ~Pink Floyd

We all have challenges, fears, and doubt.  When I hear this song I am picturing him pointing to different individuals. Hey you! And you over there! He is asking for help and compassion - hoping to reach them. He wants them to know they are not alone and feels their pain, do they feel his? I'm sure there is a deeper meaning to this song and since it was on The Wall, which was a concept album, must be in reference to the Berlin Wall - keeping everyone separated and isolated.  What better way to control the masses?  Hey you ! out there on the road  Always doing what you're told, can you help me  Hey you ! out there beyond the wall  Breaking bottles in the hall, can you help me  Hey you ! don't tell me there's no hope at all  Together we stand, divided we fall. ~Pink Floyd

I have to say that this song is frigging depressing as hell. The video clip adds to its menacing melody. For being such a short song, it packs a bunch of emotion. Look, Mummy. There's an airplane up in the sky. Did you see the frightened ones  Did you hear the falling bombs  The flames are all long gone  But the pain lingers on  Goodbye blue sky  Goodbye blue sky  Goodbye  Goodbye

Atom Heart Mother was the fifth album by Pink Floyd. This album was recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios. This is the very first time I have heard anything off this album. Like I have said in previous posts, I don't know everything about Pink Floyd, nor do I have all their work. I decided to use this video from their live show in 2006 because I liked the way David Gilmour's voice sounds. Pick your feet up off the ground. And if you hear as the warm night falls The silver sound from a time so strange, Sing to me, sing to me. ~Pink Floyd

I have to confess that this is the first time I have ever heard this song. Like I said, I'm not expert on the band. I do not own everything they have ever recorded.  I have a feeling that through the course of this blog challenge that I will know a little more about them and will discover gems from the past.  This song was written by all four band members in 1970. From what I understand, it was a daunting experience. Roger Waters had his own way of dealing with the rest of the band and, as we all know, ultimately was no longer part of Pink Floyd. Some say that Pink Floyd is not Pink Floyd without Roger Waters. I disagree. I believe that Pink Floyd evolved in its own way. As we all do.

Warning! This video contains graphic images that you  may find disturbing! I chose this particular video because it reflects the nature of this song perfectly. Images are jarring and at times heartbreaking. I think it is important that we do not forget the past. The acts mankind is capable of committing. We cannot turn a blind eye to what happens around us.  Unfortunately, this song is spot on with the nature of war and those who see fellow human beings as a commodity or less than human. It's timeless. When I first heard this song it was performed live and the visuals were dogs, German Shepherds to be exact, with glowing red eyes - running up a staircase. It was powerful but it was the lyrics that resonated with me the most.   "Hell opened up and put on sale. Gather around and haggle."  Honestly, this song doesn't need a video or photos to convey its message.  "You can't stop what has begun. Signed,sealed, they de...

My hands felt just like two balloons.  Now I've got that feeling once again  I can't explain you would not understand  This is not how I am.  I have become comfortably numb. Comfortably Numb The Wall, 1982 I read recently that the lyrics were inspired by Roger Waters being terribly sick before a show. As they say, "The show must go on". While we picture a drug addict getting his "fix" it was more like a musician needing a flu shot. Did I ruin the visual for your pot heads out there?  I love this song and I just discovered this video - enjoy!  Watch it all the way through. It is a perfect example of Pink Floyd's phenomenal presence on stage.  I would have done anything to see this performance live. Well almost anything... :) What is your favorite Pink Floyd song? 

Ah... Dark Side of the Moon... I listened to this album over an over as a teenager.  The days when I wanted to escape from the pressures of school and anything else teenage girls wanted to escape from. So instead of getting into trouble or doing drugs - I listened to this album.  I shared this video because it is a well known rumor that Dark Side of the Moon synchronizes to the first part of The Wizard of Oz.  My roommate and I tried it. It kinda worked and we were not even smoking anything. Try it. If anything it is entertaining.  The key is to start the album right after the MGM lion roars the second time, I think... Wait, does the lion roar once or twice? Anyway... start it with the lion roaring. I had the honor of seeing Pink Floyd live in 1988. It was amazing. The concert was sold out -of course. Rain or shine. That whole day it rained cats and dogs. Everywhere in town was sold out of rain gear. Us kids w...

I'm not going to claim to be an expert on Pink Floyd or interpret the messages in their lyrics. I am simply going to share songs from a band that kept me out of trouble in high school. Weird, I know.  My first exposure to Pink Floyd was just after the release of The Wall . One of my uncles was wearing the t-shirt with Another Brick In the Wall logo or design - whatever you want to call it. It was not until I was a sophomore in high school when I actually started listening to them. Of course, this particular track spoke to me because it was rebellious in nature.  Teenage angst and all that. It was not until I was much older that I watched the film The Wall .  The imagery laid out to the album was simply stunning and shocking - brilliance.  What was your first impression of Pink Floyd? Fan?  "We don't need no education We don't need no thought control No dark sarcasm in the classroom Teachers leave those kids alone Hey...

My accommodations during my 46 day stay in Redondo Beach.  I will never stay at an Extended Stay again. It was the worst. The rooms smelled and the towels were rough. I think the TV was possessed too. It turned off on it's own (and only when I was actually enjoying the show) and the remote would not work properly. Do not even get me started on the housekeeping services... Since I was at an Extended Stay, I brought some comforts of home, including my Ninja Blender. It was a feeble attempt to stay on my healthy living goal.  With the campaign in full force... I cheated a bit.  Yummy lunch from my favorite coffee house ever.  This place had the best salads, sandwiches, and iced tea. Not to mention tons and tons of books and places to sit. I posted here a couple of times when I didn't feel like going into the office. Nice vibe - wish I could of brought this coffee house home with me.    Tried this basil flavored drink at Kincaids....