He aquí los pensamientos aleatorios de un epistemólogo andante.
I dream of a world where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned.
피할수 없는 고통이라면 차라리 즐겨라
As of June, 2013, I have assumed a new identity: I am a cancer survivor. "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."
"A blog, in the end, is really not so different from an inscription on a bone: I was here, it declares to no one in particular. Don't forget that." - Justin E. H. Smith
재미없으면 보상해드립니다!
"All things are enchained with one another, bound together by love." - Nietzsche (really!)
Leviticus 19:33-34
Donc, si Dieu existait, il n’y aurait pour lui qu’un seul moyen de servir la liberté humaine, ce serait de cesser d’exister. - Mikhail Bakunin
Solvitur ambulando.
"Sometimes I wonder why I even bother to soliloquize. Where was I?" - the villain Heinz Doofenshmirtz, in the cartoon Phineas and Ferb.
My name is Jared Way. I was born in rural Far Northern California, and became an "adoptive" Minnesotan. I have lived in many other places: Mexico City, Philadelphia, Valdivia (Chile), Los Angeles. And for 11 years, I was an expatriate living in South Korea. In the summer of 2018, I made another huge change, and relocated to Southeast Alaska, which is my uncle's home.
For many years I was a database programmer, with a background in Linguistics and Spanish Literature. In Korea, worked as an EFL teacher.
In June, 2013, while I was in Ilsan in South Korea, I was diagnosed with cancer, and underwent successful treatment. That changed my life pretty radically.
Currently, you could say I'm "between jobs," somewhat caretaking my uncle (to the extent he tolerates that) and getting adapted to life in rural Alaska after so many years as an urban dweller.
I started this blog before I even had the idea of going to Korea (first entry: Caveat: And lo...). So this is not meant to be a blog about Korea, by any stretch of the imagination. But life in Korea, and Korean language and culture, inevitably have come to play a central role in this blog's current incarnation.
Basically, this blog is a newsletter for the voices in my head. It keeps everyone on the same page: it has become a sort of aide-mémoire.
For a more detailed reflection on why I'm blogging, you can look at this old post: What this blog is, and isn't.
If you're curious about me, there is a great deal of me here. I believe in what I call "opaque transparency" - you can learn almost everything about me if you want, but it's not immediately easy to find.
A distillation of my personal philosophy (at least on good days):
I have made the realization that happiness is not a mental state. It is not something that is given to you, or that you find, or that you can lose, or that can be taken from you. Happiness is something that you do. And like most things that you do, it is volitional. You can choose to do happiness, or not. You have complete freedom with respect to the matter.
"Ethical joy is the correlate of speculative affirmation." - Gilles Deleuze (writing about Spinoza).
Like most people, I spend a lot of time online, although I try to limit it somewhat. Here is a somewhat-annotated list of the "places" where I spend
time online.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Knowledge and News
I spend about half of all my time online reading Wikipedia. It's why I know stuff.
I get most of my world news from Minnesota Public Radio which includes NPR, BBC and CBC, depending on when I listen.
I don't really "do" social media. I have a membership at Facebookland but I never log in
there. I don't like it.
I have a membership at The Youtubes but I mostly use it for work. I also listen to music on youtube, frequently - I prefer it to typical streaming services, for example.
Humor and Cat Videos
Cat videos and other internet novelties: Laughing Squid.
Geofiction - this has evolved into a significant "hobby" for me. I like to draw imaginary maps, and there is a website that has enabled this vice.
I worked as a volunteer administrator for the site OpenGeofiction on and off for a few years. I created (but no longer maintain) the site's main wiki page: OGF Wiki. I am not currently working as administrator but I remain active on the site.
The above work has required my becoming an expert in the Openstreetmap system. Openstreetmap is an attempt do for online maps what wikipedia has done for encyclopedias. I have considered becoming an openstreetmap contributor, but I feel that my current location in Korea hinders that, since I don't have a good grasp Korean cartographic naming conventions.
Starting in April, 2018, I decided somewhat capriciously to build my own "OGF stack" on my own server. This was not because I intended to abandon the OGF site, but rather because I wanted to better understand the whole architecture and all its parts. I built a wiki on the Mediawiki platform (the same as wikipedia). This wiki has no content. I built a map tileserver and geospatial database, which contains a very low resolution upload of an imaginary planet called Rahet. And I built a wordpress blog, which is a separate, low-frequency blog intended to focus on my geofictional pursuits rather than this more personalized, general purpose blog. All of these things can be found integrated together on my rent-a-server, here: geofictician.net
TEFL - my "profession," such as it is.
Online English Grammar reference Grammarist. Useful for settling disputes over grammar.
We went fishing again today. But Arthur failed to attract the attention of any fish. So we just drove the boat around.
This is Caldera Bay, on the south side of Trocadero, about due south of Craig.
Here is another view from the boat.
In the afternoon, we drove into town to run some errands. We stopped by Arthur's friends Jan and Richard. Jan was home. She is also, conveniently, his local VA ombuds. Richard and Jan are the people whose address I used to mail my books to myself from Korea, so they have been getting my packages. Jan gave us some halibut enchiladas she'd made. They were delicious when he heated them up for dinner.
What I'm listening to right now.
Magnetic Fields, "The Death Of Ferdinand De Saussure."
Lyrics.
[Verse 1] I met Ferdinand de Saussure On a night like this On love, he said, "I'm not so sure I even know what it is No understanding, no closure It is a nemesis You can't use a bulldozer To study orchids", he said, "So
[Chorus] We don't know anything You don't know anything I don't know anything About love And we are nothing You are nothing I am nothing Without love"
[Verse 2] I'm just a great composer And not a violent man But I lost my composure And I shot Ferdinand Crying, "It's well and kosher To say you don't understand But this is for Holland-Dozier-Holland" His last words were:
[Chorus] "We don't know anything You don't know anything I don't know anything About love And we are nothing You are nothing I am nothing Without love"
His fading words were
[Chorus] "We don't know anything You don't know anything I don't know anything About love And we are nothing You are nothing I am nothing Without love"
Being in the US again is weird, sometimes. I have a bit of reverse culture shock. Seeing US television and flipping through radio stations as I drive my rental car can be slightly disorienting.
This song was on a radio station as a I drove around Eagan, today. It's a song one of my students found and prepared for one of my "CC" classes, at Karma. Is it possible to feel nostalgic even though I'm only two weeks removed from being there?
What I'm listening to right now.
Taylor Swift, "Delicate."
Lyrics.
This ain't for the best My reputation's never been worse, so You must like me for me We can't make Any promises now, can we, babe? But you can make me a drink Dive bar on the East Side, where you at? Phone lights up my nightstand in the black Come here, you can meet me in the back Dark jeans and your Nikes, look at you Oh damn, never seen that color blue Just think of the fun things we could do 'Cause I like you This ain't for the best My reputation's never been worse, so You must like me for me Yeah, I want you We can't make Any promises now, can we, babe? But you can make me a drink Is it cool that I said all that? Is it chill that you're in my head? 'Cause I know that it's delicate (delicate) Is it cool that I said all that Is it too soon to do this yet? 'Cause I know that it's delicate Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Delicate Third floor on the West Side, me and you Handsome, your mansion with a view Do the girls back home touch you like I do? Long night, with your hands up in my hair Echoes of your footsteps on the stairs Stay here, honey, I don't wanna share 'Cause I like you This ain't for the best My reputation's never been worse, so You must like me for me Yeah, I want you We can't make Any promises now, can we, babe? But you can make me a drink Is it cool that I said all that? Is it chill that you're in my head? 'Cause I know that it's delicate (delicate) Is it cool that I said all that Is it too soon to do this yet? 'Cause I know that it's delicate Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Isn't it? Delicate Sometimes I wonder when you sleep Are you ever dreaming of me? Sometimes when I look into your eyes I pretend you're mine, all the damn time 'Cause I like you Is it cool that I said all that? Is it chill that you're in my head? 'Cause I know that it's delicate (delicate) Yeah, I want you Is it cool that I said all that Is it too soon to do this yet? 'Cause I know that it's delicate (delicate) 'Cause I like you Is it cool that I said all that? Is it chill that you're in my head? 'Cause I know that it's delicate (delicate) Yeah, I want you Is it cool that I said all that Is it too soon to do this yet? 'Cause I know that it's delicate Delicate
[daily log: walking, 2km; moving stuff around, a lot]
I spend my mornings trying organize, pack, and clean my apartment. Since my apartment will be taken by my succussor teacher, whom Curt has officially hired, I feel even more obligated to leave the apartment in good condition than I normally would.
I was scrubbing some walls and cupboards, and when I was done, I felt depressed, because it still doesn't look that great. I guess there're just flaws and stains and stuff that don't really scrub off easily.
What I'm listening to right now.
Grace VanderWaal, "Clearly." This song is a "reinterpretation" of the old song "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash, and famously interpreted by Jimmy Cliff. One of my students prepared this song for our CC class, and it was popular, so I recycled it for a few of my other CC classes. I think the kids are more interested because the singer, Grace VanderWaal, is currently 14 years old - she's their age. They're curious.
Lyrics.
[Verse 1] There's a world outside my door I don't know it anymore I'm gonna stay here now I'm gonna stay here now Close the curtains, cut the lights Match the darkness in my mind It's gonna take me down It's gonna take me down
[Pre-Chorus] All the roads I've been before Same mistakes always got me shakin' And all the signs I once ignored In my denial, I didn't want to face them
[Chorus] I can see clearly now The rain has gone I accept all the things that I cannot change Gone are the dark clouds The dawn has come It's gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day
[Verse 2] There's a world outside my door I forced my feet down to the floor I'm gonna make it out I'm gonna make it out Take a breath and say a prayer Find the strength in my despair It's not gonna take me down It's not gonna take me down
[Pre-Chorus] All the roads I've been before Same mistakes always got me shakin' And all the signs I once ignored In my denial, I didn't want to face them
[Chorus] I can see clearly now The rain has gone I accept all the things that I cannot change Gone are the dark clouds The dawn has come It's gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day It's gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day
[Bridge] All the pain in my sorrow Won't change today, only ruin tomorrow All the pain in my sorrow Won't change today, only ruin tomorrow
[Chorus] I can see clearly now The rain has gone I accept all the things that I cannot change Gone are the dark clouds The dawn has come It's gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day It's gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day
[daily log: walking, 7.5km; carrying heavy box to post office, 0.5km]
It's a huge moment in my life - after 11 years in Korea, I am leaving the country, and not sure if I'll be coming back (except maybe to visit). I must say goodbye to the rice fields, the pointy green mountains, the apartment blocks, the great, brilliant, shining, futuristic city of Seoul.
I have been feeling a lot of sadness. My flight leaves in 6 days.
What I'm listening to right now.
매드 클라운, "콩 (Hide And Seek)," (Feat. Jooyoung 주영). Included in blog dated 2015-01-21.
This heartwarming little video appeared in my facebook feed the other day (h/t my own dad - heh). Given that I'm recently returned to facebookland, despite ambivalences, right?
I was curious about the song's provenance, because it seemed a good, positive song for my CC classes at Karma. So I did some google-fu, and found it.
What I'm listening to right now.
Matisyahu, "One Day."
Lyrics.
Sometimes I lay Under the moon And thank God I'm breathing Then I pray Don't take me soon 'Cause I am here for a reason
Sometimes in my tears I drown But I never let it get me down So when negativity surrounds I know some day it'll all turn around
Because All my life I've been waiting for I've been praying for For the people to say That we don't wanna fight no more There will be no more wars And our children will play One day (one day), One day (one day) One day (one day), One day (one day) One day (one day), One day (one day)
It's not about Win or lose 'Cause we all lose When they feed on the souls of the innocent Blood-drenched pavement Keep on moving though the waters stay raging
In this maze you can lose your way (your way) It might drive you crazy but don't let it faze you, no way (no way)
Sometimes in my tears I drown But I never let it get me down So when negativity surrounds I know some day it'll all turn around
Because All my life I've been waiting for I've been praying for For the people to say That we don't wanna fight no more They'll be no more wars And our children will play One day (one day), One day (one day) One day (one day), One day (one day) One day (one day), One day (one day)
One day this all will change Treat people the same Stop with the violence Down with the hate One day we'll all be free And proud to be Under the same sun Singing songs of freedom like
One day (one day), One day (one day) One day (one day), One day (one day)
All my life I've been waiting for I've been praying for For the people to say That we don't wanna fight no more They'll be no more wars And our children will play One day (one day), One day (one day) One day (one day), One day (one day) One day (one day), One day (one day)
[daily log: walking, 7.5km; carrying heavy box to post office, 0.5km]
As mentioned before, we have this thing at Karma called "CC" class - a somewhat opaque name for what are essentially focused listening exercises using English-language pop songs. Mostly, these days, I can proudly say that my initiative to have the students prepare and present their own choices of songs has gone quite well, and 90% of the time, the students do their homework and they lead the class. I love sitting in a class where the students are leading, and even using English fairly successfully to manage the class.
But sometimes a student forgets his or her homework, or some miscommunication causes there not to be a prepared song for a given class. So I have some "backup" songs prepared. One of the "CC" songs that I've been using for this is "Whatever It Takes," by the group Imagine Dragons. Like many of the CC pop songs, I was fairly neutral about the song at first, but with repeated careful listenings and presentations of the song, it's grown on me.
Last Saturday, I presented the song to my HS2-T cohort, because they were returning from their month-long "naesin" hiatus and the song that the student had prepared was one it turned out we'd done before. As usual, I was deeply impressed with these students' amazing listening skills, quickly identifying missing words in the Cloze passage of the song that even I struggled to hear. So we made our way through the song.
As we wrapped up the class, I told the students that I'd grown to like the song.
One of the girls asked, "Why do you like it?"
In fact, I couldn't think of a reason. But I always have to say something, right? That's what I'm known for, and that's my reputation: Jared always has some opinion on anything, and he'll present his reasons in little coherent, organized paragraphs, like a good debate teacher should, right?
So I had to think fast on my feet. Offhandedly, I said, "Because the song has lots of long words in it." This is more or less true. It does have some unexpectedly sesquipedalian vocabulary, which the singer rattles off in rock-rap style quite amazingly.
"For example," I added, spontaneously, "it has the word apostrophe. I never heard a song with the word apostrophe in it, before." This is true, as far as it goes. But then I elaborated, "'Apostrophe' is one of my favorite words." That was pure confabulation, but it supported my argument with a subjective, emotional appeal. Anyway, it satisfied the girl's request for a reason why I liked the song.
But then the girls started saying, "Apostrophe, apostrophe," over and over. "Is that good entertainment for you?" one asked.
Indeed. Good entertainment.
What I'm listening to right now.
Imagine Dragons, "Whatever It Takes."
Lyrics.
Falling too fast to prepare for this Tripping in the world could be dangerous Everybody circling, it's vulturous Negative, nepotist Everybody waiting for the fall of man Everybody praying for the end of times Everybody hoping they could be the one I was born to run, I was born for this Whip, whip Run me like a racehorse Pull me like a ripcord Break me down and build me up I wanna be the slip, slip Word upon your lip, lip Letter that you rip, rip Break me down and build me up Whatever it takes 'Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins I do whatever it takes 'Cause I love how it feels when I break the chains Whatever it takes You take me to the top I'm ready for Whatever it takes 'Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins I do what it takes Always had a fear of being typical Looking at my body feeling miserable Always hanging on to the visual I wanna be invisible Looking at my years like a martyrdom Everybody needs to be a part of 'em Never be enough, I'm the prodigal son I was born to run, I was born for this Whip, whip Run me like a racehorse Pull me like a ripcord Break me down and build me up I wanna be the slip, slip Word upon your lip, lip Letter that you rip, rip Break me down and build me up Whatever it takes 'Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins I do whatever it takes 'Cause I love how it feels when I break the chains Whatever it takes You take me to the top, I'm ready for Whatever it takes 'Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins I do what it takes Hypocritical, egotistical Don't wanna be the parenthetical, hypothetical Working onto something that I'm proud of, out of the box An epoxy to the world and the vision we've lost I'm an apostrophe I'm just a symbol to remind you that there's more to see I'm just a product of the system, a catastrophe And yet a masterpiece, and yet I'm half-diseased And when I am deceased At least I go down to the grave and die happily Leave the body and my soul to be a part of thee I do what it takes Whatever it takes 'Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins I do whatever it takes 'Cause I love how it feels when I break the chains Whatever it takes You take me to the top, I'm ready for Whatever it takes 'Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins I do what it takes
[daily log: walking, 7.5km; carrying heavy box to post office, 0.5km]
I have a student named N__. Because the current "test prep period" for middle schoolers (colloquially called "내신") is just now ending, a lot of students are still absent, so much to N__'s dismay, she found herself stuck with me in a class where she was the only student present. I know this is unpleasant and awkward for typical teenagers of any nationality: getting stuck in an impromptu one-on-one class with a teacher.
When this happens with an advanced-level middle-schooler, I pull out my pile of randomized Type 1 and Type 2 TOEFL Speaking questions, which hinge on personal opinions and preferences, and I subject the victim to an onslaught of timed, unprepared speaking drills.
N__ was quite reluctant at first, but I shortly realized that despite her being a fairly recent arrival at Karma, she'd obviously done TOEFL style speaking drills before - she was quite competent even relative to her peers who have had to suffer my insistence on this method for several years. Further, although lacking much vocabulary and having rather poor pronunciation, she had a good instinct for making instant, logical, meaningful answers. She even introduced quite a bit of humor at several points.
One question was something along the lines of "What is your favorite season?" Without pause, she simply said:
"Argh! I hate ALL of them!"
And then she said nothing more. That was sufficient, as far as she was concerned. She folded her arms to punctuate her point.
My favorite was with a question that went as follows:
What is your favorite way of getting around? (This question is meant to evoke responses on the topic of means of daily transportation, e.g. cars vs buses vs walking vs biking, etc.).
N__ asked me for clarification on the exact meaning of the question, nodded her head twice, and then, without missing a beat, immediately began:
"In fact, I don't much like moving at all. I would prefer to just sit at home... "
I broke out laughing, which broke her concentration, so she wasn't able to give more detail. I'm sure this pleased her.
In her several months at Karma, I'd already developed an idea of her personality as one of those laconic, can't-be-bothered teenagers, and here she was showing a full self-awareness and even some humorous intentionality to this image she projected.
By the end of class, she was less sleepy-eyed and more comfortable - I think my positive feedback on her pragmatically appropriate answers, regardless of their official TOEFL quality, helped her feel more confident.
What I'm listening to right now.
Arnold Schoenberg, "String Quartet No. 4" performed by LaSalle Quartet.
This is a scheduled (automated) blog post, which will go through in the event I'm lacking an internet connection tomorrow when I might normally post.
What I might be hypothetically listening to - I'm really into that oldschool Mexican hip-hop lately, especially Control Machete, so this is a good guess, and a really amazing song, with a lot going on in it, from jazz riffs to Cuban politics, and a nice collaboration with the Mexican alt rock group Cafe Tacvba.
Control Machete, "Danzón - (feat. Café Tacuba)."
Letra.
Si crees que se le está acabando el vuelo, no Esto está comenzando El danzón ya empezó a tocar (pararara) y no ha terminado, no El paso del tiempo va imponiendo el respeto y la calidad va mano a mano con la cantidad, viene (Viene) viene marcando la pauta y el sentimiento Mi vida empieza desde adentro Siempre brota lo que siento Es verdad lo digo y me comprometo Responsable soy y lo lamento Pero creo que es el crecimiento Por ahora está en el mejor momento El amanecer siempre aparece corrigiendo al anochecer y las cosas que se ven nacer Hay que verlas madurar y crecer Viviendo por suerte y clandestinamente Más no estaba muerto solamente ausente Si paré de pronto, nunca indiferente No acabó el danzón y sigue igual que siempre Si continúa el corazón Ritmos unidos sobre ilusión Noche a noche se escucha la voz Los de tambores, acordes y son Mandar obedeciendo en el danzón Songoro cosongo songe be Songoro cosongo de mamey Que se está bailando en cada rincón Que está sonando en tu corazón Suena que suena las cartas sobre la mesa No hay quien detenga esto nadie se mueva Así es, todo tiene su tiempo y si estás dispuesto A sembrar y cultivar hay que ver el fruto madurar Hasta donde puede llegar sólo hay que desarrollar Ampliar, solamente crear es inmenso el lugar Espacio suficiente como para cohabitar Escucha mi tierra hare eco Entre las montañas se hare camino el concreto Señales de humo que van creciendo cada día más Tratando de comunicar Exponiendo los adentros a la luz como van Sin borrar nada sin tapar nada sin ocultar nada Se presentan testimonios reales El sentimiento no es más que puras verdades Reuniendo por suerte y discretamente Más no estaba lejos respectivamente Si lo que se mueve proviene del vientre No acabó el danzón y ha de seguir pa' siempre Si se ha dado la ocasión Ciertos sonidos de imaginación Día a día que visita el sol Los de tambores, acordes y son Mandar obedeciendo en el danzón Songoro cosongo songe be Songoro cosongo de mamey Es guardar silencio de movimiento Ayunar de color y sonido Ser mujer viejo y niño y dejarse llevar...
Control Machete - De Perros Amores. The video is weird, creepy, and borderline NSFW. That said, it's a scene from the eponymous movie for which this song is the title track.
La calidad de las letras disponibles en línea no es muy buena, e hice varios cambios y ajustes, pero todavía no son exactos. Parece que probablemente había mal entendido por lo menos algunas palabras. Específicamente, yo siempre he oído la línea del coro "atardece en ti" como "harta de sentir" - frase que igual incluso tiene su propio sentido dentro de la lógica de la canción. Tal vez la ambigüidad es intencional.
Letras.
Suficientes son los problemas de un solo día Como para preocuparse del futuro (¿Cual?) Olvidamos que para poder llegar al otro lado Hay que empezar derribando el primero de los muros Nos pasamos la vida viendo triunfos y fracasos Conseguidos en tiempo pretérito ¿Cuantas veces se ha detenido el sol a mediodía? (¿Cuantas?) ¿Por que ya no quiere vivir más atardeceres? (¿Cuantas veces?)
El negro dejara de ser negro sin el blanco El bueno dejara de ser bueno sin el malo
Rutina repetitiva que constantemente termina Puede empezar de nuevo da fruto la semilla ¿Por que envejece por que tu piel se va arrugando? El paso del tiempo una broma te está jugando ¿Sabes que la codicia puede dejarte en la ruina? ¿Quieres solucionarlo? ¡borrarlo de tu vida! de perros amores ¡borrarlo de tu vida! de perros amores ¡borrarlo de tu vida!
si alguna vez si alguna vez si alguna vez si alguna vez
Amanece el alma atardece en ti
Amanece el alma atardece en ti
acción es en real voluntad sensación, la velocidad fé e ilusión orgánica coincidencia armónica
No existe ningún borrador mágico para borrar todos los errores cometidos ¿Que pasaría si las flores solo se marchitaran? ¿O solo se quedaran como botones? Duele la realidad, duele la fantasía solo se queda en los sueños ¿Que pasaría si nunca muero? ¿y no tuviera la oportunidad de nacer de nuevo?
Amanece el alma (vuelve otra vez, aparece) atardece en ti (desapareces, te vas y vuelves)
Amanece el alma (vuelve otra vez, aparece) atardece en ti (desapareces, te vas y vuelves)
Amanece el alma (vuelve otra vez, aparece) atardece en ti (desapareces, te vas y vuelves)
Amanece el alma (vuelve otra vez, aparece) atardece en ti (desapareces, te vas y vuelves)
We were doing short-speech responses to speaking questions. The question was, "Do you like your family, or not? What are the best and worst parts of your family?"
6th grader Jaehyeon, incorporating a very long pause as he groped for a possible answer, said, "The best part of my family is... me!"
"I see," I said, mildly amused. "So, what's the worst part of your family, then?" I prompted.
"The worst part is... not me. The other ones."
At that, I laughed. At least he was being consistent.
What I'm listening to right now.
Imagine Dragons, "Believer." This was a song recently chosen by one of my students for a CC class. It's grown on me, as tends to happen when I teach a song to several classes over as many days. I like how it's structured like a good debate speech: "First things first... second things second," etc. I pointed this out to the students and they just groaned.
Lyrics.
First things first I'ma say all the words inside my head I'm fired up and tired of the way that things have been, oh ooh The way that things have been, oh ooh Second thing second Don't you tell me what you think that I can be I'm the one at the sail, I'm the master of my sea, oh ooh The master of my sea, oh ooh I was broken from a young age Taking my sulking to the masses Write down my poems for the few That looked at me, took to me, shook to me, feeling me Singing from heartache from the pain Taking my message from the veins Speaking my lesson from the brain Seeing the beauty through the ... pain You made me a, you made me a believer, believer (Pain, pain) You break me down, you build me up, believer, believer (Pain) Oh let the bullets fly, oh let them rain My life, my love, my drive, it came from (Pain) You made me a, you made me a believer, believer Third things third Send a prayer to the ones up above All the hate that you've heard has turned your spirit to a dove, oh ooh Your spirit up above, oh ooh I was choking in the crowd Building my rain up in the cloud Falling like ashes to the ground Hoping my feelings, they would drown But they never did, ever lived, ebbing and flowing Inhibited, limited 'Til it broke up and it rained down It rained down, like ... pain You made me a, you made me a believer, believer (Pain, pain) You break me down, you built me up, believer, believer (Pain) I let the bullets fly, oh let them rain My life, my love, my drive, it came from (Pain) You made me a, you made me a believer, believer Last things last By the grace of the fire and the flames You're the face of the future, the blood in my veins, oh ooh The blood in my veins, oh ooh But they never did, ever lived, ebbing and flowing Inhibited, limited 'Til it broke up and it rained down It rained down, like ... pain You made me a, you made me a believer, believer (Pain, pain) You break me down, you built me up, believer, believer (Pain) I let the bullets fly, oh let them rain My life, my love, my drive, it came from (Pain) You made me a, you made me a believer, believer
Heilung, "Krigsgaldr." This looks like part of some weird Scandinavian neo-Paganist thing. But it is interesting. I find these "back-to-roots" European nativist movements culturally intriguing, but feel it's regrettable the way they get coopted by various racist and authoritarianist ideologues. I have no idea what specific ideologies are associated with this Danish group, but if they turn out to be offensive, I offer my apologies in advance. I mostly just find it linguistically and culturally interesting, and would remark on the interesting coincidences with ancient cultures all over the world - these performers are not that different from e.g. efforts to recover or reconstruct Native American pre-contact cultures. I think the non-English parts, below, are no variety of modern Scandinavian, but rather intended to be some kind of "proto-Nordic" as recovered from some ancient runic inscriptions - that's what is linguistically interesting to me.
Lyrics.
Min Warb Naseu Wilr Made Thaim I Bormotha Hauni
Hu War Hu War Opkam Har a Hit Lot
Got Nafiskr Orf Auim Suimade Foki Afa Galande
What am I supposed to do If I want to talk about peace and understanding But you only understand the language of the sword What if I want to make you understand that the path you chose leads to downfall But you only understand the language of the sword What if I want to tell you to leave me and my beloved ones in peace But you only understand the language of the sword
I let the blade do the talking... So my tongue shall become iron And my words the mighty roar of war Revealing my divine anger´s arrow shall strike
All action for the good of all I see my reflection in your eyes But my new age has just begun
The sword is soft In the fire of the furnace It hungers to be hit And wants to have a hundred sisters In the coldest state of their existence They may dance the maddest In the morass of the red rain
Beloved brother enemy I sing my sword song for you The lullaby of obliteration So I can wake up with a smile And bliss in my heart And bliss in my heart And bliss in my heart
Coexistence, Conflict, combat Devastation, regeneration, transformation That is the best I can do for you
I see a grey gloom on the horizon That promises a powerful sun to rise To melt away all moons It will make the old fires of purification Look like dying embers Look like dying embers Look like dying embers
Min Warb Naseu Wilr Made Thaim I Bormotha Hauni
Hu War Hu War Opkam Har a Hit Lot
Got Nafiskr Orf Auim Suimade Foki Afa Galande
Hu War Hu War Opkam Har a Hit Lot
Ylir Men Aero Their Era Mela Os
I found some vague gestures at translation, and will only offer that the part I used as this blog post's title, "Foki Afa Galande", seems to correspond to a meaning "land of shining meadows".
The official video of the same song released by the group is interesting, too.
Today is "Buddhamas" (Buddha's birthday, observed, in South Korea, as a single middle-of-the-week holiday).
It's a day off from work, but in the middle of such a busy period, with the talent show coming up and putting in extra hours every other day this week, its feels less like a bonus day and more like a deserved moment of rest. So that's what I made it. I have been reading a novel. I used to read novels all the time, but in fact I think this is the first novel I've worked on in 2018. I simply don't read fiction anymore. I read history - a lot. I read poetry, and online blogs about all kind of topics from politics to linguistics to philosophy. But I haven't been much for novel-reading.
I haven't decided if I like this novel. So I'm going to remain mysterious about what it is. If I actually finish it, it will be my first novel in over a year, and maybe I should report on it.
Meanwhile, what I'm listening to right now.
Nine Inch Nails, "We're In This Together."
Lyrics.
I've become impossible holding on to when When everything seemed to matter more The two of us All used and beaten up Watching fate as it flow down the path we Have chose You and me We're in this together now None of them can stop us now We will make it through somehow You and me If the world should break in two Until the very end of me Until the very end of you Awake to the sound as they peel apart the skin They pick and they pull Trying to get their fingers in Well they've got to kill what we've found Well they've got to hate what we fear Well they've got to make it go away Well they've got to make it disappear The farther I fall I'm beside you As lost as I get I will find you The deeper the wound I'm inside you For ever and ever I'm a part of You and me We're in this together now None of them can stop us now We will make it through somehow You and me If the world should break in two Until the very end of me Until the very end of you All that we were is gone we have to hold on All that we were is gone we have to hold on When all our hope is gone we have to hold on All that we were is gone but we can hold on You and me We're in this together now None of them can stop us now We will make it through somehow You and me Even after everything You're the queen and I'm the king Nothing else means anything
Ha Ha Yeah BBC follow me Bounce like this eh eh Bounce like Block B in the House Z and pop time Muzic is officially over now Bye guyz Hi ladies 징한 놈들 나왔다 빠라 바라 밥 나팔을 불어라 어디 몸 좀 풀어 볼까나 다라 다라 닻을 높이 올려라 뻣뻣한 몸치 박치들 우리 보고 배워 쿵치 타치 Rhythm AH We bobbin' to the music music This song is groovy groovy 눈 깜빡 해도 아른거리는 아우라 baby 둔탁한 비트 위로 짖어대 왈왈 eh hey Move Right now 어디 수위 좀 높여 볼까 떠들 준비들 되셨나 우예 모두 놀라 윽박 지르는 거야 다 꿈 깨 발악해 점잔 떨지 말고 Everthing okey dokey 참지마 그냥 욱해 욱해 Yeah 아무나 다 데리고 와 Rock and roll Let’s go 닐리리 라라라 닐리리야 닐리리맘보 닐리리 라라라 닐리리야 닐리리맘보 닐리리 라라라 닐리리야 닐리리맘보 We bobbin' to the music music This song is groovy groovy 아잇 작정하고 나와라 사람마다 정신 나간 Holiday 이 곳 분위긴 여름바다 걸리적 거리는 윗도리 탈의해 어수선하게 벙찌지 말아 양치기 소년 같이 사방을 전전하며 Blah Blah 동해도 내가 다이빙하면 아담한 풀장 죄다 박살내라 Click Clack boom pow Come on everybody just tap tap Twist your body 아무리 죽을 힘을 다해서 덤벼도 쨉 쨉도 안돼 안돼 제대로 놀아줘 This is real B.B 닐리리맘보 We be big pimpin' 박수치고 손들어 이건 바이킹 탈진할 때까지 계속 샤우팅 Bbbbrrrrrrrr 우예 모두 놀라 윽박 지르는 거야 다 꿈 깨 발악해 점잔 떨지 말고 Everthing okey dokey 참지마 그냥 욱해 욱해 Yeah 아무나 다 데리고 와 Rock and roll 닐리리 라라라 닐리리야 닐리리맘보 닐리리 라라라 닐리리야 닐리리맘보 Go left go left go left right left Go left go left go left right Woops 우예 모두 놀라 윽박 지르는 거야 다 꿈 깨 발악해 점잔 떨지 말고 Everthing okey dokey 참지마 그냥 욱해 욱해 Yeah 아무나 다 데리고 와 Rock and roll Let’s go 닐리리 라라라 닐리리야 닐리리맘보 닐리리 라라라 닐리리야 닐리리맘보 닐리리 라라라 닐리리야 닐리리맘보 We going to the top forever We going take it to the next level
I recently learned that the famous classic rock song, "Smoke On The Water," by British rockers Deep Purple, was written about events at Montreux, Switzerland, which took place there in 1971 at the same time that the famous Russian-American author Vladimir Nabokov was resident there. It's interesting to imagine Nabokov and the members of Deep Purple interacting in a small French-Swiss town. Nabokov was of a different generation, but he might have been interested in rock music, given his fascination with other aspects of emergent pop culture.
What I'm listening to right now.
Deep Purple, "Smoke On The Water."
We all came out to Montreux On the Lake Geneva shoreline To make records with a mobile We didn't have much time Frank Zappa and the Mothers Were at the best place around But some stupid with a flare gun Burned the place to the ground
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky Smoke on the water
They burned down the gambling house It died with an awful sound Funky Claude was running in and out Pulling kids out the ground When it all was over We had to find another place But Swiss time was running out It seemed that we would lose the race
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky Smoke on the water
We ended up at the Grand Hotel It was empty cold and bare But with the Rolling truck Stones thing just outside Making our music there With a few red lights and a few old beds We make a place to sweat No matter what we get out of this I know, I know we'll never forget
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky Smoke on the water
Childish Gambino (AKA Donald Glover) has a new song / video out. It's quite remarkable, and has received high critical praise from important media™. There is a detailed parsing of the video and song at Huffington Post, for example.
It's a rap song. It's also a dance composition. It's cinematography and poetry. It's also hefty, deep and dark social criticism. Make of it what you will. I'm impressed.
What I'm listening to right now.
Childish Gambino, "This is America." Is this America?
[Bridge: Childish Gambino & Young Thug] We just wanna party Party just for you We just want the money Money just for you I know you wanna party Party just for me Girl, you got me dancin' (yeah, girl, you got me dancin') Dance and shake the frame We just wanna party (yeah) Party just for you (yeah) We just want the money (yeah) Money just for you (you) I know you wanna party (yeah) Party just for me (yeah) Girl, you got me dancin' (yeah, girl, you got me dancin') Dance and shake the frame (you)
[Chorus: Childish Gambino] This is America Don't catch you slippin' up Don't catch you slippin' up Look what I'm whippin' up This is America (woo) Don't catch you slippin' up Don't catch you slippin' up Look what I'm whippin' up
[Verse 1: Childish Gambino, Blocboy JB, Slim Jxmmi, Young Thug, & 21 Savage] This is America (skrrt, skrrt, woo) Don't catch you slippin' up (ayy) Look at how I'm livin' now Police be trippin' now (woo) Yeah, this is America (woo, ayy) Guns in my area (word, my area) I got the strap (ayy, ayy) I gotta carry 'em Yeah, yeah, I'ma go into this (ugh) Yeah, yeah, this is guerilla (woo) Yeah, yeah, I'ma go get the bag Yeah, yeah, or I'ma get the pad Yeah, yeah, I'm so cold like yeah (yeah) I'm so dope like yeah (woo) We gon' blow like yeah (straight up, uh)
[Refrain: Choir & Childish Gambino] Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, tell somebody You go tell somebody Grandma told me Get your money, Black man (get your money) Get your money, Black man (get your money) Get your money, Black man (get your, Black man) Get your money, Black man (get your, Black man) Black man
[Chorus: Childish Gambino, Slim Jxmmi, & Young Thug] This is America (woo, ayy) Don't catch you slippin' up (woo, woo, don't catch you slippin', now) Don't catch you slippin' up (ayy, woah) Look what I'm whippin' up (Slime!) This is America (yeah, yeah) Don't catch you slippin' up (woah, ayy) Don't catch you slippin' up (ayy, woo) Look what I'm whippin' up (ayy)
[Verse 2: Childish Gambino, Quavo, Young Thug, & 21 Savage] Look how I'm geekin' out (hey) I'm so fitted (I'm so fitted, woo) I'm on Gucci (I'm on Gucci) I'm so pretty (yeah, yeah) I'm gon' get it (ayy, I'm gon' get it) Watch me move (blaow) This a celly (ha) That's a tool (yeah) On my Kodak (woo, Black) Ooh, know that (yeah, know that, hold on) Get it (get it, get it) Ooh, work it (21) Hunnid bands, hunnid bands, hunnid bands (hunnid bands) Contraband, contraband, contraband (contraband) I got the plug in Oaxaca (woah) They gonna find you like blocka (blaow)
[Refrain: Choir, Childish Gambino, & Young Thug] Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, tell somebody America, I just checked my following list and You go tell somebody You mothafuckas owe me Grandma told me Get your money, Black man (black man) Get your money, Black man (black man) Get your money, Black man (get your, Black man) Get your money, Black man (get your, Black man) Black man (One, two, three, get down) Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, tell somebody You go tell somebody Grandma told me, "Get your money" Get your money, Black man (Black man) Get your money, Black man (Black man) Get your money, Black man (Black man) Get your money, Black man (Black man) Black man
[Outro: Young Thug] You just a Black man in this world You just a barcode, ayy You just a Black man in this world Drivin' expensive foreigns, ayy You just a big dawg, yeah I kenneled him in the backyard No probably ain't life to a dog For a big dog
The Karma Talent Show is coming up. A group of elementary students selected this song to sing in the show - I made them choose the song, so that when they complained about it later, I could point back at them and say, "hey, it was your choice." That was a useful decision, which I fall back on almost daily. I'm trying to get them to practice it. My own musical skills are limited, so it's a bit like the blind leading the blind. But I guess it's going okay.
What I'm listening to right now.
Chris Brown and Justin Bieber, "Next To You." Don't pay attention to the video - I'm not sure it's relevant to the song.
Lyrics
You've got that smile That only heaven can make I pray to God everyday That you keep that smile
Yeah, you are my dream There's not a thing I won't do I'll give my life up for you 'Cause you are my dream
And baby, everything that I have is yours You will never go cold or hungry I'll be there when you're insecure Let you know that you're always lovely Girl, 'cause you are The only thing that I got right now
One day when the sky is falling I'll be standing right next to you Right next to you Nothing will ever come between us 'Cause I'll be standing right next to you Right next to you If you had my child You would make my life complete Just to have your eyes on a little me That'd be mine forever
And baby, everything that I have is yours You will never go cold or hungry I'll be there when you're insecure Let you know that you're always lovely Girl, 'cause you are The only thing that I got right now
One day when the sky is falling I'll be standing right next to you Right next to you Nothing will ever come between us I'll be standing right next to you Right next to you
We're made for one another (one another) Me and you (and you, and you, and you) And I have no fear I know we'll make it through
One day when the sky is falling I'll be standing right next to you Oh oh oh oh
One day when the sky is falling (when the sky is falling, falling) I'll be standing right next to you (right next to you) Right next to you (right next to you) Nothing will ever come between us (nothing will ever) I'll be standing right next to you Right next to you (right next to you)
Oh nah nah Oh yeah Stand by my side, side, side When the sky falls down I'll be there, I'll be there
You've got that smile That only heaven can make I pray to God everyday To keep you forever Ooh
Well I guess I'm having a hard week. No further comment.
What I'm listening to right now.
Taylor Swift, "Begin Again." She's really quite a talented lyricist, in my opinion. Her language is both contemporarily authentic yet still meets a lot of the traditional criteria of poetic language.
Lyrics.
Took a deep breath in the mirror He didn't like it when I wore high heels But I do
Turn the lock and put my headphones on He always said he didn't get this song but I do, I do
Walked in expecting you'd be late But you got here early and you stand and wave I walk to you
You pull my chair out and help me in And you don't know how nice that is But I do
And you throw your head back laughing Like a little kid I think it's strange that you think I'm funny cause He never did I've been spending the last 8 months Thinking all love ever does Is break and burn and end But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again
You said you never met one girl who Had as many James Taylor records as you But I do
We tell stories and you don't know why I'm coming off a little shy But I do
And you throw your head back laughing Like a little kid I think it's strange that you think I'm funny cause He never did
I've been spending the last 8 months Thinking all love ever does Is break and burn and end But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again
And we walked down the block, to my car And I almost brought him up But you start to talk about the movies That your family watches every single Christmas And I want to talk about that And for the first time What's past is past
And you throw your head back laughing Like a little kid I think it's strange that you think I'm funny cause He never did I've been spending the last 8 months Thinking all love ever does Is break and burn and end But on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again
I don't have much to say. I'm going through a rough spot, in terms of lack of creativity and overall poor affect. I'll just plug along with work, which is busy enough.
Meanwhile, what I'm listening to right now.
Neko Case, "In California." The video, incidentally, was directed by a Korean director. There seem to be a lot of those operating in L.A.
Lyrics.
In California I dream of snow And all the places we used to go With the night falling down With the night falling down Now I'm living in Korea Town Waking to the sound of car alarms
I remember your face when I showed you the ticket Said you were happy for me, your heart wasn't in it Just a phone call away Now there's nothing to say As the days roll by, disconnected
In the land where the sun is always shining I'm crying alone, palm trees they laugh at me Another fool playing songs that don't matter For people who chatter endlessly
Another suicide on the 405 The Black Dahlia she smiles and smiles It's the same old town that bled her dry One more starlet one more time Bound to make it do or die Talk a walk to Bonnie Brae Try to wash these dreams away They try to tell me L.A is beautiful when it rains
My blog-hosting server was down today for quite a while. So this post is late (at least, relative to the posting schedule I try to keep for myself. But here it is. I don't have much to say.
Several of my students were singing, with passable competence, a song I recognized from 25 years ago. I was surprised. But it turned out the song had been hijacked as the soundtrack for some comedy meme video that was circulating - it wasn't that they'd decided to go retro or anything. 'Retro' is not an interesting cultural space to Koreans, in general, in my experience.
What I'm listening to right now.
4 Non Blondes, "What's Up." I remember this song as being part of my "soundtrack" during the time I was working nights at UPS while doing some graduate coursework at the University of Minnesota, and when Michelle and I got married. I think she liked this song, too.
Lyrics.
Twenty-five years and my life is still Trying to get up that great big hill of hope For a destination And I realized quickly when I knew I should That the world was made up of this brotherhood of man For whatever that means And so I cry sometimes When I'm lying in bed Just to get it all out What's in my head And I am feeling a little peculiar And so I wake in the morning And I step outside And I take a deep breath and I get real high And I scream at the top of my lungs What's going on? And I say, hey hey hey hey I said hey, what's going on? And I say, hey hey hey hey I said hey, what's going on? ooh ooh and I try, oh my god do I try I try all the time, in this institution And I pray, oh my god do I pray I pray every single day For a revolution And so I cry sometimes When I'm lying in bed Just to get it all out What's in my head And I am feeling a little peculiar And so I wake in the morning And I step outside And I take a deep breath and I get real high And I scream at the top of my lungs What's going on? And I say, hey hey hey hey I said hey, what's going on? And I say, hey hey hey hey I said hey, what's going on?
Sesame Street Co., "The Alligator King." This is actually a really good song. Yet despite being from Sesame Street, it's probably too hard (in terms of vocabulary) to teach to my students for whom it would age-appropriate.
Lyrics.
One two three four five six seven! Said the Alligator King to his seven sons, "I'm feeling mighty down. Whichever of you can cheer me up Will get to wear my crown."
His first son brought seven oyster pearls From the bottom of the China Sea.
The second gave him seven statues of girls With clocks where their stomachs should be.
The third son gave him seven rubies From the sheikdom Down There Beneath. The King thought the rubies were cherries, And he broke off seven of his teeth.
The fourth son tried to cheer him up With seven lemon drops. The King said, "I'm sorry son, Since that ruby episode, I just haven't got the chops."
The fifth son brought the King perfume In seven fancy silver jars; The King took a whiff, and he broke out in spots 'Cause it smelled like cheap cigars.
The sixth son gave him seven diamond rings To wear upon his toes. The King snagged his foot on the royal red rug And crumpled up his nose.
The seventh son of the Alligator King Was a thoughtful little whelp. He said, "Daddy, appears to me That you could use a little help."
Said the Alligator King to his seventh son, "My son, you win the crown. You didn't bring me diamonds or rubies, but You helped me up when I was down. Take the crown; it's yours, my son. I hope you don't mind the dents. I got it on sale at a discount store - Cost me all of seven cents!"
I had some weird dreams. I was in some kind of future-dystopian world where everything was subdivided into these enclosed hive-like spaces, but each space was the size of a city. So you could go from city to city via these doors in the hive walls. And most of the cities were run down, post-apocalyptic places, with gangs of wild children and insane people running things.
So I was trying to find the city where life was tolerable. It was like traversing a scaled-up version Borges' infinite library, but each room, instead of being a small study stocked with books, was a city. This might be a nice conceit for a novel. I'll get right on that.
What I'm listening to right now.
Cold, "Bleed."
Lyrics.
I'm feeling crossed, I take it inside Burn up the pain, my thoughts are strange Just like the things I used to know Just like the tree that fell, I heard it If art is still inside I feel it
I wanna' bleed, show the world all that I have inside (I wanna' show you all the pain) I wanna' scream, let the blood flow that keeps me alive (I wanna' make you feel the same)
Take all these strings, they call my veins Wrap them around, every fucking thing Presence of people not for me Well I must remain in tune forever My love is music, I will marry melody
I wanna' bleed show the world all that I have inside (I wanna' show you all the pain) I wanna' scream let the blood flow that keeps me alive (I wanna' make you feel the same) I said I wanna bleed I wanna feel (Show you all the pain) I wanna scream I wanna feel (Make you feel the same)
Won't you let me take you for a ride You can stop the world, try to change my mind Won't you let me show you how it feels You can stop the world, but you won't change me I need music I need music I need music To set me free To let me bleed
So these guys made a pop song in Italian complaining about people's failure to use the subjunctive properly. On the one hand, this is grammar peevery, and thus a linguist (such as I pretend to be on occasion) can't really be expected to approve. Grammar peevery is in fact diametrically opposed to rational, descriptive linguistics. Nevertheless, peevery can be entertaining, and it's funny to see Italians singing about grammar.
Cosa sto ascoltando al momento.
Lorenzo Baglioni, "Il Congiuntivo."
Testo.
[Intro] Che io sia Che io fossi Che io sia stato Ouooh
[Strofa 1] Oggigiorno chi corteggia incontra sempre più difficoltà Coi verbi al congiuntivo Quindi è tempo di riaprire il manuale di grammatica, che è Che è molto educativo Gerundio, imperativo Infinito, indicativo Molti tempi e molte coniugazioni, ma
[Ritornello] Il congiuntivo ha un ruolo distintivo E si usa per eventi che non sono reali È relativo a ciò che è soggettivo A differenza di altri modi verbali E adesso che lo sai anche tu Non lo sbagli più
[Strofa 2] Nel caso che il periodo sia della tipologia dell’irrealtà (si sa) Ci vuole il congiuntivo Tipo “Se tu avessi usato il congiuntivo trapassato Con lei non sarebbe andata poi male” Condizionale... Segui la consecutio temporum
[Ritornello] Il congiuntivo ha un ruolo distintivo E si usa per eventi che non sono reali È relativo a ciò che è soggettivo A differenza di altri modi verbali E adesso che lo sai anche tu Non lo sbagli più
[Bridge] E adesso ripassiamo un po' di verbi al congiuntivo: Che io sia (presente) Che io fossi (imperfetto) Che io sia stato (passato) Che fossi stato (trapassato) Che io abbia (presente) Che io avessi (imperfetto) Che abbia avuto (passato) Che avessi avuto (trapassato) Che io sarei...
[Ritornello] Il congiuntivo come ti dicevo Si usa in questo tipo di costrutto sintattico Dubitativo, quasi riflessivo Descritto dal seguente esempio didattico E adesso che lo sai anche tu Non lo sbagli più
I suppose you could say I'm a bit of a fan of the Japanese polymathic popstar Genki Sudo. I've posted atleast3 of his videos on this here blog before.
He and his group WORLD ORDER (all caps, please) made a new music video, darkly satirizing America's twitterer-in-chief.
What I'm listening to right now.
WORLD ORDER, "Let's Start World War 3."
歌詞 (I'm not sure this all the lyrics, but it might be - the song's actual words seem pretty short).
"We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city in every foreign capital and in every hall of power. From this day forward a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward it's going to be only America First. America First!"
つまらない日々に 終わりを告げる男が 世界を救うため この世に遂に現れた お金持ちで背も高い プロレスもできて頭も良い 映画に出てくるような 本物のヒーロー Let’s start World War 3 We’re gonna have a party
あなたの金髪に 青い瞳に憧れ 僕らはどこまでも ついていきます Let’s start World War 3 We’re gonna have a party
"Let’s grab them by the pussy"
Let’s start World War 3 Can't break out from this feeling Let’s start World War 3
"We will make America wealthy again We will make America proud again We will make America safe again And yes, together We will make America great again"
Translation of the Japanese part above (from the subtitles).
On a boring day A man who speaks of the end and wants to save the world finally appeared He's rich and tall And has a mind that can even understand WWE Like from a real hero Right out of a film
I yearn for your blonde hair and blue eyes Wherever you go We will follow you
I decided to spend the day making a backup file of this here blog thingy™. That's 14 MB of just text - not even counting the pictures, which should be backed up separately (and which I still need to work on, because there's no quick extract of those files, except in the case of the newer ones where I proactively adopted a more back-up-able storage method).
That's what I get for 13 years of blogging.
Then, just for the hell of it, since I happen to have a webserver (apache) and appropriate database (MySQL) running on my desktop at the moment, I hacked together a wordpress instance and "published" a clone of my blog on my desktop, just to prove I still have a few technical skills. It took me about 3 hours to get a passable instance (sans local pictures) up and running. Anyway, I can say that as long as I keep my backups up-to-date, my blog is fully recoverable even if my bloghosting company meets a bad end for whatever reason. Here's a screenshot of the CAVEATDVMPTRVCK doppelgänger I slapped together:
What I'm listening to right now.
Younger Brother, "Train."
Lyrics.
The world flashing past So many others moving so fast I feel my heart slow As we go under I don't bow down Nothing left undecided Upon steel on steel Through these cuts in me I've No question who was here first Many dreams many lifetimes Any of which could be me Accept that I'm the one unable to move upon this machine Upon this machine
On a caravan in motion Alone in crowds just like me I fell between the moments I fell between the ideas Cuz when it runs around the windows Nothing here is still All the patterns colliding Through these villages and hills So many dreams so many lifetimes Any of which could be me Accept that I'm the one unable to move upon this machine
There's no one else, no one else, no one else, no one else There's no one else, no one else, no one else, no one else
There's no one else, no one else, no one else, no one can help me now Help me I'm stuck in this moving thing Nothing is what it seems No getting off this machine
I finally got motivated to repair my linux desktop that I broke about 6 months ago. So... I'm obsessively messing around with config files and various arcana of Ubuntu Linux.
What I'm listening to right now.
David Bowie, "No Control."
Lyrics
Stay away from the future Back away from the light It's all deranged - no control
Sit tight in your corner Don't tell God your plans It's all deranged No control
If I could control tomorrow's haze The darkened shore wouldn't bother me If I can't control the web we weave My life will be lost in the fallen leaves
Every single move's uncertain Don't tell God your plans It's all deranged No control
I should live my life on bended knee If I can't control my destiny You've gotta have a scheme You've gotta have a plan In the world of today, for tomorrow's man
No control
Stay away from the future Don't tell God your plans It's all deranged No control
Forbidden words, deafen me In memory, no control See how far a sinful man Burns his tracks, his bloody robes You've gotta have a scheme You've gotta have a plan In the world of today, for tomorrow's man
I should live my life on bended knee If I can't control my destiny No control I can't believe I've no control It's all deranged
I can't believe I've no control It's all deranged Deranged Deranged
Вступление: - Я похож на птицу! - На принца? - На принца или на орла. Эй! Я беру вторую бутылку розового вина.
Припев: Feduk Здесь так красиво, я перестаю дышать. Звуки на минимум, чтобы не мешать. Эти облака - фиолетовая вата. Магия цветов со льдом в наших стаканах.
Здесь так красиво, я перестаю дышать. Звуки на минимум, чтобы не мешать. Эти облака - фиолетовая вата. Магия цветов со льдом в наших стаканах.
Первый Куплет: Элджей Девочка - пятница, не хочет быть сегодня одна. Какая разница где я, не отвечаю на номера. Можешь даже не набирать, можешь даже не набирать. Тут угарать, я хочу угарать.
Мы уже в океане дискотек, алкоголя и мариваны. No stress. Хаваем как M&M's dance-dance. Кис-кис, вдыхай меня через кес, через кес. Моя волшебная палочка в твоих руках. Крекс-пекс!
Здесь так красиво, я перестаю дышать. Звуки на минимум, чтобы не мешать. Эти облака - фиолетовая вата. Фиолетовая вата и вокруг так пиздато!
Твои кенты лошки, а я без башки, Но не будем мы играть в кошки-мышки. Твои ладошки уже далеко зашли. Я хочу тебя, а еще хочу сижку.
Припев: Feduk Здесь так красиво, я перестаю дышать. Звуки на минимум, чтобы не мешать. Эти облака - фиолетовая вата. Магия цветов со льдом в наших стаканах.
Здесь так красиво, я перестаю дышать. Звуки на минимум, чтобы не мешать. Эти облака - фиолетовая вата. Магия цветов со льдом в наших стаканах.
Второй Куплет: Feduk Я бы жил в этом лете в том самом моменте, Когда мы летели на байке. Эти пальмы и ветер, пальмы и ветер, Фото пальмы в алом закате.
Мы на гребне волны скользим и катим, Все что так долго копили - тратим. И все что так долго копили – Вам придется сегодня потратить. Еа!
Припев: Feduk Здесь так красиво, я перестаю дышать. Звуки на минимум, чтобы не мешать. Эти облака - фиолетовая вата. Магия цветов со льдом в наших стаканах.
Здесь так красиво, я перестаю дышать. Звуки на минимум, чтобы не мешать. Эти облака - фиолетовая вата. Магия цветов со льдом в наших стаканах.
Adriano Celentano, "Prisencolinensinainciusol." This song is nonsense. Literally. It's an Italian comedian's effort, in 1972, to sing in English without using English - he said he wanted to make a song about the failure to communicate. Which makes sense - more than the song does, right? Anyway, the melody and beat are quite earwormy, actually.
Lyrics
Prisencolinensinainciusol In de col men seivuan prisencolinensinainciusol ol rait
Uis de seim cius nau op de seim Ol uait men in de colobos dai Trrr - ciak is e maind beghin de col Bebi stei ye push yo oh
Uis de seim cius nau op de seim Ol uoit men in de colobos dai Not s de seim laikiu de promisdin Iu nau in trabol lovgiai ciu gen
In do camo not cius no bai for lov so Op op giast cam lau ue cam lov ai Oping tu stei laik cius go mo men Iu bicos tue men cold dobrei goris Oh sandei
Ai ai smai sesler Eni els so co uil piso ai In de col men seivuan Prisencolinensinainciusol ol rait
Ai ai smai senflecs Eni go for doing peso ai Prisencolinensinainciusol ol rait
Uel ai sint no ai giv de sint Laik de cius nobodi oh gud taim lev feis go Uis de seim et seim cius go no ben Let de cius end kai for not de gai giast stei
Ai ai smai senflecs Eni go for doing peso ai In de col mein seivuan Prisencolinensinainciusol ol rait
Lu nei si not sicidor Ah es la bebi la dai big iour
Ai aismai senflecs Eni go for doing peso ai In de col mein seivuan Prisencolinensinainciusol ol rait
Lu nei si not sicodor Ah es la bebi la dai big iour
Pointer Sisters, "You Gotta Believe." The remarkable video is by Nina Paley, who has been blogged here before.
Lyrics.
[Intro] Doodle wop a-rat-a-tat boom I'll make the sound of a jet plane zoom Doodle wop a-rat-a-tat boom I'll make the sound of a fire
[Hook] You got to believe in somethin' Why not believe in me? You got to believe in somethin' Why not believe in me?
[Verse One] What have I, I done to you To make you mean And treat me the way you do? Go on and wave your flag, brother Start your revolution I'm willin' to let you do your thing Tell me why are you plannin' a compromise?
[Hook]
Take the chain off your brain Take the chain off your brain Stop, take a look at yourself Stop ridiculin' everybody else
The Chainsmokers (with Coldplay), "Something Just Like This." The video is "unofficial," but cute and sappy. This was a song chosen by one of my middle-school CC classes recently. I'm letting them choose their own songs completely, now. It's going pretty well, actually.
Lyrics
I've been reading books of old The legends and the myths Achilles and his gold Hercules and his gifts Spiderman's control And Batman with his fists And clearly I don't see myself upon that list
But she said, "Where d'you wanna go? How much you wanna risk? I'm not looking for somebody With some superhuman gifts. Some superhero, Some fairytale bliss. Just something I can turn to. Somebody I can kiss. I want something just like this."
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo Oh, I want something just like this Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Oh, I want something just like this I want something just like this
I've been reading books of old The legends and the myths The testaments they told The moon and its eclipse And Superman unrolls A suit before he lifts But I'm not the kind of person that it fits
She said, "Where d'you wanna go? How much you wanna risk? I'm not looking for somebody With some superhuman gifts. Some superhero, Some fairytale bliss. Just something I can turn to. Somebody I can miss. I want something just like this. I want something just like this."
Oh, I want something just like this Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo Oh, I want something just like this Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
"Where d'you wanna go? How much you wanna risk? I'm not looking for somebody With some superhuman gifts. Some superhero, Some fairytale bliss. Just something I can turn to. Somebody I can kiss. I want something just like this."
Oh, I want something just like this Oh, I want something just like this Oh, I want something just like this
The internet wins the day. It turns out that H.P. Lovecraft's apocalyptically-themed poem "Nemesis" is a perfect metrical fit for Billy Joel's "Piano Man."
And then someone made it happen.
What I'm listening to right now.
Julian Velard, "Nemesis" - lyrics by H.P. Lovecraft, melody by Billy Joel.
Lyrics - "Nemesis."
Thro’ the ghoul-guarded gateways of slumber, Past the wan-moon’d abysses of night, I have liv’d o’er my lives without number, I have sounded all things with my sight; And I struggle and shriek ere the daybreak, being driven to madness with fright.
I have whirl’d with the earth at the dawning, When the sky was a vaporous flame; I have seen the dark universe yawning, Where the black planets roll without aim; Where they roll in their horror unheeded, without knowledge or lustre or name.
I had drifted o’er seas without ending, Under sinister grey-clouded skies That the many-fork’d lightning is rending, That resound with hysterical cries; With the moans of invisible daemons that out of the green waters rise.
I have plung’d like a deer thro’ the arches Of the hoary primordial grove, Where the oaks feel the presence that marches And stalks on where no spirit dares rove; And I flee from a thing that surrounds me, and leers thro’ dead branches above.
I have stumbled by cave-ridden mountains That rise barren and bleak from the plain, I have drunk of the fog-foetid fountains That ooze down to the marsh and the main; And in hot cursed tarns I have seen things I care not to gaze on again.
I have scann’d the vast ivy-clad palace, I have trod its untenanted hall, Where the moon writhing up from the valleys Shews the tapestried things on the wall; Strange figures discordantly woven, which I cannot endure to recall.
I have peer’d from the casement in wonder At the mouldering meadows around, At the many-roof’d village laid under The curse of a grave-girdled ground; And from rows of white urn-carven marble I listen intently for sound.
I have haunted the tombs of the ages, I have flown on the pinions of fear Where the smoke-belching Erebus rages, Where the jokulls loom snow-clad and drear: And in realms where the sun of the desert consumes what it never can cheer.
I was old when the Pharaohs first mounted The jewel-deck’d throne by the Nile; I was old in those epochs uncounted When I, and I only, was vile; And Man, yet untainted and happy, dwelt in bliss on the far Arctic isle.
Oh, great was the sin of my spirit, And great is the reach of its doom; Not the pity of Heaven can cheer it, Nor can respite be found in the tomb: Down the infinite aeons come beating the wings of unmerciful gloom.
Thro’ the ghoul-guarded gateways of slumber, Past the wan-moon’d abysses of night, I have liv’d o’er my lives without number, I have sounded all things with my sight; And I struggle and shriek ere the daybreak, being driven to madness with fright.
Here is another version - nicer implementation (more true to the darker spirit of Lovecraft), but incomplete.
Yesterday I went to an actual, non-cancer-hospital dentist. That's the first time I've gone to a non-cancer-hospital dentist since I had cancer. It thus marks a milestone.
Observation: I prefer cancer hospitals to dentists.
What I'm listening to right now.
They Might Be Giants, "I Love You for Psychological Reasons."
Lyrics.
lately I've taken to vacantly making repetitive movements mistakenly seen as improvements nearing perfection but wisely electing to shun my reflection preferring instead shoe inspection cheese and chalk do not talk but their eyes synchronize with a secret rhythm which is a way one could say that I love you for psychological reasons
mumbling failure in jail my extremities flail and I wail though my arms and my legs to the chair are nailed under the table unwilling unable the torture's medieval the dream is a fable with feeble wings why does the mouse share the house with the louse they won't say but they feel their feelings doesn't subtract from the fact that I love you for psychological reasons reasons I can't really go into now reasons we should probably not get into right now
I'm ashamed to admit I'm afraid of assuming the blame for my lame abnegation of braveness and fame brain in a jar in a car in reverse I'm rehearsing the way I'll replay how to say how to be where you are flammable undiagrammable sentiments pass between animal beings hard to explain but it's plain that I love you for psychological reasons
why does the mouse share the house with the louse they won't say but they feel their feelings doesn't subtract from the fact that I love you for psychological reasons reasons I can't really go into now reasons we should probably not get into right now
Last week's bitter cold and Saturday's snow are transformed, by a hazy weekend, into one-degree rain. Typical Korean weather, I suppose: precipitation from the south, and so it's generally a warming trend.
I got not much. Feeling exhausted from last week, but this week has stumbled up upon my doorstep, demanding attention. So ...
What I'm listening to right now.
Gorillaz, "On Melancholy Hill." Like so many great songs, I suspect this one was written on heroin. Such is life.
Lyrics
Up on melancholy hill There's a plastic tree Are you here with me? Just looking out on the day Of another dream
Well you can't get what you want But you can get me So let's stand and see, love Cause you are my medicine When you're close to me When you're close to me
So call in the submarine Round the world we'll go Does anybody know, love If we're looking out on the day Of another dream
If you can't get what you want Then come with me
Up on melancholy hill Sits a manatee, love Just looking out for the day When you're close to me When you're close to me
I slept longer than I usually do, by several hours. That's probably good. I had been sleeping badly, probably feeling nervous and stressed about the upcoming cancer screening. I spend too much time ideating the "bad news" scenario. Way too much time.
