Don't Let Me Down

I think "Do The Right Thing" is one of the best film titles of all time. I think the film is great, but the film's title is really great. It has already involved the audience, by addressing them, before the film even begins. And then it fits the movie once you are watching it. Perfect. I've always thought "Don't Let Me Down" would be a good title too, in the same way. Of course, with a title like that, the movie would have to be more of a downer than "Do The Right Thing."

I'm deep into the last stage of pre-melancholia; disappointment. Or perhaps just funk. Depression is too drastic a term and I have always prided myself on my extremely well-adjusted mental state, even when I'm feeling blue. Yes, I am aware of how this sounds and how people might take it offensively... It's my blog, right? Anyway, much like "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" five years ago, it looks as if "Silver Linings Playbook" will be the film I pull into this melancholy with me. I've already seen it twice and I feel like it is never going to leave my head. Is it bad that I feel so kindred with the main character, who just got out of a mental hospital, if I've always prided myself on my mental well-adjustment? It is what it is. Excelsior.

The song that just came on my iTunes is perfect for writing this. It sounds almost like something from the score of a Spider-man film. It is some of Alexandre Desplat's work from "The Painted Veil."

A week ago this time, I was watching the final film at the Savannah Film Festival. I was there for 8 days and saw nearly two dozen films and lots of big Hollywood stars. Not to mention, I got to spend so much time in Savannah and on Tybee Island, two places I could most certainly call home if my family was there as well. It was a wonderful week. "The Reality of a Rut: Cameron McAllister's quest for a new job, but not just any job... which could help explain why it's taking so huggin' long" would be the title of a book I would've written this week, post-Savannah. By the way, huggin' is a perfect new euphemism for cuss words.

I don't like being let down by the unfulfilled intentions of friends. But it almost always allows for a readjustment. This adjustment will be forged in the fires of a deep melancholy. In more general news, I suppose I sure am ready for a soulmate to come along.

This post is all over the place... business as usual. God is, as always, my portion. He's much more faithful than I am. Not to just tag him on here at the end, but it's just so true.

Only fingers can you count on

Just a few minutes ago, I told Tina Anne, "I love the people I love... but I don't love people." This was in regards to trying to leave the customer service industry. Tina Anne is the merchant teller at the bank.  Statistically speaking, she ranks pretty high on my all time favorite people list. She is the highest ranking African and certainly the highest Bank of America employee. Tomorrow she's going back home to Kenya for two weeks. I want to go to Kenya for two weeks. I think everyone I know personally who has travelled to Kenya (aside from those I know from Kenya) has been there on a mission trip. That's great, but I don't want to go there on a mission trip. I want to go on a mission: to explore Kenya.

I definitely have a hard time conveying to people how much I do care for them. Occasionally though, I just tear open and it pours out. I doesn't feel good afterwards. Maybe it should, but it doesn't. It's not regret or embarrassment, it's exhaustion. "Time heals all wounds," but more specifically, morning does. Morning is God's best tool for healing... probably something to do with fresh mercies. Good Christian a cappella group name: The Fresh Mercies. You can have it for free.

"Get Low" with Georgia cinema

Although Get Low was released just this summer, I remember two years back, reading an announcement in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution calling for as many extras as possible to show up at Picket's Mill (a historic site near Acworth, Georgia) in their best Depression-era clothing. I thought about attending. I was even willing to skip my classes (not really a stretch for me anyway). Unfortunately, I had just taken most of my Depression-era clothes to the dry-cleaners and they weren't going to be ready for a few more days.

Whether I am privy to the filmmaking or not (usually not), I often like to support movies that are filmed locally. I saw Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd at the cinema (mistake) and I'll probably see the remake of Footloose (impending mistake), since I have already made a 'set visit.'

While it is always wonderful seeing familiar surroundings on the big screen, it is often not worth the price of the movie ticket. This time, my local pride didn't turn out to be a waste of money. Get Low was worth every penny, regardless of my geographic sentiments.

The film tells the tale of a crazy old man (Robert Duvall) living in seclusion outside a small town full of people who spread all sorts of rumors about him. Of course, there is one person in town (Lucas Black) who sees a heart of gold deep down inside the crazy old man. There is even a person in town (Sissy Spacek) who knew the old crazy before he was old and crazy. Then, you have the struggling business owner (Bill Murray) who, being a yankee outsider, has nothing to lose by cozying up to the town crazy. When the old crazy sees his days coming to an end, he decides to invite everyone to come tell stories about him at his funeral... while he is alive... at his funeral.

Of course, this story is pleasant enough by itself, but the movie really shines when we start to learn why he shut himself off from others for forty years and what emotional damage has resulted. A good cast was needed to bring all of this to life, and a good cast was delivered.

No one is going to ignore a group that includes Robert Duvall (six Oscar nominations, 1 win), Sissy Spacek (6 Oscar nominations, 1 win) and Bill Murray (one Oscar nomination). I suppose Bill Murray will appeal more to younger audiences than the other two, but Duvall and Spacek have both proved to still be worthy of the 'household name' moniker. These three are in top form here and while Oscar buzz exists for all three, Duvall stands the best chance of a nomination. Spacek could find herself in the Best Supporting Actress race if the usually crowded category doesn't see more worthy entrants soon (personally, Jacki Weaver is still the one to beat). Bill Murray will likely be forgotten as the studio will see more of a need to push for Duvall's nomination, but I don't feel that Murray is even the most deserving Supporting Actor nominee anyway. I would give that distinction to Bill Cobbs, who plays an old pastor friend who knows the answer to why Duvall isolated himself.

This is the first meaty role for Cobbs in quite a while. The actor is used to smaller character parts and television roles (and that Peter Cetera Heineken commercial). I think he delivers more depth to his performance than any other supporting player. Unfortunately, I must be alone in my opinion, as Cobbs has gone by relatively unnoticed so far.

Lucas Black puts up a good performance as well. With already a good set of films under his belt, he is on his way to a sturdy career. Besides, it is impossible for me not to be a fan of his, with that unwavering Southern accent (we need more of these in Hollywood) and the fact that he looks a bit like the missing link between me and my brother.

Oscar winning composer Jan A.P. Kaczmarek put together a nice score, with the help of Jerry Douglas and The Steeldrivers. Alison Krauss also offers up a song over the credits. I would easily recommend this soundtrack.

The cinematography isn't the best I've seen this year, but you can tell there was an artful eye behind the lens. The beautiful Georgia scenery doesn't hurt either, and it serves as an extremely appropriate substitute for Tennessee (where the film takes place). The costumes are good enough to be in contention for the Oscar, which only makes me regret not showing up in my Great Depression suit.

Aaron Schneider has made an impressive directorial debut with Get Low, seeing as his film finds a nice balance between aesthetics and performances. I'm happy the film has found the audience it deserves.

More than 'okay'

Zooey has always looked great, but she's never looked better. I think I'm getting over the fact that she married another man. And M. Ward is probably one of the top three coolest guys ever.

I've now heard three new She & Him songs... and I can't wait for more. Volume Two is out March 23 in the US.

My life according to Sufjan Stevens

To sum up ones life using all the song titles and lyrics in the world would be pretty difficult to say the least. To have said compendium made up solely of the song titles of only one artist or band would be even more of an accomplishment. A friend of mine recently did this using REM song titles. I liked it and decided to give it a go using, who else, Sufjan Stevens. It's, uhh, pretty accurate.

Here are the rules:
Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think!

Pick Your Artist:
Sufjan Stevens

Are you male or female?
"A Good Man is Hard to Find"

Describe Yourself:
"Out of Egypt, Into the Great Laugh of Mankind, and I Shake the Dirt from My Sandals As I Run" ...or "Wolverine"

How do you feel:
"Joy! Joy! Joy!"

Describe where you currently live:
"No Man's Land"

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
"Sleeping Bear, Sault Ste. Marie" ...or definitely, "Pittsfield"

Your favorite form of transportation:
"Majesty Snowbird"

Your best friend is:
"SuperSexyWoman"

What is life to you:
"A Short Reprise for Mary Todd, Who Went Insane, But for Very Good Reasons"

Your fear:
"They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back from the Dead!! Ahhhh!"

What is the best advice you have to give:
"All Good Naysayers, Speak Up! or Forever Hold Your Peace!"

How I would like to die:
"The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning, or, We Apologize for the Inconvenience but You're Going to Have to Leave Now, or, 'I Have Fought the Big Knives and Will Continue to Fight Them Until They Are Off Our Lands!'"

My Motto:
"Enjoy Your Rabbit"

The best Music Video in quite some time

Coldplay's music videos are always either utter greatness or dismal garbage. This is definitely the former.

Magnificent

U2's new album, No Line on the Horizon, is excellent. I won't write about every song (right now, at least) because I'm still picking out my favorites. An immediate stand out, however, is "Magnificent."

Nearly five-and-a-half minutes, "Magnificent" is very much modern U2 but there is something classic about it. I would venture to call it an anthem along the same lines as "Where the Streets Have No Name" if you make the lyrics less dreamy and add more of a sturdy guitar performance by The Edge. Basically, take "Where the Streets Have No Name" and cross-breed it with "Discotheque." In fact, the beat, melody and guitar lend themselves to something reminiscent of an Ennio Morricone "spaghetti western" theme.

Bono's lyrics here are obviously about praising God. It amuses me and frustrates me to see people all over the Internet try and credit the meaning of the song to anything but God... but what can you expect? Likewise, "Yahweh" from the How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb album has some pretty wonderful lyrics that are a prayer to God. That one is probably a bit more difficult to deny, however.

Amore

In honor of Valentine's Day, I'll post a clip from one of the most romantic (bittersweetly romantic) films I can think of, Nuovo Cinema Paradiso... Giuseppe Tornatore's masterpiece. This clip also features the most romantic song I know of, the "Tema d'Amore" by Il Maestro, Ennio Morricone.



You HAVE to watch the whole thing... if you don't, this might leave you very confused. My heart has just now melted thinking of how much I love this movie.

Look, I'm famous!

I decided to drop a class before even going to it today. It was out of principle. I don't take 18 hours a semester... any semester. Even if some of my classes are Film or Italian classes, I'm just not in enough of a hurry to finish college that I want to take that many hours. So, I had a break around lunchtime. I ate some chicken and still had time, so I made my way one of the computer labs in the Social Science Building. I was checking some stuff when it popped in my head to check my hit counter. I noticed that already a few dozen people had checked my blog this morning (and my blog, as you can tell, is not very popular). I went to find out where they were coming from and found this:

http://forums.viachicago.org/index.php?showtopic=36648

I've never experienced anything like this before. It's fun.

In case you are confused as to what this is... A Freakwater fan from a Wilco forum stumbled across my blog and decided to share it with the rest of the forum. I registered (good thing I'm a fan of Wilco!) to add my two cents and over the course of the day, the thread has turned into one of the funniest things I've ever seen on the internet.

Freakwater: A Txt Message Review

As you may know, I recently attended the She & Him concert at Variety Playhouse here in Atlanta. I hadn't been to the venue before and I liked it very much. I also liked She & Him very much. I won't bother writing about them again as my blog may actually explode from all the recent Zooey goodness.

I will, however, write about their opening act, Freakwater. Well... maybe not write about as much as post the text message dialogue I was a part of during their set. It was Conner, Amber, Speck, Diana, Jenny and I sitting there in a row texting each other about how painful it was to sit through Freakwater. Don't get me wrong... they were very skilled instrumentalists. TOO BAD THEY HAD TO OPEN THEIR MOUTHS.

That's all I'll say. You can read for yourself.

Oh, and the "old guy" we refer to below is this lone 60-ish year-old guy at the concert by himself.

8:28 - Cameron to Amber, Conner, Speck:

The old guy is just here for freakwater.

8:30 - Conner to Cameron:

No doubt freak water rocks

Okay, they have just now begun their first song.


8:42 - Cameron to Amber, Conner, Speck:

Already So good.

8:44 - Conner to Cameron:

My ears are bleeding buckets

8:46 - Cameron to Conner:

Keep bleeding keep keep bleeding buckets.

8:51 - Speck to Cameron:

Favorite band ever


8:52 - Cameron to Speck:

Why isn't zooey opening for them?

8:55 - Cameron to Conner:

Asswater

8:57 - Cameron to Diana:

Don't rush the stage.


8:58 - Diana to Cameron:

Mmm.


9:02 - Cameron to Conner:

Someone forgot to turn their mics off before they started.

9:03 - Conner to Cameron:

Destroy freak water!

9:07 - Conner to Cameron:

What is the opposite of encore?

9:08 - Cameron to Conner:

Murder.

9:09 - Cameron to Amber:

They make the guy that opened for mindy sound like sufjan.

9:10 - Cameron to Conner:

Did amber go jump off the roof?

9:13 - Conner to Cameron:

Annapolis style

9:14 - Cameron to Conner:

Anythings better than this.

9:16 - Cameron to Speck:

When did the B52s get so bad??!

9:19 - Cameron to Conner:

She sure made me want a tshirt

9:20 - Conner to Cameron:

Me 2

9:20 - Cameron to Conner:

Freakwater is stagnant.

9:23 - Speck to Cameron:

Haha on another note: we should have stayed up front.

9:23 - Cameron to Speck:

Yes, definitely.

9:27 - Cameron to Diana:

Freaknastywater

9:28 - Diana to Cameron:

Basically.

The talented M. Ward just came out on stage to assist them in their last couple of songs.


9:30 - Cameron to Conner:

M ward just stopped a riot from starting

Thank goodness, it's over. Now we just have to wait for She & Him to get out there.

10:06 - Cameron to Conner:

Zooey needs to stop being a diva and get out here.

10:06 - Conner to Cameron:

No joke

Only kidding, Zooey!
But seriously... Freakwater were very unenjoyable. She & Him were amazing. Sufjan-like amazing. They should do a show with Sufjan!

We have a new 'Strangest Music Video Ever'

First off, let's watch the world's previous 'Strangest Music Video Ever' title-holder. That would be wonderful electro duo Goldfrapp (who will score some of my movies in the future) with "Ride A White Horse." They are no stranger to strangeness in their videos... but this by far is their best... most... strangest.



Also check out their video for "Number 1." It's very strange as well... but in a better, more awesome way.

Now, for the newest 'Strangest Music Video Ever,' let's turn to none other than the subject of my last post and my girlfriend... Zooey Deschanel. She & Him premiered their first music video last week and it actually has some similarities to the Goldfrapp video. Watch for yourself.



You may understandably be shocked, horrified, humored or fascinated or possibly any combination of those. I was shocked on my first watch... then humored by the second one... and by the third, fascinated and enamored. Yes, it's bloody (bloody sweet!) but it's kinda hilarious if you ask me. And so weird.

I Love the Ambiguous Pronouns

If you haven't heard of She & Him, I am angry with you. No really. Just kidding. Kinda.

It is comprised of Zooey Deschanel (my girlfriend) and M. Ward and I would probably describe their sound as indie-retro-folk-alt country-americana-pop-rock. Once you listen to them, you'll think to yourself, "hey, this should be in an ipod commercial!" They haven't been used in an ipod commercial, yet.

Here is a nice video from MTV News that talks about She & Him.



Excellent, yeah? I thought you'd like them. Their album Volume One is amazing and still pretty new. But Zooey (my girlfriend) is already talking about Volume Two!



Apparently, MTV has this new thing about trying to show more music videos... which is weird if you ask me... and to help this out, they have a new show called "FNMTV." Don't ask me what it stands for. Zooey & M. are going to be on the show this Friday night to premiere the music video for their song "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" I can't wait!

Viva la Vinyl

I have just made an important decision that very well could change my life forever (overstatement). I have bought my first vinyl album.

"Why?" "Where?" "How?" you ask. I'll tell you. I was at Best Buy buying new ear-phones for my ipod since my cat, Giuseppe, has now chewed through two pairs. On my way to the check-out counter, I walked by the new release CDs on a whim and it was there that I noticed, above the CDs, a giant Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends album. Why was it giant? Because it is made for record players instead of compact disc players. And yes, I do have a record player.

I've already mentioned the new Coldplay album in an earlier post. I had already purchased it from iTunes, but I just could not resist buying this. It was only twenty bucks (and it includes a CD version as well, although I didn't know this when I purchased it). What an album it is! And what an album to buy for your landmark first vinyl! Amazing!

I don't know what this means for my future... but I certainly don't think it can be anything but good.

"She kinda makes a man want to be a miniature horse."

I love Carrie Underwood.

Living in my head

I'd like to think that moods are far more temporary than "funks." I think funks might be moods that have settled and have lasted far to long to still be classified as moods but are not necessarily permanent. I think my current mood is, perhaps, a bit down. Several reasons claim responsibility, some of which I won't get into. I wouldn't call this a funk, though. But I'm willing to bet that it will lead to one soon. Often times, when I feel down like this, it leads to a melancholy and you know how I feel about my melancholies (if you don't know... I love them).

I don't usually talk about my "feelings" like I'm going to right now... but I'm strangely in the mood to do so.

I just got back from a vacation to the beach. It was a great time with my family. On top of that, I have much to be thankful for. My future work circumstances seem to be heading in a wonderful direction (although nothing official yet). I've gotten to spend some quality time with some good friends lately. I've begun reading a book that a quarter of the way into it has already started to affect the way I think.

Why do I feel as if I've stepped under a cloud? I reckon it is a combination of things. First of all, I miss some people. I have never been able to tell if I am more of an "out of sight, out of mind" person or an "absence makes the heart grow fonder" type. I have come to believe that I am a hybrid of both. I think it can be summed up by "out of sight, out of mind... until a prolonged absence makes my heart wrench for those I've lost personal contact with."

What else? I've been busy this week. That may be the lamest reason in the universe to get to feeling down... but it's just that, a reason and not an excuse. When I feel like I don't have time to decompress from the day's events, my mood suffers afterwards... even subconsciously. And any time when I start feeling this way, I'm a bit more sensitive to aggression. Not sensitive emotionally, but sensitive spiritually, if that makes any sense. I retreat a little deeper into my shell.

Forlorn aside, there is also a sense of melancholy... which is what I expect this to fully grow into... a funk-sized melancholy. I've been noticeably more introspective lately. God has been showing me some things about dealing with myself and dealing with others, especially when people present themselves unpleasantly. Oswald Chambers has a lot of good things to say about that in My Utmost for His Highest. I'm trying something new with unpleasant people.

Another reason for more introspection is Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I've always wanted to read this but never gave myself the chance. I'd say to myself, "If you ever want to read another book again, you best not start it, since you'll be reading it for the rest of your life."

Who Is John Galt? This isn't the question I ask myself... but the book has led me to think differently about what I am sensing and feeling. I think more about the natural contradictions inside my thoughts and I take pause to fully grasp what I'm thinking. It opens up a new world when you stop and digest what you're thinking and feeling at the moment.

I've never experienced a melancholy in the summertime before. I'd like to know more about the correlation between my moods, funks and the seasons... but I'm afraid I have no answers there. Last week, I expected the melancholy to start when I was at the beach. It didn't. It was a shock mid-week when I realized that nothing had happened. I thought that a vacation of more solitude than ever before would surely ring that in. My parents and I were the only ones there until late Tuesday when my brother and sister-in-law came down until Friday. I figured I would have more time to myself, more independence, more melancholy. I jumped the gun on that one.

By the way, I've already started planning a few future posts... some about film, some about music, some with pictures and some with general stuff I'm learning.

I hope this melancholy helps me with my writing. I haven't worked on any films in a long time and that is partially due to inaction and partially due to computer troubles. My laptop was fixed and now it's not. It's a hard enough struggle getting things out of my head and onto paper (or computer screen), but it's even harder when I am willing but can't due to unstable technology.

I guess this post (more like a ramble) is a little insight into my present state of mind. If you have read it all, you may now congratulate yourself for surviving what I am sure is one of the more tiresome things you've read in a long time.

And buy new Coldplay album. It's fantastic.

I'd swim across Lake Michigan

Sufjan's magnificent album Seven Swans features a fantastic track titled "To Be Alone With You." It's about Christ's atonement and how time alone with Him is of utmost importance. Considering that the album is several years old and that the song was featured in the television show "The O.C." and that Sufjan is the king of indie pop... many of you are probably already familiar with the song.

Today, I discovered that Pocketknife, who had previously remixed "Put the Lights on the Tree," has remixed "To Be Alone With You" and it is available for free download.

I love the original version. It's simple and acoustic and has a beautiful melody... but the words are just so sincere and powerful. The remix, however, retains all of that but beefs it up a bit and gives it a nice beat. Below is the link to download it. Check it out.

Sufjan Stevens - "To Be Alone With You (Pocketknife's Considerate Eagle Scout Remix)"

This guy is so gifted, I'll probably name a son after him

No, I'm not talking about Sufjan. Although I still stick to the fact that my first born will probably be named "Sufjan." Don't deny it, it's a cool name.

I'm talking about another extremely gifted musician. In early February of this year, while I was busy trying to catch up on all of the critically acclaimed movies of 2007 so that I could have my top films list ready in time for the Oscars, I received This Is England in my Netflix queue.

This Is England is a great film about skinheads in 1980s England. You might remember seeing it in my "The Best Movies of 2007" list. There are a lot of excellent things about the movie, but the greatest is most definitely the score. There was a lot of rock music used throughout the film, but there were a few key score selections that were just breathtaking. I had to know what they were. I did a little research and discovered the name Ludovico Einaudi.

I came to find out that he has scored a few movies... mostly Italian films or TV movies. But a few films, including This Is England, have used his pre-existing music as their score. The filmmakers heard his music and decided that they didn't need anyone to write anything special for the film because his work is already so perfect. Simple and beautiful.

I would label him as "minimalistic," which I have seen others call him as well. He is a pianist as a performer but composes everything in his music. Some of his music is just piano and some of it is piano and strings. All of it is exceptional. I've been in love for almost four months now.

First, I've posted "Fuori Dal Mondo" which is the song that first got me hooked. This means "outside of the world."

Next, "Dietro Casa," is a very simplistic piano solo. Amazing!



Last, but certainly not least, "Primavera" is from his most recent album. It is intense. The strings are magnificent.



These are just three songs and he has several albums worth. Every song I've ever heard is incredible. Check him out. American iTunes has a lot of his stuff. He is well-known throughout the world and monumental in Italy, but America hasn't seen very much of him yet.

The name "Ludovico" is the Italian equivalent of "Ludwig" which you may recall belongs to another slightly renowned composer. I think I'll name a kid "Ludovico." It will go well with my other kid, "Ennio." Maybe I'll have twins and they can both be named after genius Italian composers.

A Thousand Shark's Teeth

Isn't this the coolest album cover and album title you've seen/heard in a while? I'm really looking forward to My Brightest Diamond's new album. Their last one was great but nothing compares to seeing them live (as I did when I saw Sufjan). Shara Worden's voice = power.

This has been out for a while, but below is a free and legal mp3 of the first single from the album, "Inside a Boy." Check it out if you haven't gotten it yet.

My Brightest Diamond - "Inside a Boy"

"Dizziness, constant motion, perpetual motion and activity"

Next thursday, friday and saturday at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Sufjan Stevens is premiering his musical and visual composition, The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. In short, it is a 30-minute film, shot in Super 8 and 16-mm, of the BQE with Sufjan and his orchestra providing the live soundtrack. It is pretty much a symphony and a film. After he plays this, he will then play a one-hour concert featuring old and new music.

I would drown a ton of puppies to be able to go see this. And, honestly, the only thing keeping me from it (from going, not from drowning puppies) is that a great friend of mine is getting married that saturday in San Francisco. I considered flying up to New York City on thursday to see the show and then flying out to San Francisco afterwards, since I'm flying from Atlanta to San Francisco friday morning anyway. But, I think it would be a mess of trouble to try and work that out.

Sufjan, please, please, please release a DVD of this. Please. I'm torn to bits that I cannot be in attendance.

Here is a lovely interview with Sufjan about the BQE and below is a sneak preview he gave in a radio studio a few days ago. Sufjan is on the piano here. It sounds wonderful.

...I'll just say that I look forward to Sufjan scoring my films!

The photo up top is credited to Denny Renshaw.

What I Cannot Change

I know what makes me comfortable. And I know what makes me tick. And when I need to get my way, I know how to pour it on thick. Cream and sugar in my coffee. Right away when I awake, I face the day, and pray to God I won’t make the same mistakes. All the rest is out of my hands.

I will learn to let go what I cannot change. I will learn to forgive what I cannot change. I will learn to love what I cannot change. But I will change, yeah I will change, whatever I, whenever I can.

Yeah, I don’t know my father or my mother well enough. It seems like every time we talk we can’t get past the little stuff. The pain is self-inflicted. I know it’s not good for my health but it’s easier to please the world then it is to please myself. All the rest is out of my hands.

I will learn to let go what I cannot change. I will learn to forgive what I cannot change. I will learn to love what I cannot change. But I will change, yeah I will change, whatever I, whenever I can.

Right now I can’t care about how everyone else really feels. I have enough hurt of my own to heal.

I will learn to let go what I cannot change. I will learn to forgive what I cannot change. I will learn to let go what I cannot change. I will learn to forgive what I cannot change. I will learn to love what I cannot change. But I will change, yeah I will change, whatever I, whenever I can.

This is "What I Cannot Change" on LeAnn Rimes new album, Family. She wrote it (along with Darrell Brown) and I suspect it is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a long time. And what meaning it holds! I urge you to listen to this and download it off of iTunes.