Music Spotlight — Favourite Bands pt 2

Better Than Ezra. I may not count myself as an Ezralite, but I still love this band. Introduced to them through two sources (the fabulous film Empire Records, and my wonderful big brother) to which I am very grateful. They are rock, or alternative rock, or something.

It was hard to choose just one song, but here's Lifetime. Enjoy. (it was either this or Just One Day, which you should totally look up on your own if you like this song)

I absolutely adore this song; in fact, I absolutely adore most of their songs. I think they are not as popular as they deserve to be, but popularity never goes to those that deserve it—except when it does, never is too strong a word to use (i'll try not to use it again).

Anyway. Here's their website. Their store, amazon, and itunes.

And now, as it is getting late and I must rise early for church followed by work, it is time I was to bed. Goodnight and "Go mbeannaí Dia duit,"

M. S.

PS Wow, the lightning, rain, and wind are absolutely brilliant—I don't know if I'll able to get to sleep very easily. But rain is a good thing: it is beautiful, soothing, and exciting all at once. And we've been having a drought here in St. Louis. So again, thank you, God, for all your wonderful gifts.

Music Spotlight — Favourite Bands pt 1

. So instead of putting a music post up late, I didn't get it up at all. Bad me. I could provide a never ending list of excuses, but excuses are just that—they never do any good. Besides, the truth is that I was too busy knocking a story idea into an outline (which I still haven't finished), and watching Game of Thrones Researching… What? I'm a writer, aren't I? Not all research is non-fiction…

Anyway, seeing as I still don't know who to do a music spotlight on, I'm going to list some of my current favourite musics. Because you don't know me, and don't have a clue as to what I listen to on a regular basis, this might tell you a little about me. Which is dangerous, I know, but I'm not quite as paranoid as some people I know.

Without further ado:

• Gaelic storm
• Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
• Better Than Ezra
• Switchfoot
• The Letter Black
• Orianthi
• Led Zeppelin
• Stray Cats

Is there anyone of these you do not recognize? Just in case, I will proceed with telling you a little about them.

Gaelic Storm (listed first) just so happens to be my favourite band. They are a fun party band, especially live, with music ranging from boisterous drinking songs and sea shanties to heartfelt songs about lost love and being far from home. Their general style is sort of folksy celtic band with heavy irish influence (Pat Murphy) but they aren't traditionalists, and their variety is much beyond what many similar bands are capable of. (They've been known to cover their songs in another artist's style during live performances.) Here's my favourite tune, Scalliwag: (sorry, not the simlish version)

Okay, this post is getting a little long, I think I'll cut it short. I'll tell you about the other bands later. In the meantime I have chores to get done (No rest for the injured)

Go mbeannaí Dia duit,

M. S.

PS the sky is very pretty right now, reminding me of the supreme artist. Thanks, God :)

PPS: I just realized I forgot to provide links. If you like Gaelic storm, you can find out more about them at their website, where you can purchase their cds. You can also find their music on itunes and amazon.  Have fun!

Tears — A Sign of Weakness?

Today I'm going to say a few words about heroes that cry. You've been warned.

Why, does it seem, that so many people view weeping as unheroic? Why is a character, real or imagined, often considered to be weak or vulnerable because he or she displays their emotions openly? It doesn't make any sense to me. Why should characters be considered weak because they feels strongly for something? Why do some people demand cold, robotic heros?

Grant it, there is something to be said for heroes that bear their pain under a stoic mask, silently keeping their cares to themselves; but are they any greater than those who do not? After all, Jesus wept, and there's none greater. I'm tired of people implying—or outright saying—that a strong character (male or female), is any weaker, any less heroic, because of tears.

The truth is that some obstacles are too great, some terrors too terrible, for people to just take in stride. And heros are people—always remember that. It isn't their prowess that makes them heroic, it's that they find the strength to carry on, even when they'd rather give up and go home. And if the problem a character faces doesn't test them, I'm going to put down your book (or movie, or tv show, or whatever it is), and walk away. 'Cause I don't like being bored.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. Now that I've subjected you to them, I'm going to sign off,

Go mbeannaí Dia duit,
M. S.

PS I still hope to do a Music Spotlight post today, but I've been sorta busy, so it'll be late.