Welcome back. Jolly good luck.
This morning was foul. I woke up ready to have breakfast, do my exercises, have a shower and then go to work. Getting into work clothes, my back had other ideas and decided to spasm, leaving me crying on the floor in sheer frustration. The now very clear Pavlovian response caused by back pain kicked in and did its worst for a while. One lot of pain would be OK, but both physical and mental is too much. Fortunately, I already had a psych appointment in a few hours so I switched it to telehealth, gritted my teeth and waited. What I need to work on, other than continuing to be kind to myself, is catching the moment between physical pain and the onset of the end of the world in my mind. So, another day of either standing up or lying on the floor. Recovery isn't linear, I know that, I just need to be better at accepting it. I am hard on myself and it doesn't help.
The Smashing Pumpkins - Today - https://youtu.be/xmUZ6nCFNoU
I wrote a thing today about gratitude. You can read it here if you like. Some of you are probably in it. Lots of you aren't named but are there in spirit, I know.
Faith No More - We Care A Lot - https://youtu.be/LQhX8PbNUWI
Are you interested in playlists? I am for now, but maybe I'll go back to mixtapes soon so dust off your cassette players. The regular listening playlist hurtles on wildly in and out of oblivion; it's still here on Spotify. I have a new one for all y'all as well. My Dad told me about a night they were having at the folk club down there in Geelong recently. The theme was something along the lines of songs that make you cry. I love a theme. And remember that you don't have to be sad to cry, it can be joyful too. So here's a few tracks that elicit that kind of emotional response in me for one reason or another. Feel free to give me a yell with a song or two that are tear jerkers in your opinion.
Alex The Astronaut - If I Could Start Today Again - https://youtu.be/TlHU19oI-HU
Bruce Springsteen's album Nebraska is an important one for me for a few reasons I've explored before. When I read that he is to release a remastered version packaged up with the complete album performed live, demo tracks and the long lost electric version that shelved, it piqued my interest. To Bruce's credit, the price of this re-issue set is very reasonable compared to what a lot of bands expect us to pay, so I have ponied up for a pre-order. Here's the original, electric version of a song you might know. It didn't make the Nebraska album but was a bit of a hit on the next release. This one feels much angrier and that suits the lyrics much better I reckon.
Bruce Springsteen - Born In The USA - https://youtu.be/9YNufvgPP20
Eddie Van Halen once took a journalist driving in his car to listen to his new album because it apparently sounded best there. I don't drive all that much, especially at the moment because sitting down hurts, but when I do there are a few songs that are windows down, locks flowing (!), head-nodding, playing drums on the steering wheel numbers. This is one. I'd forgotten all about it and I just got the CD for like $5. Bargain.This song starts with a real bang and never lets up. It has to be one of the best examples of instantly grabbing an audience .
Bryan Adams - There Will Never Be Another Tonight - https://youtu.be/l5N6dupJ2Ko
Finally, the 'bogan punk' of Melbourne's PLAYLUNCH. There's a strong language warning for this one, and an appearance from Big Bad Barry Hall. This is quality and I love it.
PLAYLUNCH - Keith - https://youtu.be/7PTvxw4fc9M
Thanks for reading, I love youse all.
Keep smiling,
The Woozle
"I got a pocket full of crumpled bills,
I got a stomach full of different pills..."
Andrew Dice Clay, I Ain't Got You, 1990.
