you're making it come alive.

I've finally come to realize that we are all the same
If there's nothing left to lose then there's every to gain
All the paragraphs and pages you could write could not contain
It is curious and careless and it's flowing through my veins

The fear of growing old, and doing what you're told

You can't disguise a heart while it's breaking
You hide behind the smile you're faking
It's all about the the chance you're taking
Oh, and you know that you're making it all come alive

If your life is so damn comfortable then why do you complain?
A reflection in the alcohol you're pouring down the drain
Just because you paint a picture doesn't mean it fits the frame
This is my West Coast intervention and I'm getting on that plane

When all of your mistakes are keeping you awake

The sun is setting and it's ending 'cause you're letting it go
Forgetting everything you already know
And it all goes to show that you're moving too slow
It will end up changing you, it will end up changing you

Life flies by so you have to embrace it
Forget the past 'cause you can't out-race it
So live the dream, and learn to chase it
And when you can almost taste it
It's all come alive

- my favourite highway, "you're making it come alive."

elephants.

"If the elephants have past lives, yet are destined to always remember,
it's no wonder how they scream,
like you and I, they must have some temper.
And I am dreaming of them on the plains, dirtying up their beds,
watching for some kind of rain to cool their hot heads.
And how dare that you send me that card when I'm doing all that I can do.
You are forcing me to remember when all I want is to just forget you.
If the tiger shall protect her young, then tell me how did you slip by.
All my instincts have failed me for once -- I must have somehow slept the whole night.

And I am dreaming of them with their kill, tearing it all apart,
blood dripping from their lips, and teeth sinking in too hard.
And how dare that you say you will call, when you know I need some peace of mind..
If you had to take sides with the animals, won't you do it with one who is kind?

If the hawks in the trees need the dead, if you're living you don't stand a chance.
You can lie there and say you are fed, but there are only two ends to this dance.
You can flee with your wounds just in time, or lie there as he feeds,
watching yourself ripped to shreds and laughing as you bleed.

So for those of you falling in love, keep it kind, keep it good, keep it right.
Throw yourself in the midst of danger, but keep one eye open at night. "

- Rachael Yamagata, "Elephants."

give me something to believe in, a breath from the breathing.

i saw jack's mannequin in concert last week for the third time. andrew mcmahon, in all his fucking-rockstar-glory, really brought the music to a real level--that level where you can actually feel the piano and the words getting under your skin, speeding through your veins, connecting straight to your heart. he's a really inspiring man, that andrew--he writes these beautiful pieces of music that make me feel again. really feel.

so i went to this concert, and i danced and jumped and sang really loud during all of my favourite parts in all of my favourite songs. he even played the something corporate gem, "cavanaugh park," which made me swoon and smile and shout really loud as he sang one of my favourite song lyrics of all time -- "man, that kid make fucking up look cool."

but i was especially excited when he played "hammers and strings," probably the most inspirational song i've heard in a while. so, because this blog is supposed to be a source of inspiration for me, i've gotta remind myself to listen to this song when life gets messy.

you should listen to it, too: jack's mannequin, "hammers and strings."