More Mindy

I wasn't planning to take time for this this weekend, but when the muse calls, I listen.

A little more me with Mindy Smith, here.

Stockholm: The Celebrities

Okay, maybe they're not really famous. But they look like famous people. Kind of.


I think this is one of those things that will just be better with more pictures and less words....

Young Brad Pitt





Cameron Diaz




Jessica Simpson




Very young Sting. You may have to squint a bit for this one.




Russell Crowe




Paris Hilton




Anna Kournikova




Daryl Hannah

Stolen Lyrics Of The Day

While I was in Stockholm, Richard introduced me to Bebo Norman. I've been listening for a few days now, and I'm impressed. The man doesn't bat 1000, but when he hits, he hits big, and some of his songs are absolutely drenched in honesty and passion. Today, I like this one, called Healing Song.

I can tell by this crack of light
Oh girl this is gonna be, it's gonna be a beautiful day
And I can tell by this stretch of silver
Spreading all out across the curves of your face

And for the love, for the love of God
I've gathered up my pride, I've gathered up my bits and bone
And in a world that broke me down
I'm standing up, but not alone

'Cause this is a healing song, oh and I've got a heart that fails
But love is pushing me along, I'm lifting up above this veil
This is a healing song, oh and I don't know if you can tell
But love is pushing me along
I'm pressing up against the rail, pressing up against the rail

I can smell the summer in the air
And I swear I can almost see, I can almost see my soul
Son, I know that it don't seem fair
But I'm turning away from here, and oh Lord, I am coming home

I've got friends here that love me
I've got all this mercy beating in my blood
And I've got friends here that love me
And that's something good, that's something good

'Cause this is a healing song, oh and I've got a heart that fails
But love is pushing me along, I'm lifting up above this veil
This is a healing song, oh and I don't know if you can tell
But love is pushing me along
I'm pressing up against the rail, pressing up against the rail

You and I, we've come so far
We've come so far, we cannot look back
I said you and I, we've come so far
We've come so far, we cannot look back

"I've got friends here that love me; I've got all this mercy beating in my blood". Good words to enter the weekend by.

You can hear a few seconds of it here... just imagine that voice continuing with that gorgeous, lilting rhythm that comes in at the end. I tried to find the link on iTunes, but they won't let me look at the store unless I install their software, and last time I did that it took me about 6 months to clean out all the other crap that came with it. But if your computer is already infected, I'm sure you can find him there. ;-)

Words To Enter The Weekend By

I've been posting a lot of pictures. And I love pictures. But I also love words, and music, and I've discovered that I am much happier if I have all three in my life. So while I was coming home from the airport today, here's what I was listening to - words and music by Starfield. If you don't know the tune, you can't hear it from there, but this section starts off quietly and then builds into an absolutely pounding crescendo a là Beautiful Day.

If You should speak
Or should remain in silence
Should give me light, or lead me through the dark

Whatever cost
Whatever joy or sorrow
I'll worship still
Because of who You are

When death becomes
The end of all my labors
And Christ alone my rest and reward

May all I've done
Be one enduring echo
Resounding on to shout
Great is the Lord

Bedshaped

I have absolutely no idea what this means, but man, does that chorus kick! Bedshaped, by Keane:

You'll follow me back
With the sun in your eyes
And on your own
Bedshaped
And legs of stone
You'll knock on my door
And up we'll go
In white light
I don't think so
But what do I know?
What do I know?
I know!

Meet The Press

In Celebration Of Valentine's Day

I posted a while ago about what may be one of the most beautiful love songs I've heard in a while, Until You by Dave Barnes.

But on the taxi ride back to the hotel tonight, I was greeted by a one-two punch that was impossible to ignore on a special night like tonight. Girl You Know It's True, by the one and only Milli Vanilli, with a Can't Help Falling In Love With You (the almost unfathomably synthesized UB40 version... who knew reggae could be done so... white?). Wow. I was speechless.

So, in tribute to what could possibly be the worst love song ever performed by two men who didn't actually sing it, I give you, Girl, You Know It's True, in all its glory.

"So what are you doing back?"
"Well, I set back and thought about the days we used to do.
It really mean a lot to me, you mean a lot to me."
"I really mean that much to you?"
"Girl, you know it's true."

I'm in love with you girl 'cause you're on my mind,
you're the one I think about most every time.
And when you crack a smile and ev'rything you do
don't you understand girl this love is true.
You're so sickin' hand, lone sweetin' thing,
that ? like poison up on your skin.
It lightens up my day and that's also true,
together we are one, ? we are two.
To make it all mine, all mine is my desire,
cause you contain a quality, you that I admire.
To put it playin' simple, you rule my world,
so try to understand:

I'm in love girl, I'm so in love girl,
I'm just in love girl, and this is true.

Girl you know it's true,
uh uh uh, I love you.
Yes you know it's true,
uh uh uh, I love you.

Girl you know it's true,
my love - is for you.
Girl you know it's true,
my love - is for you.

This sizzling thing girl, I can't explain,
my emotions starts up when I hear your name.
Maybe a sweet, sweet voice would ring in my ear,
it stimulate my senses, girl when you are near.
And with your positive emotion love making enjoy,
there's no need to bust, it's like a girl and a boy.
These feelings I keep, I often wondering why,
so I thought I might discuss this ? is you and I.

Now what you wear, I don't care,
how ? before, the reason that I like a girl is for what you are.
If I ? think about it, you rule my world,
so try to understand:

I'm in love girl, I'm so in love girl,
I'm just in love girl, and this is true.

Girl you know it's true,
uh uh uh, I love you.
Yes you know it's true,
uh uh uh, I love you.

Girl you know it's true,
my love - is for you.

I'm in love with you girl, I'm in love with you girl [last word repeats]
I'm in love with you, I'm in love with you, I'm in love with you.

Girl you know it's true,
my love - is for you.
Girl you know it's true,
uh uh uh, I love you.
Yes you know it's true,
uh uh uh, I love you.


[EDIT] I should maybe just point out here that to get the full effect, you REALLY need to read these out loud. Especially, the "uh, uh, uh". Trust me on this, and don't worry about what your family or coworkers may be thinking. They may be laughing on the outside, but inside they are secretly envying your confidence and utter disregard for crippling social convention.

More Dave Barnes

If "Until You" isn't enough to turn you inside out, a couple tracks later, he comes up with this:

They tell me there's songs reserved for angels
Would you sing me one, a stranger
Just to prove your love?
They tell me you've given poor men kingdoms
And handed guilty freedom
And taken on their stains
And your love will never change
Your love will never change
They tell me that you dwell with good and evil
In alleys and cathedrals
Shadows and the light
They tell me that you hold the world together
Not from guilt, but pleasure
And you somehow know my name
And your love will never change
Your love will never change
So tell me there's nothing that you can't do
And you'll love me though I've hurt you
And that you'll take my blame
And your love will never change
Your love will never change