Touring the Universe!

Place: the Universe
Mood: Floating
Song: Weird Fishes/Arpeggi * Radiohead

This is apparently my 100th post. Or so says my blogger page. I've been blogging since July 2006. It looks like it was yesterday!

And to celebrate this, I thought it would be wonderful to Tour the Universe with me. A sultry ride from our neighboring planets to the far ends of the illuminated darkness. We could straddle a comet's tail and immerse ourselves in the realm of the unknown.

And that sounds suitable since 2009 has been named the International Year of Astronomy (IYA). In 1609, which is exactly 400 years ago, Galileo has pointed his first ever telescope to record (and discover) as diverse sightings as the craters of the moon and into the core satellites of Jupiter (which are now known as the Galilean moons since he discovered them first on January 7, 1609).
In 1609, Kepler has also published his lengthy 650-page Astronomia Nova in which he tackles the "laws of planetary motions." His oeuvre is believed to be a key work in Scientific Revolution.

Now to make this ride even more enjoyable, here's a setlist that attempts to match the bedazzling spectacle that will be offered to our eyes.

01. Mercy Street (by Peter Gabriel) – from the album So [1986]
nowhere in the corridors of pale green and grey
nowhere in the suburbs in the cold light of day
there in the midst of it so alive and alone
words support like bone



We start our journey with an inviting Mercy Street. A beautiful ballad which begins with what looks like scintillating stars slowly pinpointing above our heads and persuading us to pursue them. The song in itself has a very ambient feel and has such a soothing vibe.
Mercy Street was written as a tribute to poet Anne Sexton.

02. Lully's "Turquerie" As Interpreted By An Advanced Script (by Murcof) – The Versailles Sessions [2008]







Now that we're into the dark sights of the Cosmos, what better than Murcof to lead us into the sinuous paths of the universe and the obscure gateways to the constellations. Save its name, this track is sheer genius. It's like three songs are mixed together. It start has nothing to do with its finish and the singular effect of pipes intertwining with industrial electronica is ostentatious. The Versailles Sessions is a commissioned work, and is not the follow-up to the momentous Cosmos, which will be Oceano to be released sometime in 2009.

03. Spring Haze * live (by Tori Amos) – Legs and Boots Washington, DC [2007]
and I found out where my edge is
and it bleeds into where you resist
and my only way out is to go so far in
billowing out to somewhere
billowing out luna riviera





We are halfway in our journey. And you who thought the universe is a quiet place are just wrong. It's just full of guts. And sometimes action. You could feel buoying alongside the celestial winds. Spring Haze is a song that IS full of guts and action. And it is a song meant to be played live. In this 2007 mind blowing version in which the song resurrects and takes full shape, especially in the bridge during which a marriage between the piano and the organ takes places under Tori's tireless hands. Her last note resonates so well and long enough to remind you that you are IN the cosmos.

04. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi (by Radiohead) – from the album In Rainbows [2008]
In the deepest ocean
The bottom of the sea
Your eyes
They turn me
Why should I stay here?
Why should I stay?




As you reach the core of the thousands of burning and sometimes lurid galaxies, Radiohead takes you by the hand and pushes you to feel every possible sensation in your pulsating body. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi makes you want to run endlessly and effortlessly. I feel thousands of rainbows cuddling through the twirling guitars in this song. The lusciousness of the vocals as well as the wailing backing vocals is a winning combo!

05. Confessions Nocturnes * live (by Arthur H) – Showtime [2006]

La nuit est tiède
J'aurais tellement voulu
Déposer sur tes lèvres
Un autre baiser
Mais déjà tu t'en vas
Pourquoi la vie est si belle
Oh pourquoi la vie est si belle

To end our night out, here's grand finale in French, to take us back home in sheer beauty. Pourquoi la vie est si belle... (why is life so beautiful). This ballad is majestic. Arthur's voice complements the comforting arrangements.

After our intergalactic ride, I can only wish you starry dreams!

Could Happiness Be the Fourth Dimension?

Place: the solar system, a distant galaxy or simply Home 

Mood: Content
Song: Thank You * Alanis Morissette

How shall I begin to describe how I' feeling lately. I'll try to put some of these thoughts into words.

But first, why don't you take a look at this photo. I saw it randomly on the Net, and thought it actually fits with my mood. Imagine the planets taking some time off and resting on some beach? Maybe the Sun can give them some well deserved vacation!

Well to be frank, I don't want a vacation. And the reason is,

I am happy

It took me so much time to discover this. Sometime in January, I had a dinner, and my friend Bechir and I were talking about all sorts of things and it suddenly hit me that I was quite pleased with my life. The fact that I came to terms with my job, with my salary, with my friends, with my family, with my very own self, everything became clear. I do not need to brag, to lament, to hope for more because I am very satisfied with what I have.

It just hit me as a convulsion. And I am assuming it completely. It's like visiting a virgin territory for the first time. And I have to say I love it. I could be sitting next to Jupiter on this sand-infested beach in a matter of seconds. I feel at ease circling around my being every time I want to leave my body and travel through space and time.

Quite coincidentally, I rediscovered the song Thank You by Alanis Morissette. It's another healer of sorts. One evening, I couldn't stop listening to it:

How bout me enjoying the moment for once
How bout how good it feels to finally forgive you
How bout grieving it all one at a time

I feel that now that I am connecting so well with my own self, the whole world would be an easy ride. Once you're at ease with your mind, your mind will make sure you're at ease with your surrounding. And so you can sing:

Thank you providence
Thank you disillusionment
Thank you nothingness
Thank you clarity

To me, that's such a beautiful version of happiness. I wonder if there's another one.
And by the way, how does your own happiness look like?