The Crazy is Catching

10 years is a decade, who knew?

How did this happen? HOW? Next year is 2010 and EVERYBODY managed to not tell me. Perhaps a freakout akin to this current one was envisaged, perhaps they knew that telling me A DECADE had passed since I graduated from school would frighten more than the bejesus out of me and everyone I met for days afterward.

But, COME ON. A decade? 10 years? How did this happen, HOW? I’ll stop capitalising now; I know it hurts the eyes. I do have a reason to freak out and it’s not the numerous “end of the noughties” lists that all already beginning. (This list is a worthwhile one, however, contribute!) It’s the fact that 10 years ago my misguided school friends and I, deluded as we were that friendship would last forever outside the confines of boarding school, thank you Enid Blyton, planned a reunion a massive ten years after graduation. Those ten years have passed and I fear that reunion is coming, far too bloody fast.

I plan on revisiting this subject as I find it fascinating how much ten years has changed me, all the while making me feel like I’ve remained the same. But for now, what with the revelation ringing in my ears I need to lie down in a dark place with no calendars near me.

Cambodia, 1981

Released years before my birth..how does it still manage to sound [somewhat] fresh?

misty water coloured memories

Last night, in the changing room of my gym, David Gray started singing something about opening up his heart to all the jealousy, bitterness and ridicule. I laughed. Heartily. I was remembering how someone had once used White Ladder and Coldplay’s Parachutes to seduce me. Cliché does not even begin to cover it.

In fairness to the person in question they did not live on an island where every household is reported to own a copy of Gray’s famous album nor were they subjected to the endless playing of ‘Yellow’ by Irish DJs.

Still, when they put on those two albums I did everything I could not to laugh out loud. This person, their arms covered in tatoos, their music collection a who’s who of Bay Area punk, considered those two albums sufficiently indie and sentimental enough to woo fair lady.

I’ll never be sure if I should blame the boy or his music choices for the nothing we became.

Crazy Catching Volume: Volume 2

This time ’round I’ve tried to add some NEW music to my playlist. And I’ve suceeded, to an extent. You will find some new stuff on there: two tracks from Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar’s Kerouac-inspired One Fast Move Or I’m Gone as well as music from Julian Plenti aka Paul Banks and Julian Casablancas. But I’ve had to throw in some oldies, as you’ll see. I can’t help myself. Now help yourself and listen. Again, for those of you without spotify (sign up!) I’ve provided links where you can listen to the individual songs but it won’t be the same.

Crazy Catching Playlist: Volume 2 (link provided therein)

1. Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), Beyonce, from I Am…Sasha Fierce
2. (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To, Weezer from Raditude
3. Empire State of Mind, Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys from The Blueprint 3
4. Beautiful Ones, Suede from Discover Suede
5. Dominos, The Big Pink from Dominos
6. New York, Paloma Faith from Do You Want The Truth or Something Beautiful?
7. California Zephyr, Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard from One Fast Move or I’m Gone Music from Kerouac’s Big Sur
8. Games for Days, Julian Plenti from Julian Plenti is…Skyscraper
9. 4 Chords of the Apocalypse, Julian Casablancas from Phrazes for the Young
10. San Francisco, Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard from One Fast Move or I’m Gone Music from Kerouac’s Big Sur
11. Caligulove, Them Crooked Vultures from Them Crooked Vultures
12. Laura, Girls
13. Satellite Skin, Modest Mouse from No One’s First, and You’re Next EP
14. Where have all your good words gone?, Laura Gibson from Beasts of Season
15. Possibility, Lykke Li from New Moon OST
16. Roslyn, Bon Iver and St. Vincent from New Moon OST
17. Lovesong of the Buzzard, Iron & Wine from The Shepard’s Dog
18. The First Cut is the Deepest, Cat Stevens from The Very Best of Cat Stevens
19. 99 Problems, Jay-Z from The Black Album
20. Baby Love, The Supremes from Favourites

I think the next playlist will have a festive theme. ‘Til then, thanks for listening!

“a place in which staggering hypocrisy rules”

Those looking for an insight into the whys and wherefores of this country’s current economic situation should read Fintan O’Toole’s opinion piece in today’s Irish Times. Sadly, nothing he has to say surprises me but I remain angry.

Then, if you want to enter into full-on rage mode have a read of this and ask yourself why anyone should feel pity for public servants. Did nobody take these people aside and ask them to stay at home today and resist driving across the border to SHOP? Did they think that nobody, taking into account the public’s current need to witchhunt, would notice??!!

You can’t help but move

To this song.

Go on, I dare you.

My recipes are moving..

From here on in I’ll be posting my recipes on my sister site CiaraNorton.ie. Today I baked Christmas Cake Cookies with a recipe inspired by The Barefoot Contessa. Click here, bon appetit!

Make you feel brand new

I shouldn’t let a song influence decisions I’m making but this one, despite the constant airplay, is pushing me….

FYI: New Catching Crazy playlist coming tomorrow..it lacks cohesion but tastes great.

“We have news for the beautiful people..

there’s a lot more of us than there are of you.”