Reconnecting with Rain

So I have had an obsession with the Weepies for a few years, but I am rediscovering them, in a new more blissful state. This song has been playing on repeat for me today. My life is sort of defined by the music I am residing with in the moment. I have a life soundtrack; sometimes I stop in the middle of crucial moments to listen to a song, read a lyric, post a blog. So today my song is Jolene by the Weepies, although really the entire "Happiness" cd (or playlist as new, young whipper-snappers may call it) has been shuffling through my life recently.

What is funny, this song could be another sort of melancholy tune about a broken heart or lost relationship, but that is not how I am thinking about it at all. Instead, for me, right now, it is a tune more about longing to know what "the weather" is like where someone you miss and love is when they are not with you. So of course, rain has connotations of sadness, but I love rain. I always have. I always used to say Spring was my favorite season because of the rain (however, it doesn't really rain in Colorado in springtime, so I switched favorite season to Fall.) I am thinking of returning to a place where I love Spring again, where my heart is open to reconnecting with the presence of rain, with the promise of something new. Although, it is true that sometimes the sun is beautiful and bright there is something very peaceful about the quiet and steady presence of rain. So this is my dedication to a new sort of weather in my life.

Jolene, The Weepies

It always rained around you
We tried to go inside and it would rain there too
It came pouring through the roof when we traveled underground
Whiskey, water, and tears 'til I thought that we would drown, Jolene

Jolene, Jolene
Is it still raining everywhere you are?

We didn't hide from it at all
No we just let it fall
In the morning she was gone and everything was dry
The city streets were crowded and I felt like I would die, Jolene

Jolene, Jolene
Is it still raining everywhere you are?

Now there's sunshine and flowers everywhere
And I don't care

All of these clouds will disappear
Like we were never here
But I swear there was a time I thought that it would never stop
And now I only think about you if it's raining or it's not, Jolene

Jolene, Jolene
Is it still raining everywhere you are?
Is it still raining everywhere you are?
Jolene, Jolene

• Jolene by The Weepies

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Dear Elphaba

Dear Elphie,

My little green bubble. We have had many good times together u and i. We have traveled to two different MWMF together, we have driven to Denver many a time, and up and down the mountain canyon. We have seen from Colorado to Washington DC and many stops along the way. We have seen friends, lovers, acquaintances, and people I honestly don't like very much between your walls. We have been through oil changes, and wiper exchanges and that popped tire that one time. There has been the crack in the windshield that has grown so ever bigger. You have made me friends and probably enemies with your outrageously gay stickers for peace, justice, and equality. Sadly I feel our time coming to an end-dwindling and idling by. You see we were once so happy together but now in the days ahead of driving up and down a mountain you are no longer the kind of bubble i need. you see elphie i need reliability, the kind that can only come with four wheel drive, I need a back window wiper for the icy snow days ahead. I need anti- skid protection, and if possible heated seats. I love you elphie my dear bubble with 50 mpg gas mileage and 6 disc cd changer. I love so many things about you, but sadly you are no longer what I need. I wish I could keep you but alas my budget and my heart cannot stand the strain of two relationships fighting for my heart and attention. So I have to say goodbye Elphie you will be missed, you are my baby, my freedom, my pleasure and my love. But it is on to new and different things something like a Subaru Outback wagon perhaps-a girl can dream you know.

Take care Elphie and stay calm like you always do,
Kathryn

I go Madly for Tristan Prettyman

I love Tristan Prettyman. From the first time I saw her open for Blues Traveler and then again for Jason Mraz at Luther College I have severely loved her. I say severely because she is one of those artists that has the ability to reach any situation at any time or point in my life and she also has been an artist that has really helped me through some severe physical pain: read she has made migraine headaches go away. But I am in love with the first single Madly-off her new album Hello which hasn't been released yet. It's traditional Tristan -upbeat guitar playin, singin chica-but it also has the ability to really reach the soul and give me a song that provides space for conflicted feelings. It incites similar feelings as Joni Mitchell's All I Want. Read: You hurt me but I still potentially love you. Maybe I am truly just the most bittersweet person of life-but the songs, movies, and T.V. that touches the pain and joy of life are the ones that really speak to me. At least this one speaks pretty easily in a fun ad somewhat optimistic way.
--
lyrics

Madly - Tristan Prettyman

I'm not surprised that you still call
I'm not surprised
I'm all surprised that i don't answer
pick up the phone to call you back
pick up the phone to call you back
ain't it funny how things work out like that

'cause the time that it takes to open my eyes
is the time that it took me to realize

madly madly madly
tell me that you need me
show me I'm the only and thats all i need to know.

madly madly madly
if you really love me,
when you see me leave and baby, just let me go

well i've been good, no i've been great
you say you're in a better place
and honestly, i might be for ya

but there's a tone in my voice that gives away my selfish choice.
can my heart beat any faster?

'cause the time that it takes to pass me by
is the time that it took me to realize

madly madly madly
tell me that you need me
show me I'm the only and thats all i need to know

madly madly madly
if you really love me,
when you see me leave and baby, just let me go

we'll give it up, try to find
what was with us all the time
gotta lose some things, if you're ever gonna get on by
and who was wrong, who was right
always end up in a fight
i thought i'd crumble, but no I'm fine.

madly madly madly
if you really love me
when you see me leave and just let me go

madly madly madly
well tell me that you need me and show me I'm the only and that's all i need to
know know know know

madly madly madly
if you really love me
when you see me leave and baby just let it go-no

madly madly madly
tell me that you want me
when you see me leave and baby
just let me go
--
no videos of this song yet-bummer that woulda been really cool.