Toxic

A mere two days have since passed, yet cries for my next entry rings through the lands already. It is my fault for creating such high expectations among my many readers with my writing frequency here, and for that I apologize for the apprehension caused. No, I was not killed in a horrific motor vehicle accident (yet). No, I was not abducted by seductive beauties eager to share my bed. And no, I was not bedded by an infectious venereal disease, too sick for another provocative entry.

Instead, my next Anthem Anthology feature encountered a setback since iMEEM did not boast an extensive selection, especially with the exclusion of such profound pieces of work. Rest assured though, for this inept internet junkie expended a considerable amount of time and amended this dreadful predicament finally, painstakingly uploaded the latest song intended for the next chapter of AA while sharing it with the deprived.

Either way, this delay is a blessing in disguise since then I was able to fully appreciate the gravity of such intricacies. Misinterpretations of intention are rife nowadays with the current complexity of language, where simple words can be mere gestures of jest to some as well as awkward sexual innuendos to others. In situations like these, should we seek for clarification and risk potential embarrassment or simply brush off the comments and ignore the whole dilemma altogether?

This song is an apt reminder of our callousness with words, and how an injudicious statement can hurt keener than the sharpest splinter. Worse, slights can fester and corrupt the soul; changing lives, burning bridges.

But enough philosophies on a Saturday, you probably already know this. Just enjoy the song.

Sticks and stones may break my bones
But words can burn a happy home, it's true
I've got words for you

The past is done it's gone forever
Don't tell me my pain is pleasure
You, you haven't got a clue

Oh, I wanna cry but I don't make a sound
I'm your child and your child is feeling down
Everybody’s toxic in this town

All gods children fade and die
In the name of lets get high
And then, we do it again

I pray the lord, my soul to keep
That when you coming down I'll be asleep
I can't pretend, it's killing me again

Oh, I wanna cry but I don't make a sound
I'm your child and your child is feeling down
Everybody’s toxic in this town

Call me in my lord I'm coming down
(Coming down)
Call me in my lord I'm coming down

Oh, I wanna cry but I don't make a sound
I'm your child and your child is feeling down
Everybody’s toxic in this town

Oh, I wanna cry but I don't make a sound
I'm your child and your child is feeling down
Everybody’s toxic in this town

Sticks and stones may break my bones
But words can burn a happy home, it's true
I've got words for you

Overkill

When engulfed in a wave of melancholy like I did, typically people will resort to alcohol or drugs to temporarily ease the aching, constantly chasing the high. To my concerned friends, fret not. I am still very much straight edge. Instead of travelling the substance dependency path, I am indulging to more family-oriented escapism: TV series. What better series than a parody of working life in a hospital? Scrubs to the rescue!

Hence, as can be seen in the following clip, today’s Anthem is featured in one of Scrubs’ episode.

How anyone can stay depressed after watching this baffles me.

What some do not know is that this is actually an oldie, but not old enough to have its own music video in MTV nonetheless. Now the ‘extra’ lyrics make more sense. =) Check out Colin Hay back then. Anyway, to me this song talks about the tendency of most of us to exaggerate our problems and overanalyzing trifling details to justify our emotions. With that, I suppose we should follow the advice in Verse 2 too, and break the monotony sometimes; like enjoying this video. =D

I cant get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications

Especially at night
I worry over situations
I know will be alright
Perhaps its just imagination

Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat, shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away

Alone between the sheets
Only brings exasperation
It’s time to walk the streets
Smell the desperation

At least there’s pretty lights
Although there’s little variation
It nullifies the night
From overkill

Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat, shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Come back another day

I cant get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications

Especially at night
I worry over situations
I know will be alright
Its just overkill

Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat, shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Ghosts appear and fade away
Ghosts appear and fade away

Listening for the Weather

Admittedly, mere acceptance of other’s predicaments provides no significant improvements within oneself aside from temporary comfort and thus, a change of perceptions might be needed to fully experience an uplifting of melancholy. Despite the exploitation of the following concept, so much that it is now a 21st century cliché; I find the appointment of minor goals to precede major ones very effective in successfully defeating despair.

Popularly termed as baby steps, it encourages the directing attention to the simple pleasures in the present, instead of dwelling in the past, no matter how hard it clings, or fearing of the future, no matter how much it threatens.

I can only assume this is one of the many possible implications that this song advocates. Enjoy!

So I'm listening for the weather to predict the coming day
Leave all thought of expectation to the weather man
No it doesn't really matter what it is he has to say
'Cause tomorrows keep on blowing in from somewhere

All the people that I know in the apartments down below
Busy with their starring roles in their own tragedies

Sunlight sends you on your way
And those restless thoughts that cling to yesterday
Never be afraid of change
I'll call you on the phone
I hate to leave you on your own
But I'm coming home today

And this busy inner city
Has got nothing much to say
And I know how much you're hanging round the letterbox
And I'm sure that as I'm writing
You'll be somewhere on your way
In a supermarket checkout or the restaurant

I've been doing what I'm told
I've been busy growing old
And the days are getting cold but that's alright with me

Sunlight sends you on your way
And those restless thoughts that cling to yesterday
Never be afraid of change
I'll call you on the phone
I hate to leave you on your own
But I'm coming home today
Yes I'm coming home today

I've been doing what I'm told
I've been busy growing old
And the days are getting cold but that's alright with me

Sunlight sends you on your way
And those restless thoughts that cling to yesterday
Never be afraid of change

Everybody Hurts

To all you doubters out there, question no more. The world DOES indeed revolve around me. It seem that during the time that I was flooded with depressing thoughts and emotions, the sky – or maybe even God himself – wept on my behalf.

For the benefit of those not in the know (i.e. the friends overseas or hermits with no interest in any local newspapers), the Malaysian capital suffered another flash flood that is reminiscent of the one we experienced in 2003 - oddly on the very same date. Considering the traffic conditions in our cherished state, it is no surprise then to find that such sudden downpour nearly crippled our roads, more so than usual.

This makes today’s continuation of the Anthem Anthology appropriate. As you will see by clicking on the play button, the music video features a massive traffic gridlock, not unlike the congestion that plagued downtown KL yesterday. It is definitely worth the lengthy loading time though, as the scenes of stagnant chaos is punctuated by quirky, albeit morose at times, thought quotes that we all can relate to one time or the other.

The lyrics are pretty self-explanatory too, without the intricate personifications that are favoured by most songwriters. I must admit that this song has been used to drag me out of my doldrums lately, and it is my hope that this works for readers undergoing discouraging circumstances too. Heck, the Corrs did a cover for it. True, severity of cases differ widely in terms of impact acuity, therefore I will not justify my anguish by comparing my misery with anyone else.

To the wounded now, acceptance of the possible existence of others with our similar distresses can be comforting while the faith that emerges from the acknowledgement of their successes in prevailing over their troubles is rejuvenating. So remember, everybody hurts… sometimes.

When the day is long and the night
The night is yours alone
When you're sure you've had enough of this life
Well hang on

Don't let yourself go
‘Cause everybody cries
And everybody hurts… sometimes
Sometimes everything is wrong
Now it's time to sing along

When your day is night alone (hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go (hold on)
When you think you've had too much of this life
Well hang on

‘Cause everybody hurts
Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts…

Don't throw your hand, oh no
Don't throw your hand
If you feel like you're alone
No, no, no, you are not alone

If you're on your own in this life
The days and nights are long
When you think you've had too much of this life
To hang on

Well, everybody hurts… sometimes
Everybody cries

Everybody hurts… sometimes
And everybody hurts… sometimes

So hold on, hold on
(Everybody hurts, you are not alone)