Art, a Feast for the Eyes

I have already written about music and how it crosses language barriers. The same can be said about art (I am talking paintings and such). So, I figured I'd take a small moment to pay homage to an artist that I have been drawn to the last few years: Jack Vettriano. I have a copy of the print "Dance Me to the End of Love" (top left) in my bedroom. To me, it speaks of old-time romance and class. Yes, you've guessed it, I am a romantic at heart. I also happen to love the print "Back Where You Belong" (top right). The colors and poses just seem to really strip down to bare feelings (doesn't it just scream love to you?). Okay, okay, enough mushiness...Check out Vettriano's prints if you get the chance. There are some really good ones: Night Geometry, The Singing Butler, etc...etc...He has a nice mixture of passion and old-time romance. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong era...

Music Creates Emotion

They say that music is an international language. Is this really true? Think about the classical music that is known by all, whether it be Beethoven, Mozart or Tchaikovsky, everyone has heard at least one of their pieces. The titles may not roll off the tongue (is it just me or are they all named something like "Concerto No.7 for Piano in F Minor"?), but most of us can recognize some of the major pieces. True, it may only be because they have been used in a TV commercial or just sampled in another remixed hip-hop tune, but these pieces of music have stood the test of time. The great composers were able to put together tunes that bring us to feel something (it could be great appreciation for their work or just a plain old "is this song EVER gonna end?" feeling). Since emotions don't have any particular language, I guess we can say that music can cross those barriers as long as we allow it to bring us to feel something. Even I will admit that I am partial to Tchaikovsky's piece that we know as "The Waltz of the Flowers" in the famous Christmas story The Nutcracker.

.

Here's a question that is often difficult for people to answer: What is your favorite song? There are so many tunes that we may hear that bring out an "Oh! I LOVE that song!!!" but when it comes right down to it, what IS your favorite song? Some people may have one for each type of music style they like or they may have one that is tied to a warm memory. I myself have a favorite song based on the emotion behind the lyrics as well as the lyrics themselves. I am a lover of music and have very eclectic tastes. I like everything from Tchaikovsky to The Gypsy Kings and Louis Armstrong to Linkin Park (please note that country and techno are not a part of my wide range of tastes). However, even with all the great songs out there, I have one that happens to tug at my heartstrings. It is from the musical "The Phantom of the Opera" which I absolutely loved and saw twice (it's also a great, yet gruesome book). Here are the lyrics:

.

Music of the Night

Night-time sharpens, heightens each sensation

Darkness stirs and wakes imagination

Silently the senses abandon their defences

.

Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendour

Grasp it, sense it - tremulous and tender

Turn your face away from the garish light of day

Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light

And listen to the music of the night

.

Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams

Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before

Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar

And you'll live as you've never lived before

.

Softly, deftly, music shall surround you

Feel it, hear it, closing in around you

Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind,

In this darkness which you know you cannot fight - the darkness of the music of the night

.

Let your mind start a journey through a strange new world

Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before

Let your soul take you where you long to be

Only then can you belong to me

.

Floating, falling, sweet intoxication

Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation

Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in

To the power of the music that I write - the power of the music of the night

.

You alone can make my song take flight - help me make the music of the night

.

I just love how this song is about the way the Phantom loves a woman (Christine) and wants so badly to share the dark world he must live in, knowing that it is not a world she is a part of. The pleading and sense of sadness always capture me when I hear this song. My favorite version of this song is by Colm Wilkinson because he has such a deep and emotional tone when he sings it. I get goosebumps upon goosebumps...

.

All this to say that music creates emotion in us. Whether it causes one to get "pumped up" for a soccer game in Italy or a hockey game in Canada...Whether it causes one to want to dance with a loved one...Whether it causes one to shed a tear...Music is a language that we all understand.

Named for a Cartoon Character

Okay, so the title may have caught your eye and you may be wondering 'what exactly does she mean by that?'. Well, let me clarify what I am alluding to: my younger brother was named for a cartoon character by yours truly. How's that for original? Our parents were having a hard time coming up with a possible name for a baby boy and asked me my opinion at the tender age of 5. Since I was only 5 what did I really have to draw on but the cartoon world that I enjoyed immensely? I figured that if I ended up with a baby brother and he was named for a hero, he would grow up to be that character. So, being a fan of "G-Force" (aka "Battle of the Planets") I asked my parents to use the name Mark (since that character was the leader), but since that name was already attached to a cousin of mine, it was a no go. Please remember that I was only 5...The next logical choice was Jason since he was the second in command and a fiery character...and VOILA! I ended up with a younger brother named for that character.

.

So after hours of trying to track down some information on my brother's "alter ego". Here is what I was able to find:

.

"No last name is given. Sometimes called 'Jase' for short by Princess. Jason is second-in-command of the G-Force team, and has shown a longing to be the leader, at times coming head to head with Mark and his decisions. He has a temper and is often referred to as a hot-head, yet he still cares deeply for his fellow teammates. He has the reputation of being one of the best race car drivers on Earth, and has competed in many interplanetary racing events. He also is the most likely of the team to be interested in pretty women, but they have an annoying tendency to somehow be affiliated with Spectra. Jason operates the weapons of the Phoenix and his vehicle is called the Spacemobile (real imaginative). He is knowledgeable about the defense systems of planets and facilities."

.

Age: 18

Nationality: Sicilian (Birthplace: the fictitious BC Island)

Hair: Reddish brown

Eyes: Blue

Side Occupation: Private small-time race driver

Residence: Small trailer which he tows to his race locations

Strengths: Excellent marksman; acts as chief gunner for the team. Good at mechanical solutions to problems (as opposed to Mark's strength in strategy), and uses the drill, blowtorch and cable attachments on his airgun to best advantage. Excels at throwing darts and knives; every member of the team carries feather shuriken, but use of these weapons becomes Jason's trademark.

.

So there we go...my lil bro's name origins are now documented for all to see. Love ya, Jay!