This week, as well as making kombucha , practising daily yoga, wine revision, Mandarin classes, dance videos and other mental lock down activities, I have been painting. I am left handed and notoriously shite at anything requiring my hand to draw a straight line so actually I’m rather proud of my creations. I’ve been sending them to everyone I know. If I’ve got your address, please expect one soon. (Ps – cannot for the life of me work out how to make these featured images smaller. Very annoying.)
- Late night stalking your own social media from a million years ago
In The Shadows – The Rasmus
It was the year 2003 (ok so I didn’t have social media in 2003 – I think MySpace was the thing then but I wasn’t allowed it) – we had the Iraq War, Putin came to visit the UK and Mick Jagger was given a knighthood. At least that is what the internet tells me. I was too busy ironing Hama Beads and playing a weird pig game on Miniclip. This song might seem incongruous with those activities but such is the mixed up head of a 9 year old who thinks she’s 15.
- Fashion show of the old clothes you’ve just found
enemy – Charli XCX
Who’s the fashion show for? Nobody because nobody needs to see that nonsense. Charli XCX wrote this ‘experiential album’ (I never know what that means) while in lock down. I find a lot of the album difficult (I think I’m supposed to..?) but this is just a crackin pop song. Allegedly this is about her realisation that her boyfriend is closer to her than her friends and maybe he is an enemy.
- A post-bike ride cup of tea
Mama You’ve Been On My Mind – Jeff Buckley
Ok so I’ve just discovered the album Grace. I’m not proud of it but I got there in the end and that’s what counts. Indeed many prefer Bob Dylan’s version of this song but can’t we love both? I adore the the way this just sort of wanders around and envelopes you in its loveliness. One of my favourite artists is Lief Vollebekk and I was shocked to hear how similar he sounds to Jeff Buckley here. Beautiful.
- Pre-bike ride madness
Moon Hop – Derrick Morgan
Derrick Morgan wrote this in 1969 to commemorate man getting to the moon. I believe I do the Moon Hop when I prepare for a bike ride – back and forth forgetting glasses, gloves, water bottle, Garmin and all the other ridiculous bits you need for a ride (and obviously don’t keep in the same place). The chaos makes those first few turns of the pedals seem that bit more peaceful though and I like that.
- Peacefully painting in the sun
Hymn Eola – Tonstartssbandht
I’ll be honest, I know nothing about this song. I just listen to it and find it peaceful when creating my masterpieces (or doing a jigsaw).
- Crushing on every male you see at the supermarket
So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings – Caroline Polachek
I don’t really fancy everyone at the supermarket. I do ADORE Caroline Polachek though. Initially from the duo Charlift, I love everything about her take on pop music and production and videos and I am yet to not love a song by her.
- Writing letters
Naa Er Druene Paa Sitt Beste – Lindstrom & Prins Thomas
I don’t have anything to tell you about this other than that it sounds lovely and I like listening to it. Don’t even know if the title is in a real language… JUST GOOGLE TRANSLATED IT and it’s Norwegian (hence Lindstrom I guess) and it means ‘Now the Grapes are at their Best’. What an appropriate song for me to like.
- Losing another Zoom quiz
Get It Right Next Time – Gerry Rafferty
Who else never wants to do a quiz ever again – and it’s not just because I seem to be losing them all now. This is a lovely song about not beating yourself up too much, from the legend that is Gerry Rafferty. Poor guy, he got it right with Baker Street and then nobody seemed to care after that. I think this is a great song though.