Songs for my 241 Peeps-

I apologize for not getting everyone a song. It’s hard to tell who is still in the class, so I opted for the most recent roll-call. The tunes aren’t meant to signify my intimate knowledge of your personality, perhaps just a reflection of one of your writings, or a particular aspect that has come out in class. Double nickels on the dime, no one will have heard of most of these bands/songs. I have included a link if you’re interested.

Richard: “Reach for the sky” by Social Distortion. I think you’re a hyper-intelligent writer who says little because he’s always thinking. Your insight portends a possible career in counseling. Keep your eye on the ball, hombré. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRK8P94QXxQ

Kesia: “Los Angeles” by X. The consummate tome for the disease-riddled lady that is LA. Just remember--nothing is what it seems, and you can always leave. Never get caught up in the façade that is illuminated by the mercury vapor haze. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of4XZVBVOIs

Frank: “The Curse of Millhaven” by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. I can totally see you as a hard-nosed editor at a newspaper one day (if they still exist). I can also see a perversely dark streak in you that sees the ridiculous nature of our modern life. I can appreciate this outlook. And this particular romp is just plain fun to sing along to as you’re eyeing the landscape. “Foul play can really get a small town going’” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACG9wv69bKU

Andrew: “True Confessions” by RJD2. I think you have some hidden (friendly) ghosts that follow you around. We should all be so lucky. If you find them, let them know it’s okay to come out in the open and dance in front of the choir. In fact, buy them a drink, get them really blotto, and make them tell you what they have been doing all these years. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEEeiju9das

Gordon: “Eating People” by King Missile. Well, this song is about eating people. And you, Gord, should know the nutritional value of what we choose to put on our plates. Have you thought about writing a cookbook? Benevolent cannibalism might just save the planet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeDLzTObXFY

Ashley: “Plea from a Cat Named Virtue” by The Weakerthans. I see you as a cat in a previous life. And if this cat could talk to its owner, perhaps you might reprimand them as Virtue does in this song. But maybe I’m wrong. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdwMkA1WaGU

Kelli: “Wrapped in my Memory” by Shawn Smith. I think of this song when I reminisce about a departed loved one. The story about your friend resonated with me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTYqojQmYiQ

Cat: “A distorted reality is now a necessity to be free” by Elliott Smith. The title says it all, but I think sometimes you might need a distorted reality to find your muse running around, screaming at you to take the next bold step. This is not a criticism, but a quality that I think you can bring out and get slightly off the bubble for a while. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgOn7wuC3tk

Meredith: “Basketball Jones” by Cheech and Chong. I couldn’t help it. This is some old school basketball nonsense. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIbp5C-5WXM

Noelle: “This is The Sea” by The Waterboys. I think you’ll surprise just about anybody who listens to you-when you speak. You’re on the cusp of swimming out past the breakers if you give it a chance. You might even run into Captain Jack Sparrow and his ship of misfits while you’re out there. Be crazy, get crazy, eccentricity will throw people off and get you where you want to be. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk469q3-EIc

Charity: “Wandering Stars” by Portishead. I picked this because I love her voice. It has a twilight quality that makes you want to walk out amongst the stars and look for night-blooming jasmine. You have a unique voice as well. Don’t argue with me--I was in radio. You can tell a story, and with your voice, you can tell it with more authenticity. Rock the mic, Charity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEQNAZGoZrw

Wayne: “Three Sheets to the Wind” by Sage Francis. After reading your blog entry, I realized that you are a true survivor. I wish you the strength and fortitude to keep up the good fight. Keep getting up. No half measures. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ozpjYidPh4

Bridget: “Up Over The Mountain” by Iron and Wine. To you and Cassidy. And “Moon over Marin” by Matthew Good (covering a Dead Kennedy’s song). A hopeful and scathing glimpse of this country’s environmental future. If we have one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Kh09MuIfIU and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95KFYgDFe6E

Amy: “Waiting for the great leap forward” by Billy Bragg. The song makes me want to get up and get going. I think you’re already doing all that, but I though I’d send a little encouragement nonetheless. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFYyS-5i3y0

Josh: “Running on Empty” by Jackson Browne. I see your boundless energy and I wonder where your nuclear reactor is located? When will the reactor shut down? I don’t see it happening anytime soon, and I hope that you keep an eye on the horizon. Things come at you quickly, especially if you’re running towards them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC-pkV1s0Zc

David: “Bus stop boxer” by The Eels. I have this image of you with a hooded sweatshirt on, standing at a bus stop, wrestling people for bus fare. That’s it. No real insight. Try not to break anything as your career progresses. Bionics aren’t yet able to completely rebuild you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJZ00sH00BI&feature=related