Opinions & Assholes

Everybody's got one.


I haven't been very inspired of late, hence the large gaping hole between this entry and the last. I haven't been up to much, just living. I've realised lately how much I'm relied upon. I guess it's flattering and I'm glad that I'm needed, but I sometimes can't help but feel like it's all a bit too much. No matter how much I want to fix things and put a sticky plaster on the problem and kiss it better, I just can't. I've been asked for advice on matters I've never experienced myself, I'm just bluffing and hoping I don't steer people in the wrong direction but in truth, I really don't have a notion what I'm talking about a good 70% of the time. I've talked to people about this, some said it's because I appear to have insight, others said it's simply because I don't tell people to fuck off when they come to me with their problems. Whatever it is, if nothing else it has given me perspective. I had a close friend come to me with a life-shattering secret. She was distraught and I still don't know why she told me out of most people- and don't get me wrong, I'm honoured she did- but helping her deal with her problem showed me how much growing up I still have to do, and showed me that the bullshit boy troubles and bitchy friend dilemma's I've been tackling are small potatoes. Things always work out and dwelling on things that are just a part of life does nothing but make you ill. As a friend from UCD said to me once: "Worrying is like a rocking-chair- it doesn't get you anywhere but it gives you something to do".
It's not always simple though. I've come up against hurdles with those I love. I've made a pact with myself that I no longer bite my tongue and I come clean with my thoughts and feelings towards people. I could begin by testing the water with a few sarcastic half-truths, but that's just as good as lying. People are not always appreciative of criticism. I completely understand. I have yet to grow a thick skin and even a joking insult has me questioning everything about myself. [sidenote- the self-confidence thing I'm working on... it's taken a nosedive. What am I doing wrong?! Damn]I do worry that my new honesty will get me into trouble, but I think these are the years I should dedicate to self-improvement, and I think in terms of my career goals, people will respect my opinion much more if I am honest. I refuse to be a Yes [wo]Man.
Hmm, I sense a few targets for myself over the coming year.... Maybe I can do it and update you on my progress?


Ok now for the lovely noise. Despite this blog being named after a None More Black song [more on them when I feel qualified to discuss their awesomeness], the Fight Like Apes reference in the preceding sentence and your blogger listening to The Lawrence Arms as she types this, I'm going to discuss Tegan and Sara!
T&S came under my radar about three years ago now. I think it was just after The Con was released and there was so much buzz on my myspace friends list that I felt I was missing something by not checking them out. They were so much better than I thought they would be. For those of you who are yet to listen, and I'm sure there are very few, Tegan and Sara are a set of Canadian twins, cute as a button and they can write a filthy good tune. They combine this mix of powerpop and alternative acoustic and even [at a stretch] riot grrrl and it's just infectious. I don't think I've once gotten bored of listening to them. Though the lyrics can at times be extremely abstract- especially in Tegan's case- the beauty of them is the fact that anyone can identify and deduce and believe that the song could've been written by their own hand. I love the fact that they've become expert story tellers stemming from a time when they didn't have enough material to fill a set; I love that they dress like 12 year old boys and it has somehow become a fashion statement; most of all I love that I have somehow memorised all the words to their songs and can regurgitate any of them on a drunken night walking down a road in ridiculous heels and still feel as good as I did the first time I got My Number stuck in my head.

Here's Nineteen. This acoustic version is simply astounding. Please listen to it even if you've heard the recorded version a million and one times. It's got particular meaning for me. What's yours?