THIS IS A CROSS-POST FROM MY OTHER BLOG
MARK
How do you document real life when real life’s getting more like fiction each day?Headlines - bread-lines blow my mindAnd now this deadline “Eviction - or pay”Rent!
ROGER
How do you write a song when the chords sound wrong,though they once sounded right and rare? When the notes are sour Where is the power you once had to ignite the air?
MARK
And we’re hungry and frozen
ROGER
Some life that we’ve chosen
ROGER & MARK
How we gonna pay? How we gonna pay? How we gonna pay? Last year’s rent?
ROGER
How do you start a fire when there’s nothingto burn and it feels like something’s stuck in your flue?
MARK
How can you generate heatWhen you can’t feel your feet?
ROGER & MARK
And they’re turning blue!
MARK
You light up a mean blaze
ROGER
With posters -
MARK
And screenplays
ROGER & MARK
How we gonna pay? How we gonna pay?How we gonna pay? Last year’s rent?
COLLINS
How do you stay on your feet when on every streetIt’s “trick or treat” and tonight it’s “trick”“Welcome back to town” I should lie downEverything’s brown, and uh-ohI feel sick
MARK
Where is he?
COLLINS
Getting dizzy
ROGER & MARK
How we gonna pay
TENANTS
How we gonna payHow we gonna pay
ROGER, MARK & TENANTS
Last year’s rent
MARK
“The music ignites the night with passionate fire”
ROGER
“The narration crackles and pops with incendiary wit”
MARK
Zoom in as they burn the past to the ground
ROGER & MARK
And feel the heat of the future’s glowHow do you leave the past behindWhen it keeps finding ways to get to your heart?It reaches way down deep and tears you inside out“Til you’re torn apartRent!
ROGER, MARK & TENANTS
How can you connect in an ageWhere strangers, landlords, loversYour own blood cells betray!What binds the fabric togetherWhen the ringing, shifting winds of changeKeep ripping away!
BENNY
Draw a line in the sandAnd then make a stand!
ROGER
Use your camera to spar
MARK
Use your guitar
TENANTS
When they act tough - you call their bluff
ROGER & MARK
We’re not gonna pay
ROGER, MARK & TENANTS
We’re not gonna payWe’re not gonna payLast year’s rent! This year’s rent!Next year’s rentRent rent rent rent rentWe’re not gonna pay rent!!
‘Cause everything is RENT!!!
If you’re unfamiliar with Rent, it is a very powerful story about friends battling disease, relationships, societal norms, mulitculturalism, addiction, sexual orientation and many other contemporary issues. The story is incredibly powerful and an incredible message that I believe imperative to reach thousands of people around the world, enlightening them through the power of theatre and music to the horrible truth that so many people all around the world are suffering from: poverty, AIDS (as well as other diseases) and being shunned and outcasts of society because of personal lifestyle. The story is touching and powerful, written originially as an off-Broadway show written by Jonathan Larson.
I believe it is a very important message to spread as far and wide as it possibly can be, and with the DVD release today, I pray that the story is shared with as many people as possible.
God Bless.
No day but today.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
My thoughts on Valentine's Day
First of all, let me wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day!
Today I've talked with quite a few people about today, with many varying ideas and opinions on the holiday. It caused me to think about my own opinion of Valentine's Day. When I was younger, in elementary school especially, I loved this holiday, simply because it was one more opportunity to do less school work and have lots of candy. I grew older anticipating the day I would have a boyfriend and have some sort of picture perfect, romantic Valentine's Day.
Now, my personal opinion of Valentine's Day is that I do not like this day. I am opposed to it fundamentally. And today in voicing my own opinion of today by saying "yeah, I hate Valentine's Day" I'm certain that many people I talked to probably are under the impression that I'm just bitter or cynical or both.
That, however, is not true. Some people may be bitter or cynical about today because they are single, another name often heard instead of Valentine's Day is "Single's Awareness Day". That is not the view I take, however, I dislike Valentine's Day even when I have a boyfriend, that fact has nothing to do with my own personal opinion of the holiday.
So, here's the deal: I've had a boyfriend on Valentine's Day before, and I've been single on Valentine's Day before. I have indeed experienced it both ways, and in both cases, I dislike it.
The harsh reality of the day:
I hate the fact that there is a designated day to tell someone you love them. Life is much to short to wait a year to do something special for the one you love. All the things people typically do on Valentine's Day should be spread out throughout the year. It's more meaningful that way because it really honestly comes from the person, not just society's idea that on February 14 everyone is supposed to tell the people they care about how much they love them, and even more, buy them stuff. Every day should be devoted to those we love, if it isn't, which it often isn't, there are some serious problems in our society. Love is an emotion that, in my opinion, should be shared as much as possible every single day of the year, not reserved for a cold day in February.
Now, that is not to say that I don't appreciate all the cute things that people often do for each other on Valentine's Day. I enjoy getting meaningful presents from the one's I love. Last year I was given a very special, meaningful gift. It was a beautiful chenille throw blanket, in my favorite color. Not only was the blanket original, and thoughtful, but my boyfriend told me that each time I wrapped it around me, it was a hug from him. It was the most special and thoughtful gift I've ever been given for this holiday. Gifts like candy, lingerie, and even the cliché dozen red roses should not be given on this day! Women don't want candy since most are on a diet anyway (the exception here being really good chocolate such as Godiva). Women also don't want gifts of lingerie which are really for the men anyway. MEN: do not buy women sexy clothes for Valentine's Day, its not what she wants! EVER! Also, buying a dozen red roses is much to cliché unless it happens to be her favorite flower. Flowers in and of themselves are good ideas, but be sure to find out what her favorites are, and get those, don't just guess. Another failsafe is a nice piece of jewelery. You'll never lose with that, unless its cheap jewelery, and women always find out, believe me!
I hope that this might clear up what my own personal opinions of Valentine's Day are, and once again, I wish everyone a wonderful day!
Today I've talked with quite a few people about today, with many varying ideas and opinions on the holiday. It caused me to think about my own opinion of Valentine's Day. When I was younger, in elementary school especially, I loved this holiday, simply because it was one more opportunity to do less school work and have lots of candy. I grew older anticipating the day I would have a boyfriend and have some sort of picture perfect, romantic Valentine's Day.
Now, my personal opinion of Valentine's Day is that I do not like this day. I am opposed to it fundamentally. And today in voicing my own opinion of today by saying "yeah, I hate Valentine's Day" I'm certain that many people I talked to probably are under the impression that I'm just bitter or cynical or both.
That, however, is not true. Some people may be bitter or cynical about today because they are single, another name often heard instead of Valentine's Day is "Single's Awareness Day". That is not the view I take, however, I dislike Valentine's Day even when I have a boyfriend, that fact has nothing to do with my own personal opinion of the holiday.
So, here's the deal: I've had a boyfriend on Valentine's Day before, and I've been single on Valentine's Day before. I have indeed experienced it both ways, and in both cases, I dislike it.
The harsh reality of the day:
I hate the fact that there is a designated day to tell someone you love them. Life is much to short to wait a year to do something special for the one you love. All the things people typically do on Valentine's Day should be spread out throughout the year. It's more meaningful that way because it really honestly comes from the person, not just society's idea that on February 14 everyone is supposed to tell the people they care about how much they love them, and even more, buy them stuff. Every day should be devoted to those we love, if it isn't, which it often isn't, there are some serious problems in our society. Love is an emotion that, in my opinion, should be shared as much as possible every single day of the year, not reserved for a cold day in February.
Now, that is not to say that I don't appreciate all the cute things that people often do for each other on Valentine's Day. I enjoy getting meaningful presents from the one's I love. Last year I was given a very special, meaningful gift. It was a beautiful chenille throw blanket, in my favorite color. Not only was the blanket original, and thoughtful, but my boyfriend told me that each time I wrapped it around me, it was a hug from him. It was the most special and thoughtful gift I've ever been given for this holiday. Gifts like candy, lingerie, and even the cliché dozen red roses should not be given on this day! Women don't want candy since most are on a diet anyway (the exception here being really good chocolate such as Godiva). Women also don't want gifts of lingerie which are really for the men anyway. MEN: do not buy women sexy clothes for Valentine's Day, its not what she wants! EVER! Also, buying a dozen red roses is much to cliché unless it happens to be her favorite flower. Flowers in and of themselves are good ideas, but be sure to find out what her favorites are, and get those, don't just guess. Another failsafe is a nice piece of jewelery. You'll never lose with that, unless its cheap jewelery, and women always find out, believe me!
I hope that this might clear up what my own personal opinions of Valentine's Day are, and once again, I wish everyone a wonderful day!
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