I am a fan
So Clint bought me a Sarah McLachlan (see Danielle, I spelled it right!) Storytellers DVD for Christmas. There is this really cool thing that he has taught me since I met him-to be a fan. Not just to like someone's music and talk about it a lot, but to invest in their music by buying CD's, going to concerts, seeking out the stories behind the music, finding out who inspired them and buying those records too. I have always loved Sarah's music. She write some of the most dark, beautiful, and profound lyrics I've ever heard...but I can always identify with them. So last night I watched one of her DVD's for the first time, and it was incredible. I loved hearing the stories behind her songs, seeing her expressions as she sings her own music in front of a paying audience and realizing that she's just a person like anyone else. Something I thought was so cool...she gets so into the music that she actually sings along with the back-up singers at some points! Ooh ooh, and her husband is her drummer. That must be really hard, but it says a lot about him that he supports his wife like that. Very cool...
Some interesting facts...
*She's from Nova Scotia
*She was influenced by Cat Stevens, Peter Gabriel, and Kate Bush
*When she's writing, she stops listening to music because she doesn't want to wear her influences on her sleeve (the opposite of another beloved writer-Ryan Adams who wears them blatantly)
*Possesion was actually written A)partially from and B)to avoid being freaked out by psychotic fan mail-YIKES!
*Hold On was written in response to seeing a documentary on a woman who was engaged to a man and found out he had AIDS. Instead of leaving him, she married him, and took care of him until he died. This explains the lyrics "God, if you're out there won't you hear me. I know that we've never talked before... The man I love is leaving, won't you take him when he comes to your door." On the record, this song is really intense, almost angry...but on the DVD it sounded very positive. I thought that was interesting.
*Angel was actually written after she read an article about the key-boardist from the Smashing Pumkins who over-dosed on Heroin. It made her think about how we all have escapes, and even when you're on the road surrounded by people (and your husband) that it can be a very lonely place.
Man, I can't wait to get some more of her DVD's and hear the stories from SOLACE (Black, Shelter, Drawn to the Rythm) B-Sides (Gloomy Sunday), and Fumbling Towards Ecstasy's Ice
Sidenote-I went on a job interview yesterday for a Pharmaceutical Co-op Administrative Assistant position. If I take this get/take this job I stand to make over $10,000/year more than I make now. I liked the guy that interviewed me, who would be my boss. It seemed like a good environment to work-quiet, mostly older women, not a bunch of mindless fratboys hangin 'round the water cooler. I'd get to do some writing via a weekly newsletter to the members of the Co-op, but mostly I'd be there to keep everything flowing smoothly which I feel I do well. Plus I've always been interested in Pharmacy-hell my family practically IS a Pharmacy. What's worseI totally read pill books just for fun.To most people, this would be a no-brainer...but I really like the place I work. I like the people I work for...it's just I don't think there's room for advancement. I'm already filling in for the Accounts Payable Manager (which means I pay the bills for all 16 of our offices), and I'm the Worker's Comp/General Liability Liason. Impressive positions, un-impressive pay. I guess my biggest concern is that I'm going to get caught up in the "more money, more money" mentality until I find myself someplace I hate. And no matter how much money you make, working in a place you hate can only last so long. So I guess what I'm saying is...if you pray I'd appreciate the prayers or if you have some life-altering advice I'm always open. For now, I'm going to get back to the job I do have. Peace.