Smile

It is February and the singer from Deni's calendar is singing to his bear friend Chaplin's SMILE. Here is Dean Martin's version...


...and Chick Corea's piano...
 

Che cantare?

This song is on the radio and it brings back memories.

For the first time I heard it on the bus travelling to the airport in Vienna. We were leaving and it was a sad good-bye, with tears falling down...

Another memory - a completely different environment. I was in a cafe in Lugano with friends laughing, having fun... and then this song again! I had to find out who was singing.
I tried to ask the waiter in English. No success.
I asked the girl if she spoke French or Spanish (I had French and Spanish speaking friends there).
No.
I tried body language. She thought I said the music was too loud.
No, no, no...
Then she remembered Roberto working in the kitchen spoke some English, and went in looking for him. After a while she came back alone. No Roberto...
German?, I asked hopeless...
Oh, yes, another waiter knew some German.
The German speaking lady did not look very happy she had to deal with me but she was helpful. She took me to the player, took out the CD and showed it to me. Mystery solved!

As broken as this sounds, it would have been so easy if I had just remembered two simple Italian words that I know: "Che cantare?"

Simple Pleasures

 ...bliss I finally found
In ordinary home-made treasures
On familiar ground
When I'm with you--the time's so precious
Hours flying past
We've got to take some long-term measures
So simple joy is here to last...

After the abundant lamb lunch (as tradition says on St. George Day) I took my notebook and went out in the garden meaning to do some work. But once I found myself sitting in the sun, I quickly changed my mind, and ended up having a short nap, listening to nice old music. Doggy obviously also found peace as I could hear his deep sighs somewhere close to my head...

Autumn Leaves in Summer

A hot lazy summer afternoon at home in the middle of the week... No, I'm not on holidays. Have been doing training lately, day in, day out. A deserved Wednesday afternoon break.

la femme d'argent

Yesterday I was going back home from work, approaching our house, walking slowly, waiting for my doggy find a nice place to shit. I don't know what is so special about this ritual. However, he usually takes his time and needless to say, eventually chooses the most inappropriate place. So, I was rummaging through my bag looking for a plastic bag, when I suddenly heard this song coming from somewhere far. It was such a mysterious sensation! Did I really hear the song? Where was it coming from?

I used to love Air's Moon Safari and listened to it maybe twenty times in a row. For days, and weeks. Ten years ago, this is to say... And now this song was in the air floating around. You could hear that the sound was great, even from afar.

Is it possible that I have a neighbour listening to Air? No, I don't think so. (Yes, I have my preconceived ideas.) Maybe the white car waiting at the crossroad? No, it made an U-turn, but the sound stayed... I loved this moment and I needed someone to be grateful to for it. (OK, someone more specific than the Dear God.) As I came closer I finally got it - the fancy bar across the street. This time they definitely surprised me with their choice of music.

Guys, even though I don't like it that you play your music too loud on Fridays and Saturdays, and in fact I rarely like what you play, I now love you for La femme d'argent and this rare moment of beauty you have given me. Thank you!

dancing on the ceiling

Can you imagine sleeping in front of the TV while VH1 play their top 50 party hits?

I was so very tired and scared of everything happening this week. Last night I needed to do something for relaxation after the long hours spent in hospital. So, I somehow discovered that the choice of TV shows is enormous. No wonder people spend so much time watching television. I found my perfect cure for the evening - VH1's countdown of top 50 party hits ever. This good old Lionel Richie song made me dance and jump in front of the TV. And then I said, "OK, and now let's take a breath." And the cat was obviously waiting for me to calm down and as long as I found myself on the sofa, he came rushing to me with his purring in my ear. The greatest nap I've recently had! I only woke up to find out that Billy Jean was No 2, and not No 1 as I was expecting.

Her Morning Elegance

I found this very beautiful and poetic...