Three songs... Three lives.

Three people, each with a story to tell of perseverance and courage. Each song as unique as the persons performing them. Each one has brought meaning into my life both with the way they handled adversity and with the way they put passion into their music and at the same time each song has a special meaning to me...

Roxette - Salvation (1999)

[via FoxyTunes / Roxette]
"Salvation" Lyrics
I can barely remember my past
Everything seems to disappear so fast
But I recall being jealous and alone
Gazing at the dreams going by

I started my life when you knocked on the door
Found something inside I didn't dare to ignore
Now I do believe in flowers on the moon
I'll swim beside the golden tide

You crashed by the gate
Captured my fate, salvation
My eyes couldn't see, I hardly breathed
I was diving so deep, salvation

I'm down in the study holding on to my luck
Will you still love me when I call you up?
I gave you my body, the power over me
Come on, bring out the best in me, ohh yeah

You crashed by the gate
Captured my fate, salvation
My eyes couldn't see, I hardly breathed
My heart was asleep, salvation

Some will get broken
Others will get lucky like me meeting you
Don't pass me by

Salvation
Salvation

You crashed by the gate
Captured my fate, salvation
My eyes couldn't see, I hardly breathed
I was down on my knees, salvation

Some will get broken
Others will get lucky like me meeting you
Don't pass me by
Don't pass me by

I found salvation, ooh yeah
You bring me salvation, ohh
I found salvation
You bring me salvation, ohh yeah

"In 2002 Marie Fredriksson was diagnosed with a brain tumor in the back of her head. She then endured months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments and it was not certain she would make it. She received some permanent damage to her brain, losing the ability to read and count, some vision in her right eye, and some loss of movement in her right side.

In January 2003 Roxette were awarded the 'Royal Medal with Blue Ribbon' by King of Sweden Carl Gustaf XVI. The ceremony was the first event at which Fredriksson appeared after her operation."

The way she handled this crisis in her and her family's life will always inspire me. The song is a reminder how blessed I am...

Rosenstolz & Marc Almond - Total Eclipse

[via FoxyTunes / Rosenstolz]
Big shots,
argue about what they've got,
making the planet so hot,
hot as a holocaust.
Blow up,
every thing's going to go up,
even if you don't show up,
in your chemise Lacoste.
Total eclipse,
it's a total eclipse,
it's a total eclipse of the sun,
world come to this,
with the total eclipse,
just a slip of your lips,
and you're done.
Fallout,
nobody left to crawl out,
if someone calls we're all out,
turning into French fries.
Last dance,
let the entire cast dance,
due to dismembered,
last dance,
as we get atomized.
Total eclipse,
it's a total eclipse,
it's a total eclipse of the sun,
world come to this,
with the total eclipse,
just a slip of your lips,
and you're done.

"On 17 October 2004, Almond was badly injured in a motorbike accident in London, in which he was a pillion passenger. Although the initial prognosis was considered poor, he was discharged from Royal London Hospital on around 6 November 2004 and was said to be making a "remarkable" recovery. Two months later he was giving press and TV interviews saying he could not wait to get back on stage. His recovery was, however, to take longer than he thought, involving several operations and counseling for post traumatic stress disorder."

Marc's latest show is sold out, a sign that he has recovered and overcome the injuries sustained, he somone that clearly is not a quitter. Truly a case of not judging a book by it's cover. The song is a favorite for the way it is executed, brilliant singing from both Marc and Nina Hagen.

Kylie Minogue - I Believe in you

[via FoxyTunes / Kylie Minogue]

"I Believe In You" Lyrics
I don't believe you know me
Though you know my name
I don't believe the faults I have
Are only mine to blame

I don't believe that magic
Is only in the mind
I don't believe I'd love somebody
Just to pass the time

But I believe in you
And I believe in you

I don't believe that beauty
Will ever be replaced
I don't believe a masterpiece
Could ever match your face

The joker's always smiling
In every hand that's dealt
I don't believe that when you die
Your presence isn't felt

But I believe in you
And I believe in you
But I believe in you
And I believe in you

And if you ever have to go away
Nothing in my world could ever be the same
Nothing lasts forever, but together 'til then
I'll give you everything I have, again and again

'Cause I believe in you, I believe in
I believe in you, I believe in
I believe in you, I believe in
I believe in you, I believe in

'Cause I believe in you
And I believe in you
But I believe in you
And I believe in you

I believe in you, I believe in
I believe in you, I believe in
I believe in you, I believe in
I believe in you, I believe in

I believe, I believe, I believe in you

"Her children's book, The Showgirl Princess, written during her period of convalescence, was published in October 2006, and her perfume, "Darling", was launched in November. On her return to Australia for her concert tour, she likened her cancer battle and chemotherapy to experiencing a nuclear bomb, and expressed her determination to resume her career."

The poise and manner in wich she handled this crisis showed that although she may have come across to some as being shallow she really has character and a strong positive outlook, a role model for her fans.
All of these stars are shining examples of belief in a positive outcome even in the face of adversity. They have Joy in their lives and they share it with us through their music.
The song... well I think it speaks for itself...
My quote comes from "Bucket List", go see the movie... it will make you think and make you laugh... we both found it wonderful to watch last night... I am thinking I have a blog all about the topic.
"Laugh till you cry"

Rough Men

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." George Orwell (1903 - 1950)
Being a South African and an ex infantryman one relates to this quote a lot, our media is filled with reports from here and afar about all sorts of mayhem and in the meantime the politicians sleep, secure in the knowlege that a bunch of rough men are guarding them, not so the average joe behind his burglar proofed house or even worse the woman in her shack... methinks it is time for some rough men to wake up the politicians in their own beds.
Continuing the thread but in a more world wide vein makes me think of all the forces fighting Islamic terrorism, yes I am calling it by name, until the followers of Islam stand up and fight this blight on their name it will continue to exist. Gemany banned and actively prosecute any Nazism but hey it's ok to teach a 6 year old that bombing infidels or Israelis is ok if you are a muslim... Reminds me of;
"We can forgive you for killing our sons. But we will never forgive you for making us kill yours."
Golda Meir (1898 - 1978), Golda Meir to Anwar Saddat just before the peace talks.
I believe the people of this earth that have become victims of this most abhorrent terror feel exactly the same as the above quote... We do not want to but will if needs be take the fight to the enemy as the USA has done. Y'all out there that think this is about oil should read the Good Book, ah! but you don't do you? That is irrellevant in todays new age world... The devil makes those blind he has decieved.
"As close as we are today, tomorrow when we come back from that battlefield, we will be as close as two men can possibly be, sharing a bond that can only be forged in the face of imminent disfigurement. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother."
Jeff Melvoin, Northern Exposure, Kaddish for Uncle Manny, 1993
Comrades in arms... I feel for the troops in Iraq and Afganistan... I was a lucky one, never ever heard a bullet crack in anger, never ever had to kill an enemy but I saw things no young man should see. The experience made me realise how one has to depend on one another, later on as a section leader I learned that to lead was a responsibility not a right, having one of your troops silently lift the heavy radio off your pack and take it himself without being ordered is a humbling experience but you know that he would follow you to the gates of hell and back if needed. Thanks Guys!
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873)
Ok shoot me for that one... but I agree 100% I Hope and pray that the resolve of the American people will stand fast and elect someone that has proven his ability over the last four years...
This was originally posted just before the 2004 elections in the USA. I still feel te same way today, 3 years later.

Payback's a Bitch called Spectre

Well done guys!
Ouch, that must smart!
Fact file: AC-130 gunship The mother of all nightmares if you are a terrorist...
Now this is what I call war... not the nambly pambly affair being waged in Iraq, if the sucker has a gun smoke him... if he smells of explosive, bite him... if he runs away, ditto with SpookyII!

Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one.

This quote by A. J. Liebling (1904 - 1963), was long before the Internet and Blogging. Today anyone with access to the Internet can put their thoughts, view's and rants on the WWW for all to see yet we still have Countries that cannot accept that the world is a village and try to stifle free speech. May they all fall like the Berlin wall!
With this freedom however comes a terrible responsibility and unfortunately we have people on the Internet that have no conscience or morals that abuse this wonderful gift with abuse, spam and other nefarious deeds. May they rot in hell!
Long live the ability for people to express their thoughts freely!

A day to remember

Mijne Broeders en Mede-landgenoten,
hier staan wij tans op een ogenblik voor een
heilige God van Hemel en aarde om een
belofte aan Hem te beloven,
als Hij met Zijn bescherming met ons zal
wezen, en onze handen zal
geven dat wij hem overwinnen, dat wij die
dag en datum elk jaar
als en verjaardag en een dankdag zoals een
Sabbat in Zijn eer zullen doorbrengen;
en dat wij een tempel to Zijn eer stichten
zullen, waar het Hem zou behagen;
end dat wij het ook aan onzen kinderen
zullen zeggen, dat zij met ons erin moeten
delen, tot gedachtenis ook voor onze
opkomende geslachten.
Want de ere van Zijn Naam daardoor zal
verheelikt worden, dat de roem en eer van
overwinning
aan Hem zal worden
gegeven.
"With these words A group of about 470 Voortrekkers, led by Andries Pretorius, defended a laager (circle of ox wagons) against Zulu impis, ruled by King Dingane and led by Dambuza (Nzobo) and Ndlela kaSompisi, numbering between 10 and 20 thousand.
Partly due to the fact that the Voortrekkers used rifles and at least one light cannon against the Zulus' spears, as well as the good location and motivation of the Voortrekkers, only three Voortrekkers were wounded and none perished; that contrasted against the more than 3,000 Zulu warriors who died."
We celebrate the day of Reconcilliation today but at the same time we remember what God did that day as well. He has saved this country on many occasions and I just hope that people will always bear this in mind when times are tough.

A few good men

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)
With this quote I take my hats off to our police, yes that some are corrupt is a fact but there are still a few good men in the ranks and their example outshines all the bad as far as I am concerned.
What we need for this to be reinforced is that the media should go out and get the "good news" that happens every day. I truly believe if for a month we see the good that is being done in our communities we will change the perception that Cops are Crooked.
This is my challenge to the Media of this fair land...