DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?

What an incredible day. It is payday, so I decided to get my hair cut (seriously overdue). My coiffeuse, an old friend, is located off the lobby of the best hotel in town. I had just left the salon and was strolling through the lobby, enjoying the Christmas decorations, when I heard a deep voice say "Excuse me, but don't I know you?" I looked up, and there stood my dear old friend, Francois-Xavier. He and his partner have been living for the past few years in Quebec City, and we have been mostly out of touch for that time, although never out of one another's minds.

Yesterday, I had mentioned his name in my Thursday 13 blog. He was my best friend at university, and I have missed him. He and Marc have moved back to the area, purchased a house and are planning on staying put! I am deliriously happy about this, for completely selfish reasons. Francois-Xavier was one person with whom I could always be completely myself, without pretense. He would think there was something wrong if I wasn't occasionally bitchy, or depressed, or manic. He was always the same way, anyway. LOL.

After that exquisite reunion, I arrived home tonight to a message that some of my other friends had sent me flowers to brighten my day. I don't remember the last time someone did that. It made me cry with happiness. Ann, Vinny: talk about shining, happy people - I am absolutely glowing. I'm not sure I am deserving of such kindness but, man, it feels amazing!

I'm not asking for anything else for Christmas this year, because I have one of the greatest gifts imaginable. Thank you, God, for the friendships in my life. They are infinitely more precious to me than any other gift I could wish for. I feel truly blessed to have these wonderful people as a part of my world.

TAYLOR'S NEW SONGS

Ok, after listening to each about 20 times, Runaround has grown on me. I can see the appeal. It's a bit immature melodically, and way too mainstream, but it's bouncy and upbeat and catchy. The drummer is inspired, btw. Not sure it will stand out, but it's not a bad choice for an Idol release. Reminds me a bit of Phil Collins in the 80's, to be honest. (think "Can't Hurry Love") Every musician does stuff like this in their career. It won't be remembered as his greatest hit, but it's a decent enough start. It still sounds like Taylor, too, which garners bonus points in my books.

I'd prefer not to talk about Dream Myself Awake, it's that blech to me, but I will force myself. This song, after numerous listens, is still unremarkable. I've heard a million just like it, and even hearing Taylor's voice singing it doesn't improve it. To me, it's an album filler. I kind of hoped Taylor would be able to avoid that sort of thing, but there it is. The lyrics are stagnant and hackneyed, the melody is repetitive and uninteresting. This song even sucks the originality out of Taylor's sound. It could be anybody's song, even JT. Hope to God they don't release this as a single.

And now, my dear friends ... let's go to The Right Place. This is a prayer. It's a hosanna of a song. The match to Taylor's voice is uncanny. Whoever wrote this is brilliant beyond belief. Even now, after 35 - 36 - 37 listens, I can do nothing else when I hear it but listen. The world slows, and this song becomes the pulse in my veins. The melody is poignant, yet powerful. The instrumentation is inspired in its simplicity. That piano part - I can hardly wait to get my hands on it! During those emotion-laden pauses, I find myself holding my breath. Taylor's voice caresses this song with a lover's hands. It breaks my heart that it is unlikely to be his first single off the album, because it's without a doubt the most representational of Taylor's roots, and demonstrates all the best qualities of his voice. Reasonably, though, I know the first single is usually upbeat, which makes Runaround the best option (of these three).

THURSDAY THIRTEEN #3

I'm going to keep it short and simple. My blog theme this week is relationships. I got the idea from the very poignant Chris Reeve quote at the top there. Plus, today is Thanksgiving in the USA, and even though I'm not an American, I have some very close friends who are. So, in their honour, here are 13 relationships that I am thankful for:

1. My son Brennan. He came into my life as a gift, and has enriched my life immeasurably ever since. I love you, Booboo.

2. My brother Eric (Bubba). If ever I needed to know that someone had my back, all I had to do all my life was look to you. You're still doing it. Thank you for all that you are.

3. My grandmother, Christiana. If there was one person in my life who made me into the person I am today, it would be you. You accepted me and loved me unconditionally all my life. You taught me what is important in the world, and what is just window dressing. I miss you every day, Gram.

4. My oldest friends, Juanita, Angy, Rhonda, Francois-Xavier, Sylvain. My support system here at home. We may be involved in our own lives right now, but we've always been there for each other when it mattered the most. Thank you for still being my friends even when we can't be together.

5. My newest friends, Vinny, Anndi, Sue, Dana, and all those members of the Soul Patrol with whom I've shared so much of my life this year. You have changed me, opened me up to new possibilities. I can't name every one of you here, but your names are imprinted on my heart forever.

6. My parents. Mom and Dad, you didn't always understand me, but I've always known you love me. Thank you for everything you've been, every value you've modelled. And thank you especially for so readily accepting Brennan and demonstrating love to him.

7. My colleagues and friends, Robin, Abbey, Debbie, Erica, Monique. You've been there for me so many times when I needed a distraction from life's little vagaries.

8. My band and choir members. This may sound weird, but I love my job with a passion that knows no bounds. The job itself is like a most delicious cake, but the kids involved in my extracurricular endeavors, well, they are the icing on the cake. This is where I get to know them on a more individual basis. This is where I can do the most good. This is where they really touch my heart.

9. My students. Sometimes they are angels, sometimes they test my patience. Through it all, they are themselves in a way adults seldom are. I get to know them as they are developping into the people they will be for the rest of their lives. If I am lucky, they remember some of what I teach them: to mind their manners; to work hard; how being kind costs nothing but repays huge dividends; to leave things behind you a little bit better than they were before you arrived. Yeah, I teach music, too, but there's so much more than that to my job.

10. My niece and nephew. Rachel and Nick, you were "my" kids before Brennan came along. I am so glad you are a part of our lives.

11. Mandy and Daisy. You have been my comfort and my security for so many years. I know you are "just" dogs, but my life would have been so empty without you. Mandy, we miss you, pumpkin.

12. Richard. Many of the people who read this will have never heard your name, or previously known of the impact you have had on my life. When you took me on as a student, no one was more astounded than I was. Everybody knew you only accepted the most gifted pianists. I don't know if you saw something in me that no one else ever had, but within a year, you had molded me into something more than simply adequate. I know it disappointed you when I ended my career as a concert pianist, but we all know now that my destiny was preordained, and you have forgiven me for becoming a lowly teacher, haven't you? I've only told you this a couple of times, mon ami: Je t'aime, mon cher prof.

13. My ex-husband. Some of you may find it odd that I included him here, but it is for a very good reason. Thank you, Dave, for showing me all the things I don't want in my future relationships. It may have taken me eleven years to learn that particular lesson, but my life is mine now, in a way it never was before, and I have your (albeit difficult) lessons to thank for the recent changes in my world.

DEDICATION

I registered on the American Idol website in February 2006. Since that time, I have met some of the most wonderful people I have ever known. We have shared our lives, our stories and our creativity with one another. We have supported one another through good times and bad.

These have, ironically, been the best months and the worst months of my life. My time with the Soul Patrol has kept me sane, while my life was seemingly falling apart around me. A few have gone far beyond what one could reasonably expect in the name of friendship. They are people whose names are engraved upon my heart for all time.

I am not a poet, an artist, or a writer. I can't give them what others can. It is so little to dedicate a blog to them, yet I know they will understand that these words come from the deepest, most secret part of my heart, where I keep my most precious treasures. As my gift, I would like to dedicate to them one of my favorite songs. You are my treasures, my dearest friends. I will always love you.

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

Words are flying out like endless rain into a paper cup

They slither while they pass

They slip away across the universe

Pools of sorrow waves of joy are drifting thorough my open mind

Possessing and caressing me

Jai guru deva om

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes

That call me on and on across the universe

Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box

they tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe

Jai guru deva om

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing through my open ears

exciting and inviting me

Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns

It calls me on and on across the universe

Jai guru deva om

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Jai guru deva

Jai guru deva

FOR DIANA

Diana,

All the usual phrases seem so trite in the face of such a huge loss. I only hope you will find comfort in knowing you expressed your love for your dad with everything you did and said. You amazed me every day with the strength of your devotion. Your parents must have been incredible role models to have taught you such selflessness. I know the only support I can offer you is prayer. I hope it is some comfort to you.

Hugs, Corinna

LEADER OF THE BAND - Dan Fogelberg

An only child
Alone and wild
A cabinet maker's son
His hands were meant
For different work
And his heart was known
To none --

He left his home
And went his lone
And solitary way
And he gave to me
A gift I know I never
Can repay

A quiet man of music
Denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once
But his music wouldnt wait
He earned his love
Through discipline
A thundering, velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls
Took me years to understand.

The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through
My instrument
And his song is in my soul --
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy
To the leader of the band.

My brothers lives were
Different
For they heard another call
One went to Chicago
And the other to St. Paul
And I'm in Colorado
When I'm not in some hotel
Living out this life I've chose
And come to know so well.

I thank you for the music
And your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom
When it came my time to go --
I thank you for the kindness
And the times when you got tough
And, papa, I don't think
I said I love you near enough --

The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through
My instrument
And his song is in my soul --
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
Im just a living legacy
To the leader of the band
I am the living legacy
To the leader of the band.


MY FATHER'S EYES - Eric Clapton

Sailing down behind the sun,
Waiting for my prince to come.
Praying for the healing rain
To restore my soul again.

Just a toerag on the run.
How did I get here? What have I done?
When will all my hopes arise?
How will I know him?

When I look in my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
When I look in my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.

Then the light begins to shine
And I hear those ancient lullabies.
And as I watch this seedling grow,
Feel my heart start to overflow.

Where do I find the words to say?
How do I teach him? What do we play?
Bit by bit, I've realized
That's when I need them,

That's when I need my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
That's when I need my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.

Then the jagged edge appears
Through the distant clouds of tears.
I'm like a bridge that was washed away;
My foundations were made of clay.

As my soul slides down to die.
How could I lose him? What did I try?
Bit by bit, I've realized
That he was here with me;

I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.
I looked into my father's eyes.
My father's eyes.