Kate's Ink: Dust and Probability

Mom has given me a lot of advice over the course of my life and, to borrow from Mark Twain, the older I get, the smarter my parents were.

One piece of wisdom that has stuck with me: “Remember who you are and whose you are.” I can picture myself during elementary school, climbing out of her car in the morning, reaching in for my lunchbox and being reminded to remember who I am and whose I am. How well that’s served me over the years!

It’s taken me a couple more decades, though, to realize it’s just as important to have someone remind me of all the things I am not — like the sum of my labels, what others expect of me and what I expect of myself. That’s why this song resonates:

From “Joining You,” Alanis Morissette, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, 1998:

You and I, we’re like 4-year-olds:
We want to know why and how come about everything,
We want to reveal ourselves at will and speak our minds
And never talk small and be intuitive
And question mightily and find God, my tortured beacon.
We need to find like-minded companions.

If we were their condemnations,
If we were their projections,
If we were our paranoias I’d be joining you.
If we were our incomes,
If we were our obsessions,
If we were our afflictions I’d be joining you.

Twenty years later, I’m still working out how to remember who I am. Actually, more fundamentally, I’m still working out who I am. Mom’s advice, as it turns out, is easy to comprehend but difficult to master — but that’s OK. Life’s about the journey, not the destination, right?

I heard the HIM cover of Blue Öyster Cult’s “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” last night and was reminded what a great version it is. I’m partial to covers in which the artists have added some spin and really own their version. (New vocals over an almost-exact replica of the original is pretty much karaoke in my book.)

In this case, I love how deliberate the HIM version feels compared to Blue Öyster Cult. It’s one of those (fairly uncommon) covers I enjoy as much — or more — than the original.

From “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” HIM (with Sanna-June Hyde), Greatest Love Songs Vol. 666, 1997 (covering Blue Öyster Cult, Agents of Fortune, 1976):

The door was open and the wind appeared.
The candles blew and then disappeared.
The curtains flew and then he appeared,
Saying, “Don’t be afraid …”

Come on, baby (And we had no fear).
And she ran to him (Then they started to fly).
We looked backward and said goodbye.
We had become like they are (She had taken his hand).
We had become like they are …

Another great cover that comes to mind is Amanda Palmer’s version of “War Pigs.” I was skeptical of the idea of Ozzy Osbourne re-imagined on piano, but she pulls it off — and really well, too.

I’m always on the lookout for interesting (in a good way) covers. Suggestions? I’m all ears.

Scroll down. Hit play. Follow along. (And, if you’re like me, possibly get a lump in your throat.)

From “Brave,” Idina Menzel, I Stand, 2008:

If this is the moment I stand here on my own,
If this is my rite of passage that somehow leads me home,
I might be afraid — but it’s my turn to be brave.
If this is the last chance before we say goodbye,
At least it’s the first day of the rest of my life.
I can’t be afraid ’cause it’s my turn to be brave.

And I might still cry, and I might still bleed,
These thorns in my side, this heart on my sleeve.
And lightening may strike this ground at my feet,
And I might still crash …
But I still believe.

I didn’t realize there’s an official video. And, man, I was really feeling it. No embedding, but you can click here to watch it on YouTube.

Also from her official site:

I came across several Ani DiFranco rips while digging through an old hard drive Saturday. What a time warp. I rarely listen to Ani anymore; she’s one of those artists associated with a time of my life that I left in that time of my life.

Hello and goodbye to college.

When I was at Ani’s website a few minutes ago grabbing these lyrics, I discovered her newest album, Which Side are You On?, came out a week ago today. I’ll probably pick it up for old times’ sake. I mean, I thought I’d grown out of blink, too, but I was way, way off the mark on that one.

This is obviously a pre-Sept. 11 song …

From “The Arrivals Gate,” Ani DiFranco, to the teeth, 1999:

Gonna go out to the arrivals gate at the airport
And sit there all day, watch people reuniting.
Public affection is so exciting, it even makes airports OK.

Watching children run with their arms outstretched
Just to throw those arms around their grandpas’ necks.
Watching lovers plant kisses, old men to their misses,
At the arrivals gate.

Watching a mother with a mother’s smile.
Don’t tell me to move; I just wanna sit here for a while.
I have determined it’s a sure cure for cancer,
Watching excitement turn family dogs into dancers –
At the arrivals gate.

Having been on both ends of the equation — waiting for someone at the airport and having someone waiting for me — I know that great, swelling feeling of seeing a friend step off a plane and running to give her a hug. How sad it’s nearly impossible these days.

I miss that feeling. It seems so old and quaint now.

Pull out your skinny jeans, Vans, black eyeliner and mascara — we’re going emo tonight.

From “Back and to the Left,” Texas is the Reason, Do You Know Who You Are?, 1996:

This town was built on miles of hope,
And I dare you to give one reason to stay,
And maybe I won’t go away.
So far, you only dared me once
And I think we know that’s not even close enough,
Not enough for me to stay.

It costs so much I know.
But I guess I need to know
What it would have felt like to be right.
But I’m getting tired all over again
So hurry up and get here
Because I’m still waiting …
Just like I’ve always been.

Bonus points if your mascara ran down your face while you were crying.

Anyone feel like tacos?

… You know, I’ve posted that flippin’ tacos link so many flippin’ times. You’re on your own.