You Are A Tourist

Recently coming back from Austin, a city that was so near and dear to my heart for so many years, I left with a pretty empty feeling, and was reminded of Death Cab for Cutie's song below.

I have fought with the idea that I left too soon, and not early enough to both prolong and prevent certain  aspects of my life that Austin both fed and fed off of.

Cities are strange, and I have so many strange affinities for many of them around the world. Some I want to embrace, others I am intrigued by, but only superficially, and some I am down right intimidated and in awe of.

With Austin, it feels so provincial, and that can be comforting, but also disconcerting. Going to the same coffee house and seeing the EXACT same people as from 20 years ago is great, but also creepy.

I leave Austin each time with less nostalgia and more analgesia. You just don't move me any more, baby. I love you, but, our time has passed.

So, I guess, now, I am, sadly enough, when returning to Austin, a Tourist...sadly.

Tattooed on my Mind

Amongst many things, I am rather particular, much to the initial amusesment of people, which usually dissipates to tolerance, then followed by annoyance of my particularities. As such, I don't have many friends, and, well, I probably wouldn't be so keen on myself either. But, I am stuck with myself.

One of my things that I am rather particular about is covers. There is nothing like a good cover, but a bad one, well, I have no mercy. Furthermore, not just a cover, but an acoustic rendition of a song can be beyone painful. Coming from one who has no musical ability whatsoever, but pure appreciation for everyone who does, I do give credit where credit is due.

Hands down, without a shadow of a doubt, the BEST cover I have EVER heard was on piazza San Stefano, in Bologna, by a guitar-slinging guy who belted out "Black" by Pearl Jam.

I have seldom been in awe of acoustic singing, outside of Sinead O'Connor, and a very small number of others, but this kid nailed it.

Why am I thinking of "Black"? Well, been discussing tattoos of late and it did cross my mind, as well as a discussion about covers and the further merits of Eddie Vedder versus Cobain, etc. Well, ol' Eddie V. is tops for me amongst the Grunge crowd, so I guess the combination of the memory and the tribute came together, hand over hand.