(SMS) Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet

[Verse 1]
Sunlight coming through the haze
No gaps in the blind to let it inside
The bed is unmade, some music still plays
TV, yeah it’s always on
The flicker of the screen, a movie actress screams
I’m basking in the shit flowing out of it

[Verse 2]
I’m stoned in the mall again
Terminally bored shuffling round the stores
And shoplifting is getting so last year’s thing
X-Box is a god to me
A finger on the switch, my mother is a bitch
My father gave up ever trying to talk to me

[Riff]

[Verse 3]
Don’t try engaging me
The vaguest of shrugs, the prescription drugs
So you’ll never find a person inside
My face is Mogadon*
Curiosity has given up on me
I’m tuning out desires, the pills are on the rise

[Chorus]
How can I be sure I’m here?
The pills that I’ve been taking confuse me
I need to know that someone sees that
There’s nothing left, I simply am not here

[Verse 4]
I’m through with pornography
The acting is lame, the action is tame
Explicitly dull, arousal annulled
Your mouth should be boarded up
Talking all day with nothing to say
Your shallow proclamations all misinformation

[Verse 5]
My friend says he wants to die
He’s in a band — they sound like Pearl Jam
The clothes are all black, the music is crap
In school I don’t concentrate
And sex is kinda fun but just another one
Of all the empty ways of using up a day

[Chorus]
How can I be sure I’m here?
The pills that I’ve been taking confuse me
I need to know that someone sees that
There’s nothing left, I simply am not here

[Bridge]
Bipolar disorder
Can’t deal with the boredom
Bipolar disorder
Can’t deal with the boredom

[Instrumental & Solo]

[Outro]
You don’t try
To be liked
You don’t mind
You feel no sun
You steal a gun
To kill time
You’re somewhere
You’re nowhere
You don’t care
You catch the breeze
You still the leaves
So now where?

*Mogadon is a brand name for the drug Nitrazepam, a hypnotic, which is prescribed for insomnia and other sleep disorders.

Which word would you use to define a person that nothing else brings pleasure? It would probably be apathy. What would be the cause of this apathy? Over stimulation? Overdosing?

You probably think that only adolescents are apathic and don’t want to talk with people, but we adults also live in our own world. You probably are using one of the devices that are the most responsible for apathy. We’re living alone, though circled by people. As says the article “From dispersion to apathy — How technology makes us lonely”: We live in continuous partial attention, we’re never present, therefore we don’t have time for deep thinking.

The song, very acid, brings the story of an adolescent that was over stimulated in many subjects and nothing else pleasures him, and the only thing that stills entertain him is his videogame. This adolescent probably has, besides family issues, bipolar disorder and make usage of medicine to control his neurons and hormones that are in constant shock. Pornography, which is seem as stimuli for this age, doesn’t even has any effect. The time for him is vague. His world is empty.

This narrative is about an adolescent, but many adults live life of excesses and apathy. I know a lot of them! We are forgetting how to connect with people. We are forgetting how to enjoy the simplicity of nature and life. We are living in a sick generation where everything is solved by posting on social medias and/or taking drugs that, quite often, are black labelled. Everything is so short. One day we’re here, the other don’t.

Our attention is loose and we’re giving this to the younger which, since early age, are exposed to this cursed blessing of technology, developing in many of them ADHD. As a teacher, I observe this in many pupils. They prefer to talk about their new mobile games most of the time instead of simply run. Glady the school I teach forbade the usage of mobile phones during recess for elementary students, and put in their disposal toys like rope, hula hoop, ball, among others.

We are in a high level of apathy, living in a so blank planet that professions like “people walker” rise up, which take people that feel lonely and make them company while they walk.

May we fear this blank planet, that wants to force us living in apathy and, as consequence, isolates us. Use your live and technology smartly. Be smart. Dare! Leave! Quit! Live!

About the article, I recommend you to take some time to read. Though an average of 18 minute-reading, each paragraph (and reference) will you re-think some things.

https://link.medium.com/RffdAFovN2

Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/track/551198432
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5JS752i84FtILtqjYxJ9qK
YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9ncFEyXKHs
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9ncFEyXKHs

Blogs:
Construindo Uma Memória
Building A Memory
Medium

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K7 #002 - Metal Bands of My Life

I've been talking to my cousin Ivan recently, someone a little bit peculiar, one of the most excited (and overacted) when the subject is music. Once I thought someone had died by the amount of messages by seconds he had sent. A nice being and with a big heart.

Taking advantage of this excitement of his, I asked a suggestion of theme, and exaggerated as he is, he showed me a playlist with the best metal bands of his life. A playlist with more than 100 hours of songs and, according to him, if he'd put all bands, it'd be a year. The suggestion was exactly making one with the best metal bands of my life. I won't make a 100-hour playlist because the idea of K7 is having 1 hour of songs.

So here are the best metal bands of my life with songs that made difference in me (and are in the streaming platforms).

Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/playlist/7028413424

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7stTdqnFWCJeFzafzYXiOQ

K7 #001 - Memories

"Memory: faculty of retaining ideas, sensations, impressions, previously acquired."

If you ever stopped to read the blog's headline, it is exactly what is written right below the name. Each of us possess our own memories and choose sharing them or not.

I'm from the time of cassette (K7) tape. I have memories of creating playlists for my family's trips. The tapes had about 60 minutes of song, being 30 each side.

Not so distant of this, I intend to make a thematic playlist bimonthly, if I don't face any setback, that will be announced on the blog, Facebook and Instagram's page, and also on the Telegram's channel. I'll be even asking some suggestions on songs and/or themes Instagram's stories.

And since the K7 tape nostalgia and memory were mentioned, nothing like the first theme be songs that talk about MEMORIES.

Playlist:

• Spotify
• Deezer

Blogs:
Construindo Uma Memória
Building A Memory
Medium

Pages:
Facebook
Instagram
Telegram

(SMS) Imagine Dragons - Believer

[Verse 1]

First things first

I'ma say all the words inside my head

I'm fired up and tired of the way that things have been, oh-ooh

The way that things have been, oh-ooh

Second thing second

Don't you tell me what you think that I could be

I'm the one at the sail, I'm the master of my sea, oh-ooh

The master of my sea, oh-ooh

[Pre-Chorus]

I was broken from a young age

Taking my sulkin' to the masses

Writing my poems for the few

That look at me, took to me, shook at me, feelin' me

Singing from heartache from the pain

Taking my message from the veins

Speaking my lesson from the brain

Seeing the beauty through the...

[Chorus]

Pain! You made me a, you made me a believer, believer

Pain! You break me down and build me up, believer, believer

Pain! Oh, let the bullets fly, oh, let them rain

My life, my love, my drive, it came from...

Pain! You made me a, you made me a believer, believer

[Verse 2]

Third things third

Send a prayer to the ones up above

All the hate that you've heard has turned your spirit to a dove, oh-ooh

Your spirit up above, oh-ooh

[Pre-Chorus]

I was chokin' in the crowd

Building my rain up in the cloud

Falling like ashes to the ground

Hoping my feelings, they would drown

But they never did, ever lived, ebbin' and flowin'

Inhibited, limited 'til it broke open and rained down

It rained down, like...

[Chorus]

Pain! You made me a, you made me a believer, believer

Pain! You break me down and build me up, believer, believer

Pain! Oh, let the bullets fly, oh, let them rain

My life, my love, my drive, it came from...

Pain! You made me a, you made me a believer, believer

[Bridge]

Last things last

By the grace of the fire and the flames

You're the face of the future, the blood in my veins, oh-ooh

The blood in my veins, oh-ooh

But they never did, ever lived, ebbin' and flowin'

Inhibited, limited 'til it broke open and rained down

It rained down, like...

[Chorus]

Pain! You made me a, you made me a believer, believer

Pain! You break me down and build me up, believer, believer

Pain! Oh, let the bullets fly, oh, let them rain

My life, my love, my drive, it came from...

Pain! You made me a, you made me a believer, believer

This end of the year at the school I teach we had a musical activity to conclude the school year, named Bate-Lata (which can be translated to something like “Hitting the Can”). It was the eighth edition, but my first as a participant. The musicality teacher asked me to play the guitar and help the children with English songs. One of the songs they were having some trouble was this, Believer, mainly because of the pre-chorus. I’ve learnt the whole song, sung with them, and because of learning, the lyrics caught my attention.

Our 2019 wasn’t a very easy year. Many deaths were shown by social media, the high stunning of prices, psychosomatic diseases showing up even more. Living is getting harder.

It is not a new subject I bring to Building a Memory (the Portuguese version of Construindo Uma Memória), though some changes in the format since 2011. I was shaped by the fire. I’ve been through many difficulties in my life that changed me with the passing of time, but I also haven’t forgotten my personal references,  like family, friends and teachers. I also resorted a lot, and mainly, to God, who always talked to me in a different way. I listen to His voice by reading and, mainly, through music (one of the reasons why I write about it).

One Brazilian popular saying is “God helps those who wake up in the early morning”. God can help you for sure, but we have to make our part. It is time to transform our pain into strength. The tears into water watering the soil of our dreams and achievements. But don’t let being consumed. Don’t let on seeking help. And if necessary, search a psychologist.

Be someone who believes not only in yourself but also in the future generation, because they’ll look to us as reference.

Deezer: http://www.deezer.com/track/528330441
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0pqnGHJpmpxLKifKRmU6WP?si=2hAFIZe9R3-i9DTlErDzqQ
YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx7B-XvmFtE&feature=share
YouTube: https://youtu.be/IhP3J0j9JmY

(SMS) P.O.D. - Alive

Originally posted on November 8, 2017.

'hope' Woman Portrait is a painting by Svetlana Novikova which was uploaded on May 7th, 2011.

Everyday is a new day

I'm thankful for every breath I take

I won't take it for granted

So I learn from my mistakes

It's beyond my control, sometimes it's best to let go

Whatever happens in this lifetime

So I trust in love

You have given me peace of mind

Payable on Death, or simple P.O.D.... A band that was part of my childhood and youth. That mix between metal with a little bit of rap, what was a trend during the end of 90s and beginning of 00s, known as Nu/New Metal, where bands like Linkin Park, KoRn, and Limp Bizkit characterised the genre. P.O.D. is a band that always knew who to reinvent with the passing of the years without losing its characteristics (there's a new album coming out there ♥).

There's nothing like being alive. Nothing like being able to breath (even sometimes having stuffy nose 😝)!!! Every day we have a gift: life. According to a biological definition of this gift of ours is: "the sequence of physical and mental experiences that constitute the existence of a being."

We exist, live, experience, mess up, cry, rejoice, celebrate… Many emotions and perceptions that is kind of complicated putting everything to words. They are never the same reactions even though they've been through the same situations. What we are up to do is to face what is coming towards us. Accepting what is given us as challenge and trying to win. It is believing that is possible to not give up. It is know that there are people who love us and bring us peace of mind. It is understanding that God takes care of us even if we are disobedient and, because of that, suffer the consequences, like what happens to a child when he/she disobeys its parents.

And as the chorus of the song says: "I feel so alive for the very first time", and may each day be a new day, like the very first time, idead that is also very clear in the original videoclip.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhjo3rkjyjw

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1X4Ntw6Lbaa1ACgilCqMpr

Deezer: http://www.deezer.com/track/4087046

(SMS) Iron Maiden - Tears of a Clown

Originally posted on October 19, 2017

Tomorrow comes, tomorrow goes

But the cloud remains the same

Wonder why he’s feeling down

Tears of a clown

Maybe it’s all just for the best

Lay his weary head to rest

Was forever feeling drowned

Tears of a clown

Who motivates the motivator?

Facade it has to go

He knows, it sooner or later

Smile for cameras, all okay

But tomorrow is another day, he must get through

 At the same this song is beautiful, it is sad. Both Bruce Dickinson and Steve Harris admitted it was inspired in Robin Williams, a clown that brought many laughs in our lives during the 90s and 00s and, unfortunately, committed suicide because a deep depression crisis.

I'm not much connected with people's death that are not in my daily basis living, though I grief for a life that was lost and could have done much more, and this was one I got really upset. Probably because he brought joy to my life with many awesome characters!!!

It's funny how sadness hits even the motivators. We saw something similar this year with Chester, Linkin Park's former singer, who sang about how to overcome your demons, and he's gone with one of them.

Don't ever hesitate into opening your heart to people surrounding you. Take your masks out. Be your true you. And, if you're one who is always motivating, seek someone to be your confidante!! You are also human, and you need help as well. And, if you've got a friend that is always motivating, take care of him or her. Sometimes sadness hits it and, for being a person with motivational messages, he/she is afraid of opening the heart.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/vMd3j8xbIjk

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1UuWgZ0TXOAKCa7bXD0zW8?si=WMtsuCiG

Deezer: http://www.deezer.com/track/106462964

(SMS) Alter Bridge - Blackbird

[Verse 1]
The willow it weeps today
A breeze from the distance is calling your name
Unfurl your black wings and wait
Across the horizon it's coming to sweep you away
It's coming to sweep you away

[Chorus]
Let the wind carry you home
Blackbird, fly away
May you never be broken again

[Verse 2]
The fragile cannot endure
The wrecked and the jaded, a place so impure
The static of this cruel world
Cause some birds to fly long before they've seen their day
Long before they've seen their day

[Chorus]
Let the wind carry you home
Blackbird, fly away
May you never be broken again
Beyond the suffering you've known
I hope you find your way
May you never be broken again

[Bridge]
Ascend may you find no resistance
Know that you made such a difference
All you leave behind will live to the end
The cycle of suffering goes on
But memories of you stay strong
Someday I too will fly and find you again

[Guitar Solo]

[Chorus]
Let the wind carry you home
Blackbird fly away
May you never be broken again
Beyond the suffering you've known
I hope you find your way
May you never be broken again
May you never be broken again

I must confess that I had some prejudice on Alter Bridge because I’m not into Myles Kennedy voice. For musical knowledge I’ve started listening one of the albums I most heard about, which is the same as this song’s… how fool I was. I’ve lost some precious music out there, and while listening the whole album, when the chorus of this one started, they had all my attention.

There’s a rumour this song is about a Myles Kennedy’s friend that died during the album writing process, and it’s kind of a homage to him. I’m pretty sure they had some good time together, otherwise this song wouldn’t have come out.

Well… we all, sometime in our lives, lost someone we dearly loved. Someone that we wished just some more seconds with him or her just to say “I love you”. We may even think that they didn’t live or enjoyed life to its full. Indeed, we live in a cruel world that take the ones that apparently did not deserve to die. They probably had a fast and non-painful death, or they suffered more than we could imagine. One thing in all of this is certain: they don’t suffer anymore. There is no more pain.

I’ve finished recently to read the book “The Dreamseller: The Calling” by Augusto Cury, and in the first half of the book, the main character goes to a funeral and speaks about death. We mourn and weep,  but we don’t keep his or her memories alive. We should keep them alive in our hearts, remembering all good things they had done while alive. The body may be dead, but the spirit lives on and should inspire us to keep on living.

We will surely die someday. How do you want to be remembered? Death is not the last step. There is eternal life. Which side are you going to: heaven or hell? If you want to go to heaven, remember that not only good deeds lead you there. You must accept Jesus as your only saviour, as said in the book of Ephesians 2.8-9:

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

Unfortunately, not believing in Jesus' death and resurrection, though you do good things, won’t save you, as many believe.

Probably you don’t believe this and think it’s gibberish. If I’m the wrong one, at least I lived my life to its full, but if you’re the wrong? Take some time and think about it.

Also, remember to not only say “I love you” but also show in your actions. “May the wind carry you home”.

Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/track/7256541
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2o4AknH1hXnleCRW2rH45w
YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=ISBIht69fkE
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISBIht69fkE