Postcards from the Funny Farm

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Music is a powerful medium on our psyche.  Specifically, pop music is It is a space of 3 minutes (average). It is amazing and I don’t know why scientifically. It might be due to the fact that people allow their minds to open to ideas in a song while they might not through normal conversation. It can be like a whole movie message in the space of three minutes. Just like walking around on a lazy Saturdy in your Dansko shoes, so the right music can utterly relax and inspire you. I have had many favorites through the years, most of which you can find on my last.fm account. My name there is rileycentral. I have been changed in the space of three minutes. Music has been and will continue to be my primary source of inspiration. Make sure you turn on your radio if you are not regularly. You might be absolutely amazed at what can happen in your head and heart in the space of 3 minutes.

Folks, I have been to the mountain and it is ColdPlay’s new single … Maybe it will be like cotton candy and I’ll be sick of it soon but it is on infinite repeat for now in my Windows Media Player. Give it a listen/read and see if I lie. So, if you are wondering how it relates to psychology and inspiration? Music can bring out psychology and memory we’ve forgotten for years, as well as new inspiration. Music has everything to do with the senses and memory and love and well therapy … but who really cares about “niches” when you’re in love with a new song?  Your thoughts? Interpretations?  As for me, I have been owned. Coldplay must have been riding horses or something on those english saddles to get inspired and create such a work of art.

Streaming Link: Viva la Vida

Verse 1:
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies’ eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
“Now the old king is dead, long live the king!”
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castle stands
Upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a’ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can’t explain
Once you’d gone it was never,
never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn’t believe what I’d become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh…who would ever wanna be king

I hear Jerusalem bells were ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs were singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can’t explain
I know St. Peter won’t call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

Bridge:
Whoaaa (x4)

Bridge and Chorus mix:
(Whoa…) Here Jerusalem bells were ringing
(Whoa…) Roman Cavalry choirs were singing
(Whoa…) Be my mirror, my sword and shield
(Whoa…) My missionaries in a foreign field
(Whoa…) For some reason I can’t explain
(Whoa…) I know St. Peter won’t call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

Oooh Ooooh Oooh Ooooh… (until fade)

“What a trip” Las Vegas can be.
My 10 year old son Brandon and I are seen here sharing a couple cool ones (cokes that is) at “The World of Coke” museum in Las Vegas right in the heart of the strip. This is just one place we went on our vacation last week that were “family friendly” places. Las Vegas is a great place for adults: you can drink for free, gamble your nest egg (should you choose!), see great shows, dance, etc. But Las Vegas also offers plenty for kids as well. Our goal was to get into a mental place I call “vacation psychology.” I hope my kids made it there. From the looks of things, they did. I also had at least one event that got me in that zone. SCORE!

This Las Vegas slogan of recent years is kind of funny: “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” What do you think that means? I have my ideas. At first it sounds sardonic, mischievous, but I try to keep an open mind and accept everything until proven wrong.

There is a psychology in vacationing that is a “wow” so-to-speak. It takes you away from the daily grind and see something truly marvelous. Now does that have to be secretive? Not in my case. We went to a children’s museum that was ok, buffets that were tasty, and walked the strip to pick up tasty snacks here and there and all that was great. My kids did the “Build-a-Bear Workshop” and we ended up spending a hundred bucks on that. I know that sounds steep, but you should have seen their faces. All people, small or large, need to take care of their brain through vacation psychology.

Vacation psychology for me happened during a Cirque de Soleil type show. The announcer said that a recent “Miss Wyoming” was about to do an interpretation of that new song “Too Late to Apologize,” which I kind of liked already. She came out and did a ballet type routine suspended from two large red ribbons. It was the most amazing set of “human tricks” I have seen in a long long time. The song was moving and the amazing dexterity of this young acrobat was truly inspirational. Whether vacation psychology is better when it’s secretive, I will never know. In my case, I am glad that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. Sometimes it makes it to a blog and other people get to experience it too. (The YouTube video of “Too Late to Apologize” is linked at my online diary.)

As you may have read, I have revived and re-launched my online diary, Damien at the Speed of Life. Tonight after seeing Mamma Mia with Sarah I was driven to write a review. I have been a huge ABBA fan since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. The acting and music in Mamma Mia is great and you just plain feel good the whole time. You’ll start to see less reviews here as I will be trying to be true to the psychology niche here as time marches on. I hope you get a chance to see Mamma Mia, Sarah is definitely going to buy the DVD when it comes out. (She’s seen it 3 times so far) You can read my review and see a cool YouTube video at this link: Damien’s Mama Mia Review. Thanks for reading. Tip: Get more use out of your home exercise equipment, play the Mamma Mia soundtrack repeatedly.

1. Other fears pale in comparison: For example, if you are having trouble with your boss, he’s nothing compared to facing the loop-de-loop!
2. You escape life (if temporarily) and bring back stories.
3. You feel accomplished and can blog better.
4. You relax beside something much bigger than yourself: Remember Leeann Womack’s song, I Hope You Dance: “I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean(Riddler’s revenge?).”

5. You see views that take your breath away (Then you drop 20 stories on Superman).

6. Your heart gets pumpin.’

7. You become less important and more creative.

8. Prove you’re no baby you can put away the crib bedding. Father and son thing.

9. You become a spaceman breaking speed records.

10. High altitudes, increased endorphines (alertness, well-being, happiness …)