"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them." -

[reyd reid reed]

Henry David Thoreau.

I'll be damned. I don't know what my song will be yet, but I'm sure as hell gonna sing it before I die.

What about you? Do you buy this?

[lizziegrace]

1. I certainly do

it's sad, but I believe it's very true.

[reyd reid reed]

2. I dunno...

I think that a lot of us just aren't aware we're singing. Every one of us makes a difference in someone's life...no matter how minimally, we have an impact on every single person that we meet.

Now, a Grand Aria or something (if there is such a thing -- it sounds good, though :P )...I dunno. Maybe we don't all sing it before we're done, but I sure as hell intend to try.







How ya doin' tonight?

:hug::hug::loveya::hug::hug:

[lizziegrace]

7. I'm okay

My friend Lisa (who's also an accounting client) came over to give me the changes for a fundraising brochure. (I'm now a graphic designer...) She brought over a pan of brownies to celebrate my new job, but almost killed me because she put walnuts in them. ;) Now, the printer won't acknowledge the new color cartridge and I've got to get these brochures printed. Looks like I'll be heading out to a super WalMart tonight. I know, I know, but it's 11:00 and Staples is closed.

It's the equilibrium in the universe thing, you know??

Sigh...

[reyd reid reed]

15. You're doing her brochures again?

This time it's less stressful, I hope? Except for the printer thing...

x(

You can't reset the computer to recognize the cartridge? Turning it off and on doesn't help? I had a printer like that. I had to do handstands to print anything. God, I hated that thing.

Hang in there, sweetie. Your new job's gonna start and all's gonna be well with the world.

Just think...BENEFITS!!!! Just think -- INSURANCE!!!!

:woohoo:

:hug:

[lizziegrace]

43. The brand new cartridge I had is bad

the one I just bought works fine. x(

[reyd reid reed]

45. GAH!!!

Were you able to do a flat exchange?

[lizziegrace]

51. Well

no

The bad cartridge was bought at Staples in a multipack. I don't have any idea where the receipt is. The replacement was bought at WalMart because Staples isn't open at midnight when I've got to get the printing done before dawn.

:boring:

I tell ya, equilibrium. ;)

[reyd reid reed]

55. So take it back to Staples.

You're looking for a replacement on a defective cartridge, not a refund. Shouldn't be a problem, with or without a receipt.

At least, I wouldn't think so. And if they argue, send 'em to me...I've been messin' with pairings all night and then my scoreboard kept blowing up on me...I'm spittin' nails right about now.

[Generic Brad]

3. Not for this guy

I unabashedly sing loud, with gusto, and off key. I have followed my muse and have no regrets other than it took me too many years to wise up and do it. Now I'm making up for lost time.

[reyd reid reed]

4. YAY!!!

No regrets except for the delay?

I'm impressed.

:hi:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

5. Yep.

[reyd reid reed]

17. You buy it or

you're gonna sing?

I hope you're gonna sing...it's awfully quiet in here.

[Burma Jones]

6. The Sixties helped............I think people repress less.....

As to my song, well, all I can say is that is lacks a definitive genre and is about as organized as a Grateful Dead Jam.....

You know, sometimes quiet desperation is appropriate.....

[reyd reid reed]

21. Nah...desperation is never appropriate...quiet or otherwise.

It's your song...so however you sing it, it's in the right key.

:hi:

[Drum]

8. Very very glad that I first heard this quote when I was younger...

it helped to change everything since!

:thumbsup:

[reyd reid reed]

22. I've heard it before...

but never really Heard it, y'know? I ran across it today and it slapped me upside the head.

Better late than never, I s'pose.

:hi:

[Drum]

24. Abso-Thoreau-lutely!

I like those New England transcendentalists. Thoreau, and very much Emerson....

:D

edit to add: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendentalism

[Nicole]

9. Not only am I singing my song, I plan to do an encore!

Go me!!!!!!!!!

:rofl:

[SPKrazy]

11. That I Believe To Be True

about you...

I do think you are singing your song...

:thumbsup:


:hug:

[Nicole]

14. It absolutely is.

:hug:

[SPKrazy]

18. Some Okies Are

still pretty cool - even though the state has really gone downhill since I left... :rofl:

[Nicole]

25. .........

Whatever!!!!!!!!!!! :P

:rofl:

[SPKrazy]

26. Well You KNow It Has

:P

:shrug:

it's the law of SPK

[reyd reid reed]

23. YAY!!!!

:yourock:

[Nicole]

27. Thanks!

:yourock: too!


:hi:

[SPKrazy]

10. We Live Too Much In Fear I Believe Reidie Sweetie

for the most part anyway

how many things do most people do or rather not do, because of fear.

I want to find my song and sing it before I die too RRR.

It may be that the whole purpose of life is to work to find one's song. Some find it, most don't. Those that do are probably not just lucky, but people who have found a way to live life with zest and to face all of their fears.

:hi:

[reyd reid reed]

28. Facing your fears is one thing...

Conquering them is another. I don't know that I've been afraid as much as I've been unsure. A few years ago, I figured out what I want my song to be...now I've just gotta conquer the fear and sing it. We will. You'll see.

:hi:

:hug:

[SPKrazy]

33. I Think So...

I don't know when
I don't yet know how

I don't yet know for sure what the song is

but it is starting to take form

:hug:

[wildhorses]

12. quiet desperation is the english way

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an off hand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way

Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun

And you run and you run to catch up with the sun, but its sinking
And racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in the relative way, but youre older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death

Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time
Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the english way
The time is gone, the song is over, thought Id something more to say

Home, home again
I like to be here when I can
And when I come home cold and tired
Its good to warm my bones beside the fire
Far away across the field
The tolling of the iron bell
Calls the faithful to their knees
To hear the softly spoken magic spells.

[SPKrazy]

19. By the way...

which one's Pink?

:thumbsup:

[wildhorses]

20. the other one..d'uh

yeah, i know ...i suck

[SPKrazy]

29. What?

no, that's a line from another song

Have A Cigar"

Come in here, dear boy, have a cigar.
You're gonna go far, fly high,
You're never gonna die, you're gonna make it if you try;they're gonna love you.
Well I've always had a deep respect, and I mean that most sincerely.
The band is just fantastic, that is really what I think.
Oh by the way, which one's Pink?
And did we tell you the name of the game, boy
we call it Riding the Gravy Train.
We're just knocked out.
We heard about the sell out.
You gotta get an album out,
You owe it to the people. We're so happy we can hardly count.
Everybody else is just green, have you seen the chart?
It's a helluva start, it could be made into a monster
if we all pull together as a team.
And did we tell you the name of the game, boy
we call it Riding the Gravy Train.


You don't suck! (well I don't personally know that, but as a person you don't "suck", never mind... ;) )

[wildhorses]

34. oh yeah--trust me

i fuckin' suck so bad

there was never any doubt

[SPKrazy]

37. Do I Have To

kick your butt WH?

:spank:

:hug:

you don't fuckin' suck so bad!

:mad:

[wildhorses]

41. not so bad

it is true

but sucketh much

i still do

[SPKrazy]

79. Not More Than ME!

I'll wager you there!

[reyd reid reed]

30. I don't want to be the one

to find out that every year is getting shorter (they are) and that there's no time (there never is).

Dammit, I'm gonna make the most of 'em and FIND the time.

I've got to...there's no one else to do it for me.

:hi:

[wildhorses]

42. run...rabbbit,,,run

and you run and you run
to catch up with the sun
but its sinking

shorter of breath

[Boogie]

13. Hanging on in quiet desperation is the english way

The time is gone, the song is over, thought Id something more to say

[reyd reid reed]

31. I want to...no...I'm GOING to say it

before time is gone and the song is over.

[Boogie]

38. Please tell me you picked this up from my other thread.

I made a similar quote in another thread. Too weird if you didn't.

[reyd reid reed]

54. YIKES!!!

Nope...I didn't. I read it on mlb.com and it resonated tonight for some reason.

Great minds and all that, maybe?

[Boogie]

78. That is too weird.

Here is my post about it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=6250390&mesg_id=6251005

[reyd reid reed]

90. I think it's kinda cool.

Nifty, if you will.

:hi:

:D

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. I think a lot of people live this way.........

But, inside certain boundaries that I have set myself, I do not!

I have a number of songs inside me, and I am busy singing them...

They are: My photos, my writing (such as it is) and my love.......

18 months ago, I could have kicked over the traces of my life, but I chose not to.......

It was a hard choice, but I believe it was the correct one.

But I still have songs to sing, damn it!

And as far as I am able, I will continue to sing them until my body dies...

This is an excellent thread, my dear reyd reid reed..........An excellent question......

:hug:

[reyd reid reed]

32. Sing away

we all make choices...or choices are made for us. Trick is to make the best of them.

:hug:

[zingaro]

35. Wow. That's just too weird.

If I said that I was pondering this VERY same quote earlier today, would that sound too weird?

I hope not because I was.

:hi:

I, however, do think that the vast majority of people do go to the grave with their song unsung. Our culture and pace leaves little time for introspection and self-awareness. It's a shame, really.

But there are some singers among us. Some of us are just humming along, not quite down with the words yet, but there's always hope, right? And sure, there are some tone-deaf folks out there who don't even want to try to sing.

Quiet desperation. Yep. I get that.

And I still think it's weird. :D

[SPKrazy]

39. It's All About Energy Fields

I was reading and I'll have to research this, but there was reportedly a difference in measurements of some kinds of radioactive decay after 9/11. There have been some other catastrophes that affected a worldwide change in the decay of some radioactive materials. The theory is apparently that thought is influencing the rates of decay in subatomic particles in some way.

:shrug:

you're the heady genius, and you are my 12%'er friend too!

;)

[zingaro]

40. Wow - really?

I know there's a lot of magnetic shifting and other crap going on but - really?

Your cranial capacity is impressive.

:hug:

Off to Google!

[SPKrazy]

44. I Read It In Discover

it has to be true, right?

:shrug:

[zingaro]

46. No no - that "has to be true" thing only happens

if you heard it on Fox.

:rofl:

:hi:

[SPKrazy]

50. It Is At Least Interesting

I've also seen an experiment where different thought patterns created different ice crystal patterns.

It was a Japanese experiment. I'm pretty sure I've got a CD at work with some info on it if I can remember to find it I will get some info off it.

There was also a book I've seen about it but I have CRS and can't remember shit

:hug:

Zingy :woohoo:

[pitohui]

49. no, it's not even remotely true

christ, physics 101

he's pulling your leg

i don't particularly go in for the kind of humor where people make fun of other people so that's why i'm speaking up

i'll go away now

[SPKrazy]

83. Only I Wasn't Pulling anyone's

damned leg

:shrug:

bye

[reyd reid reed]

57. Nah...it's just 'great minds'.

:P

I think it's sad, how many people think that they're 'too busy'. It's a shame that more people don't find the time -- and I'll admit, I've been as guilty as the next person.

No more.

I might not be able to carry a tune in a bucket, but I'm singin', dammit!!!

:hi:

[idgiehkt]

36. I think a lot of us never find a way to translate our song on this planet

It doesn't mean the song dies when we do. I think when we die the song transforms back into it's original form and is freed to go back out into the universe. Or maybe our soul is our song in it's purest form. Of course we fail here...I kind of think that is what this place is for...it's like a purgatory or something. I don't think it is a very good or positive place, even though it can be very visually appealing in many geographical locations. That is just sensory input though.

[reyd reid reed]

58. But we don't *have* to fail here.

Every single one of us makes a difference -- good or bad, we make a difference. With every smile, every decision, every comment, we make a difference somewhere to someone.

[idgiehkt]

59. true

I thought you were talking about the performing arts specifically. I can't sing, so the jig is up for me in that regard. :hi:

[reyd reid reed]

63. Nah...

I'm being deep and philosophical and metaphorical tonight.

Tomorrow (hell, in five minutes -- wait'll you see what I'm fixin' to post) I'll revert to form.

:P

:hi:

[Shine]

47. First of all I'm not a man. Second of all, I sing in a choir.

:D I sing all the time.

I don't personally buy into the idea of living a life of "quiet desperation" with an unfulfilled life.

I strive to live life as fully and as consciously as I can....singing loudly along the way, even if I don't know the words, I can sing the melody.

We make it up as we go along, anyway. :D

[reyd reid reed]

60. That's the best way, I think.

I've spent too long worrying about following the rules and toeing the line.

:hi:

[gemdem]

48. It's not a matter of being able to sing the song

It's a matter of finding one's voice. I'm singing, but have yet to find a voice to match the song. Once I can find the voice, the song will be heard. Until that time, mine is just another voice trying to rise above the din.

[reyd reid reed]

61. I've found my voice...

I think...I'm still trying to get the song out, though.

We'll make it. We will.

[Oeditpus Rex]

52. All right, stop that! STOP THAT!

You're not going to do a song while I'm 'ere!

[reyd reid reed]

62. Watch me.

:evilgrin:

:rofl::rofl:

[Oeditpus Rex]

66. I am

You thought that was a light fixture?

:evilgrin:

[reyd reid reed]

67. You are, huh?

What am I doing, then?

[Oeditpus Rex]

71. Don't you know?

:shrug:

[reyd reid reed]

72. This is a test.

This is only a test. Please do not adjust your set...

:P


Hell, how often do I truly know what I'm doing?

Well...more often than that. It has been known to happen, in between fits of embarrassing and shameful lapses of judgement.

[Oeditpus Rex]

74. Well, if *you* don't know

I'm certainly not going to tell you.









Damn, that felt good.

[reyd reid reed]

75. C'mere, darlin'....

:spank::spank::spank:

('cause I'm too lazy to go looking for my hammer smilies).

I *could've* asked you what I was wearin'.

And if it made me look fat.






don't get too comfortable, darlin' :evilgrin:

[Oeditpus Rex]

76. I never get too comfortable

Even when I'm chillin', I'm ready to roll.

[reyd reid reed]

77. Oh, now that's

skeery.

:scared:

[qnr]

106. Tellin' the truth can be dangerous business... Honest and popular don't go hand-in-hand

If you admit that you play the accordian...


Ok, I'll stop

[u4ic]

53. .

I've Got a Name - Jim Croce


Like the pine trees lining the winding road
I've got a name
I've got a name
like the singing bird and the croaking toad
I've got a name
I've got a name

And I carry it with me like my daddy did
but I'm living the dream that he kept hid

Moving me down the highway
rolling me down the highway
moving ahead so life won't pass me by

Like the North wind whistling down the sky
I've got a song
I've got a song
like the whip-poor-will and the babies crying
I've got a song
I've got a song

And I carry it with me and I sing it proud
if it gets me nowhere, I'll go there proud

Moving me down the highway
rolling me down the highway
moving ahead so life won't pass me by

And I'm gonna go there free

Like the fool I am and I'll always be
I've got a dream
I've got a dream
They can change their minds but they can't change me
I've got a dream
I've got a dream

I know I could share it if you want me to
if your going my way I'll go with you

Moving me down the highway
rolling me down the highway
moving ahead so life won't pass me by

[reyd reid reed]

65. Oh, I like that song...

never really thought of it in context with this, but it fits.

:hug::loveya::hug:

[GalleryGod]

89. Jim recorded that,in studio, days before his death.

He insisted on "bumping up the schedule" to finish it before leaving Philly.

Cashman & West always tell this story.O8)

[Elidor]

56. Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way

The time has gone, the song is over
Thought I'd something more to say

-Waters/Gilmour, Time

At last I understand that verse perfectly! Thank you.

[reyd reid reed]

64. ...

:hi:

[amitten]

68. I've been singing my ass off all my life.

Still am...and always will be.

[reyd reid reed]

69. ....

:thumbsup:

:yourock:

:hi:

[NoodleBoy]

70. wait, I think I do!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x6252060

[reyd reid reed]

73. There ya go!!

:hi:

:D

[Taverner]

80. I don't believe that for a second

You do what you do - stimulus, response. If you get caught up in a cycle of self-abuse, you find positive stimulus within that cycle.

IN short, shit just happens, and there's nothing we can really do about it. Except try not to step in it.

[reyd reid reed]

91. I think that,

to a degree, we CAN do something about at least some of the shit, some of the time. Just not all of the shit, all of the time.

Which is better than none of the shit, ever.

[Taverner]

99. True true

Basically if we see it, we can choose not to step in it

Not that that level of awareness has prevented any shoes from getting messed up

[Orsino]

81. As long as it doesn't turn out to be REO Speedwagon. n/t

[reyd reid reed]

92. I promise...

what about Neil Diamond?







:hide:

[Orsino]

103. I will admit to a sneaking admiration for his work...

...but I rarely choose to listen to him.

I'll know the song when I encounter it, though. It will sound a bit like the Who, and a bit like Earth, Wind & Fire. Marvin and Tammi will probably be singing it.

[reyd reid reed]

104. You'll be singing it.

The Who can write the lyrics and EWF can do the instrumentals, how 'bout that?

You get to sing it, though.

[Orsino]

107. Uh-oh.

That song's gonna be kinda bad. And not in the good way.

[Guava Jelly]

82. Everybody is always looking for something

And many times they miss the something that is right in front of them.

[reyd reid reed]

93. Too often.

WAY too often.

[hfojvt]

84. my song is 'Lonesome Loser'

I have been singing it for decades.

I kinda wish people would be quieter. It seems like most people want some sort of power and fame, and to feel justified in looking down on other people. Thoreau there seems like he is disrespecting the common life. Not everybody is a trust fund baby who can make their living writing essays.

[reyd reid reed]

94. I think

that what he was saying was that we should all raise our heads and make whatever mark we can on the world. And I think that more of us do that than we realize. Fame and fortune and the 'big splash' aren't everything. Sometimes if you smile at someone who's having a shitty day, then that carries over and their day is a little less shitty and they might, in turn, pass it to someone else and, before you know it, that simple smile has made a difference.

[billyskank]

85. Quiet desperation about sums it up

Okay, maybe not so quiet. ;)

[reyd reid reed]

95. Awwwwww....

Sing it, bay-beeeee!!!

:loveya:

[Madspirit]

86. Sadly, I agree with Thoreau n/t

[reyd reid reed]

96. It doesn't have to be that way, though.

:shrug:

[LanternWaste]

87. I sing my song every day

What Thoreau interprets as desperation, is simply contement with the small things in life to many other people. So... I guess I disagree with him.

That being said, I do sing my song every day, though whether anyone hears it or listens to it becomes less important as I grow older.

You're singing your song too, Reyd-- we all are. One quiet evening, turn the lights down and the stereo off. Open the wndow and let a breeze dance trhough the room. Be very still and close your eyes (OMG! This is tsartig to sound like a seduction attempt...). You'll hear it.


Crap! That sounded pretentious, but it wasn't intended as such.

[reyd reid reed]

97. Didn't sound pretentious at all...

sounded thoughtful.

Over the past few years, my inclination has been to keep my head down and just keep slogging through. One foot in front of the other and don't hit any walls.

I think it's time to lift my head and look around.

And do something. Maybe not something big or grand or whatever -- something little. Something that'll make me feel good. Something that'll make me feel like I'm contributing, even if it's just a little. A gesture.

Something.

:hi:

[Road Scholar]

88. I wrote the song and I wrote the music and I sing it every day.

You would not believe my life. I came from a dysfunctional family with domestic violence and made a promise a very long time ago as a young boy to my wife before I ever met her and to my children before they were ever concieved. I kept my promise and have been rewarded at least a thousand times.I am trying to write it down for when I am gone. I will call it "Miles To Go Before I Sleep."

[reyd reid reed]

98. Good for you.

Keep writing and keep singing!!

:hug::hug::hug:

[Javaman]

100. Help me!! I can't get Funkie Town out of my head!!!

ahhhhhhh!!!!!

[reyd reid reed]

101. Gee, thanks.

Now I've got an earworm, too.

:eyes:

[Javaman]

102. My work here is done. LOL nt

[reyd reid reed]

105. I'll have you know...

all. fuckin'. day. long.

x(

[Blue_Tires]

108. words to chew on

i guess i gotta find the song first before i think about singing it

[reyd reid reed]

110. Just try

humming a few bars every morning...before you know it, you'll be belting one out.

:hi:

[datasuspect]

109. i'll be singing dancing queen

[reyd reid reed]

111. Are you out to get me?

Yesterday it was Funky Town...now it's Dancing Queen?

ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!


Quick...name something else.