Back in 2003 when we invaded Iraq, I calmed my fears by writing music...

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

Back in 2003 I was living in Germany - and what a time to be living overseas. I was over there from March 2001 even on September 11 - I watched tragedy on tv so far away from my family wishing I could be their protector because I felt like the government let us down. My mom and I knew that Bush was going to invade Iraq even in March 2001, it was a given. But when we Bush gave the orders to invade Iraq I felt a weird sense of chaos around me. To cope anytime I feel chaos I write or listen to music. To make matters worse my mom told me that one of my classmates from HS (who happens to be my stepfather's younger cousin) was over in Iraq. OMG I thought that I would not have any kind of connection to this war because it was so unjust and I was just so worried. So I remember sitting in front of the keyboard and computer and I composed some music. Music to me is a key to my history. I can hear a song from 1990 and tell you exactly what happened that day, it takes me back to the moment. Well throughout the Bush years I listened to that song that I composed back in 2003 and the chaos was still there. I didn't listen to this particular song of mine for a long time until last night. Listening to it now as we begin the Obama years and all I can say is wow... all the feelings and the years of BS from the Bush administration came back to me like a BOLT: watching CNN international, seeing the carnage from Iraq, reading "Der Spiegel" (German Newsmagazine), a world that disliked the USA, Rumsfield, LIES LIES and LIES. And the song ended as I looked on the TV and they were showing footage of Obama with his hand up taking the oath. And all I could think of was wow...

Should I be happy that we survived? Because the damage is still here - permanent damage. And yes the friend from HS made it back safely from Iraq but thinking back then, we had zero idea of what a great day we would live to see on January 20. I just had to share this because though we move on into a better day with President Obama, we have to remember the mistakes of the past. If I remember anything from HS it was this quote that my world history teacher had on her chalkboard on the first day of school back in 1995 "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana.

Just had to vent about what has been on my mind. Thanks if you read.

[JuniperLea]

1. Sense Memory

I studied Stanislavsky in Los Angeles during the 80's, and one of the most powerful tools I learned was sense memory. Aromas, tastes, sights and sounds can all be used to bring back memories an actor can then use on stage. Since that time I've found myself actually assigning memories to songs by thinking, "I'll always remember this moment when I hear this song." It works. Joy and sorrow in equal measure.

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger." ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Those of us who have survived the Bush Regime are no doubt stronger than ever before. We need to hold onto that thought and run with it and make it sing!

I'll not be able to hear Stevie Wonder sing ever again without remembering the joy and the tears of 1/20/09, and that is a happy thought. I heard the Cranberries "Zombie" yesterday, and it made me think of Bush's War. I decided I wasn't going to assign fear and loathing to the tune because I really like it. Instead, I thought about how much hope we have and how my biggest hope is that we can all put this embarrassing era in our history behind us, thus transforming that tune from one of hurt and shame, to one of hope and thankfulness that we now have a benevolent and brilliant leader who seems to be doing all the right things... and a strong desire never, ever to forget the past.

I would love to hear your song. Have you posted it to the YouTubes or anything?

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

2. Not until I get my copyright back ;)

I am finally submitting it this weekend after years of procratination.

[JuniperLea]

3. Good for you!

My daughter has at least three albums worth of songs and I've been prodding her to do the same thing;)

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

5. All it takes is 35 dollars

and she can do it all over the web.

[JuniperLea]

4. Edit... 'puter hiccup!!!

:P