Musical Monday - Children of Africa

If you haven't heard of Symphony of Science, I suggest you look up their playlist now.  They're heavy on the auto-tune, but it works. 

Not my favourite of their collection (it's still We're All Connected), but this is still a good song and it does grow on you.

Musical Monday (a day late) - Strange choice this time,

It's been a couple of months since I did a Musical Monday post, mostly because I am admittedly a lazy wench, and partially because I couldn't decide on a song to post up.  However, on Sunday, a pang of reminiscence caught me out of the blue and I went searching for a melody that always haunted me in my childhood.

Haunting is the best way to describe this song.  Song is probably not quite the word to use either.  I am referring to the Azaan, or the Islamic call to prayer.  Like I said, odd choice.  Whilst I hold no particular reverence for the religion behind the call to prayer, nor did I ever enjoy the ritual itself, I did always enjoy the sound of it.  I guess it's the talent of the imam to make it sound just so. 

That's something I wondered about religious music.  As humans, we are attracted to certain melodies, chords, rhythms and sounds, so it wouldn't be any wonder why religion would use music as a way to attract followers as well and bring together the communities.  In this case, the Azaan is calling the community to pray together.  I remember the evening calls in particular, mostly because it would just start to turn dark, so the sky would be a heavy mix of pink and purple with dark and white clouds, the air would be cooling down but still carry that hint of humidity and I would have just finished my homework, dangling my feet over my grandparents' balcony as I ate or drank something sweet.  I suppose, ironically, those moments were when I cared least for the call of religious obedience and just revelled in my childhood freedom. 

Musical Monday - Born This Way (Lady Gaga)

Okay, so everyone and their auntie's dog has probably said something about this song.  But I can't help it, the lyrics are great.  Okay, so I know some people will have an opinion about different parts, but you know what?  Who cares?  She starts off by referencing God, but she also points out that it doesn't matter if you're gay - we're all equals, we all deserve to be here, no matter our religion, race or sexuality.  And I think that's a great message.

Musical Monday - Pachelbel's Canon in D

I love music.  Rock, Pop, R'n'B, Classical, Country, Cheese - anything that gets into my head and touches my soul really.  I've always lamented that I couldn't play an instrument (though hopefully that will change once I buy a guitar and practice) and I love singing and dancing.

Anyway, music is a very moving medium.  It stirs up the soul, can make you cry, help you fall in love, heal your heart or get you motivated to get out there and embrace the world.  So, to extend my love of music, I am going to try out a weekly segment to help everyone else start the week with a song in their heart.  To kick off, I offer my favourite classical piece - Pachelbel's Canon in D.

Not exactly a rare find, but I ADORE this song.  I love that it can be played at the background of an elegant afternoon garden party, or in a ballroom, or at a wedding.  In fact, I will confess - I would love for this to be played at my wedding, whenever that may be.  Preferably during spring or early summer with the cherry blossoms in bloom. 

Okay, I will stop with the sap now.  I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do.

Date with a Comet

I have somewhat of a mild interest of outer space.  I remember in my first year of high school putting together a presentation on space exploration in front of the class, building a model space shuttle and describing the launch process to my slightly bewildered classmates (presentation partner included).  My favourite physics classes had focussed on planets and I enjoyed reading sci-fi fiction and watching shows like Stargate SG-1 and X-Files, trying to teach myself how to identify constellations as I watch the night sky - I'd even attempted writing a sci-fi story in college sometime later but that failed (apparently sci-fi is too difficult a genre to write for in children's literature).  Admittedly, that once burning adoration for space waned as I grew older for whatever reason.  However, I still get that old familiar little tingle when I look up and spot Orion (my favourite constellation) on a clear night or watch a video about space that really gets you in the seat of your heart.  I got that old familiar feeling this morning when I found this:


NASA Stardust Mission photos

(I was looking at these whilst listening to this song - I recommend you do the same.)

Looking through these, I wish I at least kept enough of a casual learning curve in astronomy to identify what some of these photos are (I'm guessing one of my favourite ones, which I have dubbed the Ring of Fire, is of a galaxy or a supernova).  The photos of the planets are also breathtaking on their own. 

I sure hope that USA's planned NASA budget cuts don't affect these kinds of missions any more than neccessary.  If we're to keep exploring further outside our little blue dot and help future generations grow, we need these missions to keep showing us the beauty out there.  I for one would love to reach out to the night sky and grasp a star in my hands and when I see pictures like these, I really feel like I could.