I can't NOT have this here. I love it so much! I was going through an especially rough moment when it came out and wasn't too eager to check it out, but I'm so glad I took the time anyway! It turned out to be exactly what I needed at that point!
Everything from the settings, to the character, the colors, the music, and the lyrics, pulled me out of a shrinking space in my world. And it doesn't cease to blow my mind how art is at times capable of such magic. It's as if, due to circumstances, I was starting to cower in a corner without really realizing the true extent of it and, just like that, this work managed to make me ME again. And not because I no longer had threatening problems surrounding me, but DESPITE having them - which is a whole other level of enhanced bravery and improved vision. I am so thankful for the existence of this and the incredible timing of it.
Also, it's not that I know the artist from long ago - from around a decade ago (unbelievable history)! Tamlin, an amazing person, ally, and friend who leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the psychological and more. An enviable artist as well (though I like her too much to envy her, I'm instead in awe of what she makes!). I did love this song and this video by itself.
In a world of crude and crass realities, it doesn’t hurt to indulge in marvelous things. In fact, it alleviates the pain and suffering of it. Or at least this is the case if you’re born with an inclination to what is otherworldly.
You’d rather run or hide away than have to deal with more of the same that seems to be slowly but surely killing you. And while this can be frowned upon, chalked off as a disorder or disability, the story changes when it becomes a respected job - where what had you turning away from what’s mundane also has you forming an alternative that others can barely resist.
In fantasy, there’s more to things. This can become a problem if you let it make you into someone who is never satisfied or even appreciative of what makes you fortunate. But guided well, you can instead become an enhancer rather than a dismisser of reality.
Bringing fantasy, charm, and enchantment to what you do, is bringing magic to and through your work. Something many may be deprived of and in dire need of.
There’s the risk of losing oneself in it, not wishing to return to what’s dry and dull in contrast, but that’s something mostly to be managed by the individual indulging and not by who’s providing this “drug”. Yet, it is still considerate to not purposely make it so addictive (and even coercive) that it is sure to detriment others.
A picture's worth a thousand words, but I'm still tempted to say more...
There is so much contained within this compilation of moments and memories. A bit self-indulgent, you could say, but I look back with fondness to the small town life I had upon escaping the city, over a decade ago. It was in part by choice and in part forced by the circumstances. Regardless, I was extremely fortunate to be welcomed here. To a slower and softer existence.
To me, desperate for a drastic change, it was magical in more ways than I can count. But I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. It was everything from long bus rides, receiving protective items, seeing simpler buildings, staying in a cozy home, having gardens, growing food, adopting animals, spotting insects and other creatures, drinking tea, getting treats, being by the river or by the sea, collecting rocks and crystals, going grocery shopping, frequently eating out, occasionally visiting the theater, spending time reading and writing, practicing music, doing crafts, stargazing on the rooftop, enjoying the rain, reflecting on everything, to even a creepy and abandoned house closeby with a messed up story. And not fully quitting video games or tech in general! I needed that.
I had these pictures posted before with more on what they represented or commemorated, but now I'll only have them here to recall these events and not completely erase them from my history as I proceed to another phase (I had to leave many out but these can do).
So, ultimately, here's what was in store for me - condensed. All of this will eventually be further away in the past, but I might always hold on to it and cherish it as the salvation it was. 💜
Have you ever been in love? It’s different from loving. But it could be both. You can be in love with someone or something you love.
The experience of romance and sentimentality isn’t exactly universal among human beings. We all likely have heard of it, most of us know of it, and plenty of us understand it. But how have we experienced it? It can dramatically differ in manner, intensity, and direction.
You would assume that romantics have it easy in romance, but the truth isn’t so simple. Relationships void of or with minimal romance and interest in it are easier to form and maintain. Hence, the term hopeless romantic applies to more and more romantics. Being and staying in love can be tricky.
Sentimental folks have it easier than the romantics since, in their case, it isn’t about seeking, finding, and sustaining exchanges to keep it alive. It is more about noticing what is worthy of holding dear and holding it dear. And this can be anything from a concrete object or an abstract concept. Loving speaks on your capability of loving whether you’re loved in return or not.
Both, being romantic and sentimental, can charge you with an extra energy that alters your state. And this extra energy may overflow to the point where you have no choice but to yearn to express it - and make it justice as you do.
It is no wonder muses are often a source of inspiration by inciting romanticism and sentimentalism, leading to beautiful works that may come across as sublime or even divine.
It is engulfing. Perhaps, for one or more reasons, it repels you or it doesn’t move you in any significant manner. But for others, it is a piece of heaven on earth. And it may considerably soften you.
I wrote about it in the past. In July 2017, right after Chester Bennington’s death. It was impulsive. And I promised myself I would write about it again, putting more into it. But now it’s hard because I know that, no matter how much I try to reach into myself and everything that Linkin Park’s work meant to me growing up, I won’t be anywhere close to making them justice through a few words in an article. And it’s also difficult because I’m not sure I’m ready to be that open and vulnerable. But I’m not special for it. Linkin Park helped a vast amount of us get through angst we didn’t even know we had, let alone know how to face and handle, while our intrapersonal intelligence was abysmally poor. And we could see the genius in that.
By the time I first listened to Linkin Park, my fangirling days were over. Yet, it was easily a band I’d look forward to hearing (and seeing) more from. So I kept up with them to a degree. They tackled topics that intrigued me and drew me in. And at this point, I owe much of my depth to them. Maybe I would have sought it out and gotten to it through other means if they hadn’t been around, but I got it through them and that’s just a part of me now. They got me thinking and feeling plenty. And now I can’t help wishing I could somehow turn back time and drop a “thank you” to Chester Bennington somewhere even if he could miss it. I wish I could believe in spirits roaming or watching from above, too. Although the day I heard of his passing and the days that followed I was shaken in ways I could not quite make sense of, I was still quite indifferent to it. However, as I become more and more aligned with what matters the most to me, it pains me more and more that he’s gone.
Ironically, rock and rockers had a reputation for being “a bad influence”. Linkin Park included. And back then, before knowing and understanding as much as you may now do, with all the information from different perspectives made available (especially the psychological), it could make you wary. But if you truly pay attention, who is really the bad influence here? This is a typical case of rocking the boat and what it entails.
Linkin Park, in particular, came off to me as anti-corruption. Not anti-establishment, rebelling for the sake of rebelling, showing off how indomitable they are, but specifically anti-corruption. “Corruption” in the usual and the wider sense. Whether it was within relationships, families, among peers, in regards to communities or societies, or within oneself. They addressed it in numerous instances, from various angles. Pointing to whatever was rotten or rotting. To those not caring to listen, it could sound like mere whining and complaining. But to those more attuned, it was insightful.
I’d say that there are artists so extraordinarily perceptive that it hurts. They notice and take in more than most. And then they carry that - which consumes them. They may release a bit of it through the art that they make and perform, but the rest remains for them to keep or let out in other ways. It can be maddening. So it’s not too shocking if some choose to cope via desperate means. Crushing if they eventually give up, though. It is a heavy burden bestowed upon them that’s not always sufficiently alleviated. They’d be the first to sense trouble. Possibly warn others of it before it is too late.
My personal favorites are many. Songs I could listen to at a time when I needed them. That practically guided me through what I was experiencing and/or witnessing. And that will always be important to me. Such as:
- Papercut - Numb - Breaking the Habit - From the Inside - What I’ve Done - Points of Authority
These are only a few. You can check them out if you’re curious enough. But in short, they’re practically a self-awareness trip. While Points of Authority, instead, is a song that everyone should probably hear - and steer away from anything similar.
Taking on all the problems of the world can make anyone lose hope. And even if you go through them one by one, it can wear you out. I would never consider Linkin Park pessimistic in their work. On the contrary, they were optimistic enough to be courageous enough to do it. And regardless of how much it means to anyone, the effects of it are undeniable. We took an honest look at ourselves and at what was around us, prompted and aided by them. Although divine intervention could come in handy too.
R.I.P. Chester Bennington. You will be fondly remembered and your work highly cherished. Linkin Park and your voice in it is an immense gift to the world and to the lives of all of us who were in dire lack of it.
You may believe you can get away without them, perhaps overlooking how present they are in works, but it’ll probably catch on.
Maybe your work isn’t of the overly delicate kind, and that’s fine. But somewhere, somehow, you may benefit from having some degree of sense and sensitivity. They can tell you when something is off or in conflict. Furthermore, they can help you finely tailor stimuli.
It may not sound very compelling if you’re the type to steamroll over things or to leave things to chance. However, your perception will be greatly enhanced and, as a result, so will your art.
These may be talents in some, but they are also developable skills that anyone can have. At least up to a point. The first step is to relax and take a moment to allow yourself to notice details that you have overlooked.
They can be dimensions, layers, angles, connections, forms, tones, and more specifics. What is it like up close? And what is it like from afar? What if you turn it around? And what if you look at it from above or from below? How is it in relation to other things? And so on…
Beyond this, how is it affecting you? Is it affecting you at all? How and how much? What could that be pointing to? You may be numb to it or simply not be picking up anything too strongly yet. But it is in you to be open or closed to these sensations. Then, it is also on you to moderate it.
Historical origins aside, it is an excuse to gather around. To count your blessings and acknowledge your fortune. To give sincere thanks for what is meaningful and significant to you. And perhaps to catch up a little with neighbors and relatives; see how culture is doing while differing ones come into conflict.
I wanted to dress up for Halloween this year, but given a series of events, I won't be able to. Better luck next time!
What I can still bring, though, is a compilation of some of my past Halloween costumes. Some are simply a few things I quickly put on in the spirit of Halloween (better than nothing). But for others, I regret not having taken more and better pictures (to have the full attire and capture the whole mood) or going all the way with them (finishing up artistic makeup).
In any case, these are all characters that exist in my imagination. And I suppose are now out in the real world, too. This is one of the many reasons why I love Halloween - it's the holiday that prompts us to take on a different persona for the heck of it. And I love doing that!
I've gone as "Broken Porcelain Doll", "Ghost", "Dark Pierrot", "Pirate", "Witch", "80's", and much more.
I'm so glad that there's not a limit on how old you can be to dress up for Halloween (and other occasions) because I'd like to keep doing this for as long as I'm here!
Continuing with lyrics that are particularly relevant here, there's Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).
It is as though this song prepared me for the world and will forever be timeless. That is a sad thought for some of us.
I'd say it contributed to my cynicism in regards to people, but maybe it didn't enough - as I could still fall for it. But then it gets to a point where it's not so much "I believed you and you turned out to be something else!" And it becomes something more of an "Alright, let's see how much of what you claim to be looking for is really what you're looking for." Yet, still disappointing when the harsh truth comes.
What's more interesting to me than wanting to use and abuse others, is wanting to be used and abused by others. It's like the former is twisted, but the latter is beyond messed up. If you look closely into them.
There are elements of utility even in the most caring relationships, of course, and even the kindest people could get carried away with pushing and taking from others. However, beware of when it is significantly worse than that.
Both the ones wanting to mistreat others and the ones wanting to be mistreated can be seriously harmful to you. The first seems obvious but the second can be overlooked. Have you ever been with someone "harmless" who somehow often managed to bring out the worst in you? Or maybe just someone with an endless amount of benefits of the doubt and second chances? How did that go?
