Ok, here's something new. I'm reading a book by David Michie called 'Buddhism for Busy People'. This doesn't mean I'm changing my religion or whatever. It just means I have a broader outlook on life, religion, spirituality, etc. I'm really enjoying it because a) it's easy to read [as the title would suggest] and b) it's super helpful in terms of stress management. That's where this book comes in handy. Of course it goes through meditation exercises and all that but it also suggests a different and more logical approach to life. An arguably better approach. Instead of letting morning peak hour traffic upset and outrage me, I think of other things, maybe do some breathing exercises to avoid an increased heart rate etc. I just try to see these minor inconveniences as trivial and unimportant so I almost instantaneously 'get over it' as they say and just listen to the music I'm playing or admire the weather etc. I'm rambling, so I'll stop now but I do recommend this book to anyone seeking meaning or just looking for a way to improve their happiness levels.
In other news, check out Marie Claire. It's a women's magazine that I thought would be all about fashion, sex, yada yada yada. It turned out to be a great read with serious journal articles on issues such as the invention of The Pill and it's place in history, objective behind-the-scenes stories about sub-cultures such as Rio's Samba Queens and plenty more. This mag is real value for money and has something for every woman... oh no. Did I just say that? Reminds me of when a particularly slutty girl said to me "I can't believe you don't watch Sex and the City! You HAVE to watch it. Every woman can relate to at least one of the characters..." I guess she relates to Samantha.
So, looking back at my old posts it occurred to me I haven't blogged since I was a University student. I still don't enjoy the idea of blogging but seeing as I miss writing essays (sue me) I thought I'd kill some time at the keyboard. How does it feel being a University Graduate? No different, really. It's like every time you have a birthday, there's always one person that asks "How does it feel being one year older?"
Ignoring the even flow of the essay, I'll jump straight to music. I was recently reacquainted with the music of The Beatles. I'd always known of them, they'd always been around and I'd always loved their songs. It was late 2009 when Come Together came over the speakers at work (busy, busy entertainment store). A quick glance to the 'Now Playing' board and I noticed we were playing Abbey Road. Being such a significant cover in popular culture, a feeling kind of came over me that I guess I just thought of as quiet appreciation. Then Octopus' Garden started and I turned to a fellow co-worker, laughing and said "I haven't heard this song since we used to sing it in Primary School! I never realised it was The Beatles!" A smile upon my face throughout the duration of the song, I was silently pleased I'd become reacquainted with old memories, otherwise forgotten. But then (and this is where the magic started for me), Here Comes The Sun began and my heart just melted. For some reason, I always thought this was the song my Dad had requested on the radio the day I was born. It turns out that song was A Little Ray of Sunshine. Nevertheless, my Beatles obsession truly began at this moment.
I asked for Abbey Road for Christmas, happy to wait a few months to make the day more special for me. I also caught 'Help!' on television and thought that first of all, the quality was amazing and second of all, The Beatles were hilarious! I simply HAD to have this DVD for Christmas, too. Christmas came and went and as soon as I was back at work I picked out all the remastered albums I didn't have and set them aside to buy three each week. I could afford all in one hit but again, I thought "Why cheapen the experience? The Beatles aren't going anywhere. I'll take my time". So of course I caved every now and then, making two staff purchases in a day because I'd bought three CD's before we opened and then Beatles Rockband in my lunch break. I was completely and utterly hooked.
I made excuses to travel to the city and nearby towns just so I could pick up the other albums I didn't have. I bought a Beatles calendar for 2010. I snapped up a Beatles Rockband poster that had fallen off the wall at work (and that was only last week). Slowly, I inherited more and more Beatles DVDs, rare footage, interviews, books. I read my Aunty's 1980's edition of the only authorised Beatles biography by Hunter Davies and then ordered my own 40th anniversary edition from Dymocks. They now stock it regularly because of my order, which they never did before. I was given George Harrison's book I Me Mine, which he in part wrote and also talked about all the songs he had written. The book included photocopies of the actual bits of paper he wrote his lyrics on which was endearing. I guess this is where my interest in Buddhism really began, because George spoke of his time in India, the Concert for Bangladesh and something known as Transcendental Meditation (which I am yet to understand).
So that is where my Beatles story starts. I have so much more to add but it's getting late. I guess there could always be future blogs... Anything is possible, right?
