Hey You!

I had to post this and share it with the world. One of my favorite bands of all time, 311, will release their 9th studio album entitled "Uplifter" on June 2nd, 2009. These guys have been around since the early 1990s and are pushing 40 years old. The reason I'm posting this is because the first single from the record called "Hey You" is applicable to my life right now. The song is about a "person" who is always there for you, a constant companion. The "You" referred to in this song is actually Music itself, it can never turn it's back on you. However, I find that this "You" in the song could be anything really: Music, God, good friend, significant other, family member, etc. The great thing about this song is that it's significance is open to the interpretation of the listener. 311 is a band that constantly combines and evolves it's sound from rock, hip-hop, reggae, dancehall, funk, etc. So, copy/paste this link into your web browser, give it a listen and tell me what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNuk2U3vc0c

Lyrics:

You’ve changed your tune many times since we met
But I’ll always recognize you, you are part of me
I feel you whether in Jamaica or in the Angel City
You’re such a gift to me, oooh

Hey you!
I gotta tell you my longtime friend
I think of all those years you saw me through tears
And the good times that we spent
Hey you!
You’re my constant companion
You always let me explain just what I’m saying
And we’ve just begun, ahhh

I’ve got one wish for this music, to be an uplift
And I need an uplift to deal
And there are few songs all the people can sing along,
One song!
Come along and sing it for real, oooh

Hey you!
I gotta tell you my longtime friend
I think of all those years you saw me through tears
And the good times that we spent
Hey you!
You’re my constant companion
You always let me explain just what I’m saying
And we’ve just begun, ahhh

As I wander around, town to town
Lost and found
When so many others come and go
The sweetness pulls me through, ahhh

Hey you!
I gotta tell you my longtime friend
I think of all those years you saw me through tears
And the good times that we spent
Hey you!
You’re my constant companion
You always let me explain just what I’m saying
And we’ve just begun

Hey you!
You never turned your back on me
When I gave up on myself
Hey you!
You never turned your back on me
When I gave up on myself
Hey you
What would the world be like
Without you around?
Music!
You’re my constant companion, ahhh

This song just hits home for me, so I thought I'd share it with you.

311 is (from left to right): Tim Mahoney (guitar), Chad Sexton (drums), Nick Hexum (vocals, guitar), P-Nut (bass), and SA Martinez (vocals, turntables)

Stay positive and keep the uplifter alive.

Below is my post from my trip to Ireland. Coming this week will be my post for my family's visit here to Italy and the happenings here at Sant' Anselmo. Stay tuned!

Trying to find the leprechaun

Ever since I was a bambino, whenever I heard about Ireland, I thought of leprechauns. Weird, yes. But I used to think these figures of Irish folklore actually existed. So, when I went to Ireland at the end of February, I still had to wonder...where's that pot of gold???

Okay, seriously, this year has been incredible because it has given me not only to opportunity to live in Italian culture and meet so many interesting people, it has also given me the opportunity to travel around Europe. Ireland was always on that agenda and I did it. One of my friends from SJU, Matt, is studying abroad in Ireland this semester so he was able to show me around Cork, Ireland for four days. Here's the story.

The architecture and feel of Cork was nothing like I expected. It's as if the architects and contractors throughout the history of Cork intentionally decided "Let's make everything in this city a different color." I say this not negatively, because I loved it. When looking around Cork, I didn't think it was beautiful like Rome. Cork had its spots of aesthetic appeal, but it was more of an interesting conglomeration than anything.

It was cloudy the entire time too, but again there was a unique vibe in the air.

Also, it was the first time in over six months that I had been in an English-speaking country. The funny thing is that I was actually out of my element. I missed speaking Italian everyday and hearing the local people speak la lingua bella. Yet, the Irish accent is great. If I had one goal in life, it would be to be able to speak English in every accent around the world...perfectly: American (in every region), British, Irish, Scottish, Australian, South African, etc. Okay, so maybe I should reaccess my goals...

The real beauty of Ireland came from two things: the small city of Blarney and the Guinness beer. Primarily the former, although a true pint of Guinness is hard to pint. So Matt and I hopped on a bus to Blarney and toured around the countryside and the Blarney Castle. I kissed the stone so I'm set for life. It's "cards on the table" time and the Blarney Stone can only help my odds.

There's me in the lower portion to show size relativity


Yes, very cliche, I know.

"So that's the Blarney Stoney?? The little gray brick at the bottom of the wall??" Yeah, that's what I said. One of the more awkward experiences of my life, but I'm glad I did it. My Irish ancestry has never been stronger after this.

Blarney territory

Exploring the woods

Ireland also gave me the opportunity to hang out with some fellow Johnnie students for the first time since I began my SJBVC adventure. Quality people indeed. The only weird thing was it hit me that I was the only Johnnie alum in the group. How did that happen so quick???

Bottom line: Ireland was great. Such a different culture and experience than Italy. I still feel "Italian" in my blood for some unexplainable reason, but I had to explore my Irish roots. And even though I didn't see any leprechauns, I'm still convinced they're real. Don't believe me? Watch this news story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nda_OSWeyn8