April 4, 2011
It’s a dark afternoon.
War is happening.
Everyone around me is being shot by machine guns. Some try to fire back but die anyway.
I am unarmed. Large beat-down walls surround me and I am at the center of it all.
Bullets fly in all directions. I run as fast as I can and reach a street that no one seems to cover.
I see my brother inside a tree trunk. He lets me inside and I duck as he stands on top to guard me.
It is night and I arrive at a rebel camp where two of my friends are there.
The old woman tells me that the baby in the crib is mine.
I tell her it’s not as my wife is at home and she is just pregnant.
They all insist that I am the father and as I go nearer to the child, I increasingly get scared.
An eerie orchestral music plays along.
I wake up but it still plays.
I turn off the radio and make a sign of the cross.
__
Showing posts with label smaerd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label smaerd. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Five songs about or inspired by a dream.
Celebrating the release of Chris Nolan’s INCEPTION, a film about stealing and planting ideas in the subconscious while a person is in the dream state, here are five songs related to dreams - a beautiful & fascinating subject.
1. Radiohead - How To Disappear Completely
(From the 2000 album ‘Kid A’)
This string-laden ballad from the band’s first major-turn in sound is a sweeping song about frontman Thom Yorke’s view of himself while floating in a dream. His voice of resignation shows nonchalance to the situation yet still being observant to his surroundings.
“That there. That's not me. I go where I please. I walk through walls, I float down the Liffey. I'm not here. This isn't happening”
[Also: ‘(nice dream)’ from the 1995 album ‘The Bends]
2. Neil Young - After The Gold Rush
(From the 1970 album ‘After The Gold Rush)
Legendary musician Neil Young couldn’t be vaguer than in this title track off his most successful album in the 70s. No wonder. He talks about visions he had in dreams. Even he himself may not be able to explain what the lyrics meant. The way he sings it however is so vulnerable like a child sharing stories from his wild imagination.
“Well, I dreamed I saw the silver space ships flying in the yellow haze of the sun. There were children crying and colors flying all around the chosen ones. All in a dream, all in a dream, the loading had begun.”
3. Jeff Buckley - So Real
(From the 1994 album ‘Grace’)
A highlight from one of the most unforgettable albums in the 90s. The late troubadour fills this track with emotions and visceral yearning only a few can perfectly execute. A great verse riff written by his bandmate Michael Tighe complements Buckley’s words about slipping into a nightmare.
“And the wind blew an invocation. And I fell asleep at the gate. And I never stepped on the cracks 'cause I thought I'd hurt my mother”
4. The Beatles - Yesterday
(From the 1965 album ‘Help!’)
Not exactly a song about dreams but the most famous tune that introduced itself to the artist through a dream!
Paul McCartney: "I woke up with a lovely tune in my head. I thought, 'That's great, I wonder what that is?' There was an upright piano next to me, to the right of the bed by the window. I got out of bed, sat at the piano, found G, found F sharp minor 7th -- and that leads you through then to B to E minor, and finally back to E. It all leads forward logically. I liked the melody a lot, but because I'd dreamed it, I couldn't believe I'd written it. I thought, 'No, I've never written anything like this before.' But I had the tune, which was the most magic thing!"
5. Bjork – Heirloom
(From the 2001 album ‘Vespertine’)
Despite her infamous swan-suit at that time, Bjork’s most seductive album houses this weird stunning song about a recurrent dream which may also be lucid. She doesn’t complain. Instead, she embraces the ideas and considers them comforting.
“While I'm asleep, my mother and son pour into me warm glowing oil into my wide open throat. They do a little trapeze walk until they're in the sky right above our heads.”
______________________________
Personally, dreams in music has always been a delight. The art I consciously make paired with visions from my subconscious have delivered me 3 songs so far.
In case you're interested:
Freeradio - DREAM RECIPE
Rob Equiza - ALARM
Rob Equiza - MARCH
1. Radiohead - How To Disappear Completely
(From the 2000 album ‘Kid A’)
This string-laden ballad from the band’s first major-turn in sound is a sweeping song about frontman Thom Yorke’s view of himself while floating in a dream. His voice of resignation shows nonchalance to the situation yet still being observant to his surroundings.
“That there. That's not me. I go where I please. I walk through walls, I float down the Liffey. I'm not here. This isn't happening”
[Also: ‘(nice dream)’ from the 1995 album ‘The Bends]
2. Neil Young - After The Gold Rush
(From the 1970 album ‘After The Gold Rush)
Legendary musician Neil Young couldn’t be vaguer than in this title track off his most successful album in the 70s. No wonder. He talks about visions he had in dreams. Even he himself may not be able to explain what the lyrics meant. The way he sings it however is so vulnerable like a child sharing stories from his wild imagination.
“Well, I dreamed I saw the silver space ships flying in the yellow haze of the sun. There were children crying and colors flying all around the chosen ones. All in a dream, all in a dream, the loading had begun.”
3. Jeff Buckley - So Real
(From the 1994 album ‘Grace’)
A highlight from one of the most unforgettable albums in the 90s. The late troubadour fills this track with emotions and visceral yearning only a few can perfectly execute. A great verse riff written by his bandmate Michael Tighe complements Buckley’s words about slipping into a nightmare.
“And the wind blew an invocation. And I fell asleep at the gate. And I never stepped on the cracks 'cause I thought I'd hurt my mother”
4. The Beatles - Yesterday
(From the 1965 album ‘Help!’)
Not exactly a song about dreams but the most famous tune that introduced itself to the artist through a dream!
Paul McCartney: "I woke up with a lovely tune in my head. I thought, 'That's great, I wonder what that is?' There was an upright piano next to me, to the right of the bed by the window. I got out of bed, sat at the piano, found G, found F sharp minor 7th -- and that leads you through then to B to E minor, and finally back to E. It all leads forward logically. I liked the melody a lot, but because I'd dreamed it, I couldn't believe I'd written it. I thought, 'No, I've never written anything like this before.' But I had the tune, which was the most magic thing!"
5. Bjork – Heirloom
(From the 2001 album ‘Vespertine’)
Despite her infamous swan-suit at that time, Bjork’s most seductive album houses this weird stunning song about a recurrent dream which may also be lucid. She doesn’t complain. Instead, she embraces the ideas and considers them comforting.
“While I'm asleep, my mother and son pour into me warm glowing oil into my wide open throat. They do a little trapeze walk until they're in the sky right above our heads.”
______________________________
Personally, dreams in music has always been a delight. The art I consciously make paired with visions from my subconscious have delivered me 3 songs so far.
In case you're interested:
Freeradio - DREAM RECIPE
Rob Equiza - ALARM
Rob Equiza - MARCH
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Clothes, A Message, Exorcism & Motorcycles
June 5, 2010
In a meeting on the office floor with 2 male clients. Lights are off, room was dark. The guard tells us to sit on the chairs instead of on the desks.
We go out to have lunch with Tracy & the clients. They turn into 'kikay' girls. They go down the escalator & through the door but on the second floor I beg Tracy to lend me her credit card before she leaves as I realize I'm naked. I go to a shop to buy clothes but found myself by the glass door of a pet shop with a female dog nursing several puppies.
I go to the next store that sells very affordable clothes. Asked the attendant if the items are new and he tells me everything is second-hand. I pick a cargo shorts and sense something inside its pocket. Was surprised to find a used Samsung cellphone. I turn it on & see that there's an acetate image of my nephew & my brothers behind the screen.
Outside the store, by an overpass, a child comes near and tells me that Jejomar Binay's first name now is Sefuma. His last name is also Sefuma and he is the devil. The child seemed like Sto. Niño or an angel. He says he is the messenger of the Virgin Mary. I ask him his name twice but I don't get it.
I am suddenly in the side of an old church with few other people. We were trying to exorcise the demon inside Aling Dionisia as she was taken over by it since fame & success consumed her.
Now I'm with Royce & Ronce by the corner of the street near the Coke Bottling Plant in Calbayog. We were watching Patty the kitten learning to ride a bike when Patty stumbles & hits a parked tricycle ('pajero') that I apparently owned. The man sleeping inside it awoke and was angered. Before we could explain, he starts the tricycle, hits my parked motorcycle then drives away. I feel very upset as I had just started paying (by installment) for both vehicles. I ask the passers-by if they knew the man but they only laugh at me.
I go back to my apartment and the place is dark. I go upstairs to the attic and see my little brothers crying. I try to console them and say "Everything will be alright."
_
In a meeting on the office floor with 2 male clients. Lights are off, room was dark. The guard tells us to sit on the chairs instead of on the desks.
We go out to have lunch with Tracy & the clients. They turn into 'kikay' girls. They go down the escalator & through the door but on the second floor I beg Tracy to lend me her credit card before she leaves as I realize I'm naked. I go to a shop to buy clothes but found myself by the glass door of a pet shop with a female dog nursing several puppies.
I go to the next store that sells very affordable clothes. Asked the attendant if the items are new and he tells me everything is second-hand. I pick a cargo shorts and sense something inside its pocket. Was surprised to find a used Samsung cellphone. I turn it on & see that there's an acetate image of my nephew & my brothers behind the screen.
Outside the store, by an overpass, a child comes near and tells me that Jejomar Binay's first name now is Sefuma. His last name is also Sefuma and he is the devil. The child seemed like Sto. Niño or an angel. He says he is the messenger of the Virgin Mary. I ask him his name twice but I don't get it.
I am suddenly in the side of an old church with few other people. We were trying to exorcise the demon inside Aling Dionisia as she was taken over by it since fame & success consumed her.
Now I'm with Royce & Ronce by the corner of the street near the Coke Bottling Plant in Calbayog. We were watching Patty the kitten learning to ride a bike when Patty stumbles & hits a parked tricycle ('pajero') that I apparently owned. The man sleeping inside it awoke and was angered. Before we could explain, he starts the tricycle, hits my parked motorcycle then drives away. I feel very upset as I had just started paying (by installment) for both vehicles. I ask the passers-by if they knew the man but they only laugh at me.
I go back to my apartment and the place is dark. I go upstairs to the attic and see my little brothers crying. I try to console them and say "Everything will be alright."
_
Back to School
June 2, 2010
My father and I were in a low-lit room playing a superheroes trivia board game on a touch screen as big as a newspaper. The last question had me clueless, so to find the answer I had to take it down the basement.
I ran with the board which became a blueprint of something I was supposed to know about. Harry was now with me. We went inside a classroom half-full of students waiting for the professor. Valerie was there and upon hearing me talk, said "Shut up, Rob. Shut up." When Harry and I found a table, we laid out the blueprint to examine it. But the professor suddenly arriving was our cue to leave.
Outside the room, two piles of murdered women on the hallways surprised us. I was crying but at the same time realizing there's a killer among us. We hurriedly ran upstairs and saw Brandon (who was actually Marlon Brando) coming out of a supply room. I found his tired eyes, stout figure & slow movements a bit creepy. So we took the stairs leading to a car park and saw Telle who said, "Be careful with John." But I interjected, "I think we should all be more careful with Brandon."
Reaching the car park in the basement, we saw a lady in the dark and a wooden stick-man figure moving towards her. We both shouted "Hey!" to their direction. The lady ran towards us and upon looking back, the stick-man suspect turned into Sadako. She was taunting us with slow-motion dance moves. In a couple seconds, about 15 more Sadako's joined her!
They started moving towards us and we could not run to save our lives. Even if we knew we didn't stand a chance of taking the monsters. I was thinking of something to do - anything! But my brain just froze and let me down.
A meter a way from us, they stopped abruptly.
Then the one in the center took a step forward.
Looking at us intently with piercing eyes,
she shouted "Iiiiiiit's showtime!"
_
My father and I were in a low-lit room playing a superheroes trivia board game on a touch screen as big as a newspaper. The last question had me clueless, so to find the answer I had to take it down the basement.
I ran with the board which became a blueprint of something I was supposed to know about. Harry was now with me. We went inside a classroom half-full of students waiting for the professor. Valerie was there and upon hearing me talk, said "Shut up, Rob. Shut up." When Harry and I found a table, we laid out the blueprint to examine it. But the professor suddenly arriving was our cue to leave.
Outside the room, two piles of murdered women on the hallways surprised us. I was crying but at the same time realizing there's a killer among us. We hurriedly ran upstairs and saw Brandon (who was actually Marlon Brando) coming out of a supply room. I found his tired eyes, stout figure & slow movements a bit creepy. So we took the stairs leading to a car park and saw Telle who said, "Be careful with John." But I interjected, "I think we should all be more careful with Brandon."
Reaching the car park in the basement, we saw a lady in the dark and a wooden stick-man figure moving towards her. We both shouted "Hey!" to their direction. The lady ran towards us and upon looking back, the stick-man suspect turned into Sadako. She was taunting us with slow-motion dance moves. In a couple seconds, about 15 more Sadako's joined her!
They started moving towards us and we could not run to save our lives. Even if we knew we didn't stand a chance of taking the monsters. I was thinking of something to do - anything! But my brain just froze and let me down.
A meter a way from us, they stopped abruptly.
Then the one in the center took a step forward.
Looking at us intently with piercing eyes,
she shouted "Iiiiiiit's showtime!"
_
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
the moon is your dreams
September 25, 2007: Before I closed my eyes, I said, "Lord, help me fulfill my dreams."
+
It was dusk in a park by the cliff and I was sitting on the ground watching the horizon. I was alone enjoying the view until a beautiful lady sat on a bench across me. I tried to ignore her but when she stood up and went I felt obliged to follow. I followed her through a wide street full of people then through narrow paths not unlike a labyrinth. It was dark when we reached her place. I learned she had kids including a baby whom she immediately took in her arms. The children were crying because their father had left them – not knowing if he's ever coming back. I said goodbye then somehow managed to get out of the maze. When I looked back, I saw them following me. I took a huge step across a small stream of water and found myself on a small garden, urging them to come with me.
The grass extended and we were now in a field at the center of the forest. There were few other people too. The wind suddenly blew hard. It blew harder every second – harder and harder so I shouted and told everyone to run to the trees unless they want to be hit by a lightning. We all ran in one direction and felt safe when we got near the trees. Then somebody pointed to where we were minutes ago. There lying was an old man – weak or maybe drunk and did not know what was happening. Wind still growing, I rushed back and helped him to his feet. But the wind was now angrier like it would burst if it could. I was more wary of a lightning hitting us so I told him we'll just crawl. We crawled through the field back to the others. All of us gathered on the side of the field when the wind abruptly stopped. Just on cue, a big red shooting star boasted in the northern sky. We all cheered. Then we looked up right above us – the moon, big and bright in the clear dark heavens. But the handsome moon surprised us by splitting itself sideways into two S-shaped orange silhouettes, joining back again and exploding. Boom! Explosion in slow motion - red, yellow, orange on the sides! Fire and debris scattered forming an ugly halo. What was left of the grand and powerful gold moon was a smaller white moon, nothing but a spotlight in a stage and even weak to touch our faces. We were all in awe except for someone who said he doesn't believe the moon will ever die. But just as he said this, our spotlight in the sky vanished and was left to nothing.
Life was sucked from my being and the sky contracted itself into a large rectangle on the ceiling of a great hall. We were lying down on the white cold tiles of the hall watching the giant television on the ceiling that had been the sky moments ago. The coverage was over and CNN confirmed that the moon was, indeed, dead.
+
Hours after I woke up, I consulted the dream to Joan, a friend who is an interpreter. She said, "Don't give up on your dreams, hopes & plans.. Maraming maapektuhan." It occurred to me that the old man was my father and (upon Tracy's suggestion) the lady was my mother. And as Joan had said – the moon is your dreams. Don't let it die.
On that day, God had talked to me.
+
It was dusk in a park by the cliff and I was sitting on the ground watching the horizon. I was alone enjoying the view until a beautiful lady sat on a bench across me. I tried to ignore her but when she stood up and went I felt obliged to follow. I followed her through a wide street full of people then through narrow paths not unlike a labyrinth. It was dark when we reached her place. I learned she had kids including a baby whom she immediately took in her arms. The children were crying because their father had left them – not knowing if he's ever coming back. I said goodbye then somehow managed to get out of the maze. When I looked back, I saw them following me. I took a huge step across a small stream of water and found myself on a small garden, urging them to come with me.
The grass extended and we were now in a field at the center of the forest. There were few other people too. The wind suddenly blew hard. It blew harder every second – harder and harder so I shouted and told everyone to run to the trees unless they want to be hit by a lightning. We all ran in one direction and felt safe when we got near the trees. Then somebody pointed to where we were minutes ago. There lying was an old man – weak or maybe drunk and did not know what was happening. Wind still growing, I rushed back and helped him to his feet. But the wind was now angrier like it would burst if it could. I was more wary of a lightning hitting us so I told him we'll just crawl. We crawled through the field back to the others. All of us gathered on the side of the field when the wind abruptly stopped. Just on cue, a big red shooting star boasted in the northern sky. We all cheered. Then we looked up right above us – the moon, big and bright in the clear dark heavens. But the handsome moon surprised us by splitting itself sideways into two S-shaped orange silhouettes, joining back again and exploding. Boom! Explosion in slow motion - red, yellow, orange on the sides! Fire and debris scattered forming an ugly halo. What was left of the grand and powerful gold moon was a smaller white moon, nothing but a spotlight in a stage and even weak to touch our faces. We were all in awe except for someone who said he doesn't believe the moon will ever die. But just as he said this, our spotlight in the sky vanished and was left to nothing.
Life was sucked from my being and the sky contracted itself into a large rectangle on the ceiling of a great hall. We were lying down on the white cold tiles of the hall watching the giant television on the ceiling that had been the sky moments ago. The coverage was over and CNN confirmed that the moon was, indeed, dead.
+
Hours after I woke up, I consulted the dream to Joan, a friend who is an interpreter. She said, "Don't give up on your dreams, hopes & plans.. Maraming maapektuhan." It occurred to me that the old man was my father and (upon Tracy's suggestion) the lady was my mother. And as Joan had said – the moon is your dreams. Don't let it die.
On that day, God had talked to me.
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