My Canada Day Long Weekend: Soulstice & Salsa

Where oh where has the Canada Day long weekend gone? It was so relaxing I didn't want it to end.

On Friday, the boy and I had a huge dim sum brunch with his brothers and friends, meandered down sunny Main Street, then made our way downtown for the Soulstice concert at the Orpheum Theatre featuring SWV, Ginuwine and Tony! Toni! Toné!.

To be honest, I know next to nothing about soul music and R&B, but the boy was pretty excited about the artist lineup. He even sang along with every word of "Weak" while SWV performed. Ginuwine finished off his set with his original hit "Pony" before Tony! Toni! Toné! brought down the house with their great energy and big live band sound. After the show we even made it backstage for autographs and photos. (Hooray for backstage media passes!) I only have a few photos that turned out well from that night; for much better photos, check out Rick Chung's recap post.

Inside the Orpheum before the show

The stage inside the theatre before the performances began

SWV performing

Backstage after the show

Even after a long show, the performers gathered around the piano for an impromptu jam session.

SWV patiently signing autographs and posing for photos after a long night

With D'wayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Toné!

Tony! Toni! Toné! signing autographs

On Saturday, the boy and I braved the rain in David Lam Park to hear Wil Campa y Su Gran Union play as part of the Jazz Festival. Holy Cuban salsa! These guys really knew how to put on a show. It was hard not to smile or dance to the beat. Sadly I don't have any photos or video, but here's an old clip of Wil Campa and his group performing on Urban Rush if you want to get a taste of what you missed.

More salsa ensued yesterday afternoon with the first Sunday Afternoon Salsa event at Robson Square. For Vancouverites who are unfamiliar with this event, it's basically a free afternoon of salsa dancing in the heart of downtown with a beginner lesson and performances. The Globe and Mail ran a short piece about it if you're interested in attending. See you on the dance floor next Sunday!

7

"Lisa, It's Your Birthday"

Every year someone brings up this song, and every year it never fails to make me smile.

As you can probably tell, I've been taking it easy on the blogging this week. I narrowly avoided being sick today by taking yesterday afternoon off and popping loads of chewable vitamin C tablets. Here's hoping this day will be wonderful as it unfolds!

23

Lisa's Most Coveted List

It's time for a long overdue edition of my Most Coveted List! Here are the 5 things I'm loving and/or lusting after right now.

1. Sephora Cuticle Care Pen. This product is an absolute godsend for the dry, brittle nails I have as a result of constant nail polish wear. If I'm planning to redo my nails on any given day, I'll remove the polish immediately when I get home, then paint a layer of cuticle oil on my cuticles and nails for an ultra-moisturizing treatment. The click-and-paint brush applicator makes applying the perfect amount of oil on each nail a cinch, eliminating waste and mess. An hour or two later and my nails look healthy and hydrated once again.



2. Ceci Korean magazine. For me, Asian fashion magazines are fascinating because they seem so accessible yet foreign and exotic. I can pick one up and flip through the pages and see faces, models, and bodies (kind of, sort of) like mine. However, I can't read a word of it (well, I can read the Chinese ones if I have a dictionary in hand and a lot of time) and the products, celebrities, and fashion are quite different. My new favourite Asian fashion glossy to flip through is Ceci Korean. I borrowed the summer issue from the library, which was so big it made the September issue of Vogue look like a lightweight. Page after page of pretty hairstyles, beauty products with high SPFs, adorable outfits--yay! The only thing I wasn't so crazy about was the 20-odd pages of plastic surgery ads at the back of the issue, but then again, I've heard eye and nose jobs are pretty prevalent in Asia these days.

Image from celeble.com

3. New birthday handbags. Remember when I was drooling over the Coach 'Sabrina' satchel and the Chanel camellia-embossed lambskin wallet clutch in this post? Well, I'm getting them for my champagne birthday, which is coming up at the end of this week (turning 25 on the 25th!). I already bought the 'Sabrina' in gray as an early present of sorts and have been using and loving it the past month. The clutch is coming soon hopefully.




4. Francis fall 2009 collection. Truly these are clothes that can put a smile on a girl's face! You can see the entire fall collection on Francis's Facebook fan page here. It was so difficult to narrow down my choice to 1 or 2 pieces, but in the end I went with the mixed menswear skirt and sleeveless argyle applique dress. According to the folks at the Francis studio, my order is set to ship sometime this week, so here's hoping it gets to me before or on Friday. I love this feeling of anticipating a special birthday parcel in the mail. :)




5. Greg Laswell. I've been listening to him on repeat since an acquaintance tweeted a link to one of his songs, "Days Go On." Click the player below and have a listen. Enjoy!

18

Translated: La Oreja de Van Gogh

I'm positively obsessed with this song at the moment. You should definitely check out the high-resolution music video for "Dulce Locura" on YouTube (which I can't embed...boo). Oh, and in case you haven't figured it out, the band's name translates to "Van Gogh's Ear."

Dulce Locura ("Sweet Madness")

I sell the inventory of memories of the most beautiful story one can ever hear
I sell the script of the saddest and most beautiful film one can ever see
I sell the chords, the shining melody, the lyrics yet to be composed in life
I sell until the sign announces the moment when life will be lived

I understand that you left, and now I serve my sentence but
don't ask me if I'd want to live

Without your moon, without your sun, without your sweet madness
I become once again small and slight, the night dreams of you and makes a mockery of itself
I want to embrace you and you vanish

I sell a brokedown camera that captured the gaze yet to be recorded
I sell two expired tickets for the second row yet to be torn apart
I sell two seats reserved ages ago and now I fall where in life I sat

I sell until the sign announces the moment when life will be lived
I understand that you left, and now I serve my sentence but
don't ask me if I'd want to live

Without your moon, without your sun, without your sweet madness
I become once again small and slight, the night dreams of you and makes a mockery of itself
I want to embrace you

Without your moon, without your sun, without your sweet madness
Crying like a day of rain my soul takes off and looks for you
on a voyage, a voyage from which it never returns

I'll climb each night to find your moon on my roof
the memory of an embrace that makes me tremble

Without your moon, without your sun, without your sweet madness
I become once again small and slight, the night dreams of you and makes a mockery of itself
I want to embrace you

Without your moon, without your sun, without your sweet madness
Crying like a day of rain my soul takes off and looks for you
on a voyage, a voyage from which it will never return

14

Translated: Bacilos

More than any other time of the year, summer makes me crave Latin music. Something about the sunshine and the warm weather just gladdens my heart and heightens the liveliness of a good beat, making a bittersweet song like "Tabaco y Chanel" a little sweeter, a little less bitter. I hope you enjoy it too!

Tabaco y Chanel ("Tobacco and Chanel")

A scent of tobacco and Chanel
reminds me of the scent of her skin
A mixture of honey and coffee
reminds me of the taste of her kisses
The colour of the end of the night
makes me wonder when it ended
Where are you
This will only live once
When did you stop
Where are you

A scent of tobacco and Chanel
A mixture of honey and coffee
they ask me for her
they ask me for her
They ask me also, the stars
They demand I return for her
Ay, return for her how
Ay, return for her how
Don't forget, don't go
Don't forget, don't go
Don't forget, anything
Don't go, don't forget, don't go
Don't forget, don't go
Don't forget, anything, anything

A rose that didn't blossom
But that time doesn't wither
A flower promised, a love that wasn't
but continues living
And again the colour of the end of the end of the night
makes me wonder when it ended
This will only live once
When did you stop, where are you

A scent of tobacco and Chanel
A mixture of honey and coffee
they ask me for her
they ask me for her
They ask me also, the stars
They demand I return for her
Ay, return for her how
Ay, return for her how

But if they were the same stars that one day
will mark my hands
will remove the flower, this flower of my life
of my life

A scent of tobacco and Chanel
A mixture of honey and coffee
they ask me for her
they ask me for her
They ask me also, the stars
They demand I return for her
Ay, return for her how
Ay, return for her how
Don't forget, don't go
Don't forget, don't go
Don't forget, anything
Don't go, don't forget, don't go
Don't forget, don't go
Don't forget, anything, anything

11

Today's Outfit: Single Girl Swagger

This busy Victoria Day long weekend is kicking off with a night of clubbing as some friends and I get dolled up and go out dancing. Apologies for the lame collage; I'll update this post later with an actual outfit pic later, I promise!

• Two-tone sweetheart mini dress (AA)
• Wedge sandals (Vasanji)
• Wristlet (Coach)
• Blue eyeshadow (worn as winged eyeliner--B cosmetics, London)
  
• Wristlet (Coach)
• Denim jacket (Smart Set)

If you're not Canadian and don't have a long weekend coming up, rejoice anyway because it's Friday! I've been listening to this song by The Veronicas on repeat since it aired on 90210 this week; it's getting me psyched for tonight.

What do you listen to to get you in the mood for a night of dancing/clubbing?

Update: As promised, outfit pics!

17

Translated: Bacilos

Thank you for your wonderful messages and wishes last week! I was in a slump personally and needed some time away from everything; this also happened to coincide with a bad case of blogger's burnout. Unplugging from Twitter, Facebook, blogs, email, and MSN for a couple of days was the best idea ever. I feel so much better.

I've got some good posts coming up this week, but in the meantime, how about some wistful Latin pop to go with your morning coffee? I love song lyrics that tell a story, and this song makes me think of a sailor who missed his chance with the love of his life in a port city.

Viejo ("Old Man")

I can roam the streets all night
only because I know that you're in the city
how do you say it, this song
and yes I saw you and you're not alone
and so it goes
you don't know what I feel...all that I feel

And you, and you...like a November breeze, like the vast sea that carries me
And I know, I know that life doesn't end without you here
but when you're here I live life

I will be returning an old man
Resting from my roaming
I have your lock of hair...between my fingers
but I'm afraid to venture any further
I will be returning an old man
left with no more cards to play
I have to swallow all that I feel, girl
I'm sad but you will never know it

You revive all these old illusions
of living the life that you always dreamed...that you always dreamed
and I don't know what you feel when you are near
When you are near, girl, what I would give
to have more time to play

And you, and you...like a November breeze, like the vast sea that carries me
And I know, I know that life doesn't end without you here
but when you're here I live life

I will be returning an old man
Resting from my roaming
I have your lock of hair...between my fingers
but I'm afraid to venture any further
I will be returning an old man
left with no more cards to play
I have to swallow all that I feel, girl
I'm sad but you will never know it

10

Quoted: Two Bloggers On A Thursday Afternoon

Lisa says:
my gawd, nickelback really blows
Lisa says:
i don't like their music
Lisa says:
and just now when they sang "shoot for the stars" it sounded like "shit for the stars"
Lisa says:
enunciate ppl!!
MizzJ says:
lol!
MizzJ says:
omg and Chad has the WORST hair possible
MizzJ says:
bad enough he used to look like jesus
MizzJ says:
now he just looks like old jesus with a straightener
MizzJ says:
it bugs me alot

-MizzJ and me on MSN

6

Lisa's Most Coveted List

This edition of my Most Coveted List is long overdue! 5 things I'm loving or lusting after right now.

1. NARS Orgasm Blush. Best blush buy ever. Back in January I had a gift certificate for The Bay, and not being in need of clothes, I decided to spend part of the amount on a new blush. (My old Revlon blush had been with me since I was 17. I dropped the compact and the clasp broke; it never closed properly after that. Needless to say, this purchase was way overdue.) The peachy pink shade is universally flattering, and when worn on the apples of your cheeks, looks like a 100% natural glow.



2. My new blog banner! In case you haven't noticed, Solo Lisa is sporting a new, more polished look these days thanks to my friend and graphic design guru Artem.

3. 90s nostalgia. I don't know why, but lately I've been experiencing the worst craving for 90s shows, movies, and music. This Counting Crows playlist on Imeem entertains me while I'm at work with tunes like "Holiday in Spain"--so perfect and full of melancholy yearning. I also re-watched Clueless 5 times in December. If you're feeling the 90s love right now, read Shay's post for a succinct breakdown of what 90s style was all about!

4. Miu Miu pleated apron skirt. I'm ridiculously in love with this swath of fabric on a fastener, thinking of the plethora of layering possibilities it represents. Wear it over a tee and jeans. Layer it on top of a peach cocktail dress at chest level and cinch it with a black patent skinny belt, like the March 2009 issue of Vogue did. Would I pay $880 for this? No. But maybe I could make something like it if I got my hands on some black jersey...



5. Paper flower headdresses from Chanel's SS09 couture show. One word: Wow.

Original images from style.com

18

Lisa's Most Coveted List

5 things I'm loving right now.

1. Evgeni Plushenko skating to "Sex Bomb." Nance in France forwarded this gem to me, and I swear, I have never laughed so hard at a figure skating routine. Oh, and just to clarify, Plushenko is not the fedora-wearing Russian I talked about in this post.

2. Starbucks espresso cups and saucers. They make perfectly adorable makeup brush holders.



3. Yerba Buena's "Sugar Daddy." Any group that can sample Celia Cruz, sing in two languages, and feature John Leguizamo monologues all in one song is tops in my books. In other news, thanks to Mr. Leguizamo, my new 2009 pick-up line will be "I like it sweet an' low too but I'm no artificial sweetener, baby." Now if I can only pull it off with the sort of bravado that he has...

4. Peel Designs. I discovered this local label on the weekend when I ventured up to Main Street and bought the 'Anthology' cardigan in black. Its clean lines and basic yet demure quality make it the perfect layering piece. Now I'm drooling over the sweet, girly designs on Peel's website. Note to self: See if I can arrange an interview with Peel's designer, Megan Berks.



5. WendyB's squirrel necklace. I've been wearing the squirrel layered with a white gold/diamond necklace I received as a gift ages ago and I just can't stop. In fact, I've started working my outfits around the squirrel, wearing as many V-necks and scoop-necks as possible.

Thanks to my friend Felix for snapping this pic! (Click to enlarge)

P.S. This is my 400th post, believe it or not! Time flies when you're having fun in the blogosphere. To all you awesome peeps out there, thanks for taking the time to read what I'm writing. :-)

15

Translated: Reik

I've written about Reik and translated their songs many times already on this blog. (Click here for evidence.) But every time I listen to their music, a different song catches my attention and appeals to whatever mood I'm feeling at the moment.

Blame it on the winter blues, my own virtually non-existent love life, the fact that it's taken me a year and a half to fully move on after my last big break-up, or the fact that a close friend is moving on from a volatile relationship. Whatever it is, this song just spoke to me. Yes, it's Latin pop, but it's curiously unprocessed Latin pop. This raw quality makes the lyrics even sadder--perfect listening for my melancholy moments.

Ahora Sin Ti ("Now Without You")

Today I decided
I'll never think of you again
This feeling you have given me
Is too much for me

I'm here
Recording these moments
Intending to understand why you're not here
And I'm always here
Waiting for that day
Waiting for you to decide to return

It's the taste
It's the taste of your lips
A drug that poisons me and drives me mad
It's the smell
It's the smell of your hair
The aroma of spring which lingers on my skin

I can't forget
The time you loved me
But now that you're not here
I miss you
I love you
You'll never return

I'm here
Sculpting these verses
Discarding the sentiments of my love
And I'm leaving from here
Beginning another life
An emptier life now that you're not in it

It's the taste
It's the taste of your lips
A drug that poisons me and drives me mad
It's the smell
It's the smell of your hair
The aroma of spring which lingers on my skin

Now without you
I have no choice but to let you go

2

Translated: Julieta Venegas/ Eugenia Leon

Out of the 4 films I managed to catch at the Vancouver International Film Festival this year, my favourite was Quemar las Naves, or Burn the Bridges in English. Burn the Bridges tells the story of Helena and Sebastian, siblings stuck in a crumbling colonial mansion caring for their gravely ill and bedridden mother. Their situation is one of precarious harmony until a boy with a rough background transfers to Sebastian's school and Sebastian must deal with his burgeoning homosexuality.

I know this isn't much of a synopsis, but it's hard to sum up the wonderful character-driven drama and smart comedic moments in this film and in the gems of contemporary Mexican cinema in general. For example, how would you describe Y Tu Mama Tambien? A film about two teenage boys on a road trip with an older woman whom they plan to seduce. And Amores Perros? Three love stories which intersect because a car accident in Mexico City touches all of the characters' lives. You see? It's difficult to do without spoiling the movie or turning this blog post into a novella. Just trust me when I say this is an extremely impressive and memorable film.

Equally haunting is the song "Mi Principio" by Eugenia Leon, which echoes the film's title and recurs throughout as a motif for endings and fresh starts. For the movie soundtrack, folksy pop singer Julieta Venegas did a cover of "Mi Principio," adding her own special touch with her smooth vocals and mellow sound. You can listen to Julieta sing and see clips from Quemar Las Naves in the Youtube video below. If this video doesn't pique your curiosity and inspire you to check out more Mexican cinema, I don't know what will.

Want to hear Eugenia belt it out? Check out Senora Leon's version here. Talk about powerhouse vocals!

Anyway, I dedicate this song and my translation of the lyrics to anyone out there seeking to leave bad situations behind and embark on fresh starts.

Mi Principio ("My Beginning")

One day I'm going to go
And I won't ever return
I would prefer the solitude
Than to live without my truth
You'll miss me for sure
Like a city bird
that goes seeking the sea

Because in the end
Even though I was happy here
I must move on, to a place far from here
Don't misunderstand me
It doesn't concern two people
It seems like the end but it's my beginning

One day I'm going to go
And I won't ever return
I would prefer the solitude
Than to live without my truth

Because in the end
Even though I was happy here
I must move on, to a place far from here
Don't misunderstand me
It doesn't concern two people
It seems like the end but it's my beginning
Don't misunderstand me
It doesn't concern two people
It seems like the end but it's my beginning

One day I'm going to go
And I won't ever return
I would prefer the solitude
Than to live without my truth

Without my truth
Without my truth

7

Lisa's Most Coveted List

There's nothing I'm lusting after at the moment because I'm simmering in contentment post-vacation--well, except a pair of skinny/straight-cut jeans perhaps. Here are the things I love right now.

1. My two-tone T-strap heels. Part of Next's Sole Reviver line, I found these shoes in London for a scant 30 pounds and they have proven to be the most comfortable pair of heels I've ever owned. I love the soft leather, non-slip flexible sole, and super-cushy footbed. Also, any salsa dancer will tell you that ankle and T-straps go a long way in making heels comfortable by strapping your feet firmly in place and preventing sliding and friction, so part of the comfort factor can be attributed to the shoe's style. I've been wearing these shoes with thin black socks and jeans lately. On Friday, I wore them for 13 hours--through work, dinner, a movie, treks to and from the Skytrain and bus stops in the rain--and at the end of the day I didn't feel any pain or discomfort. For a girl who's used to wearing flats or very low heels, wearing a 2.5" heel for that long and not suffering is unheard of.



2. Uniqlo's Heat Tech camisoles in beige. Another serendipitous London find, I'd bought a sheer black cotton top with a lacy collar at Next and was wondering what on earth I could wear underneath when I stumbled upon these miraculous camis at Uniqlo. The packaging claims that Heat Tech garments use a special fabric blend which retains heat better than cotton while softening the wearer's skin. I'm rather skeptical of the latter claim, but I am impressed by how soft and thin the camis are. They're the perfect underpinning for sheer tops--totally opaque but skin-coloured and thin enough to tuck into jeans. I'm in love.

3. "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay. The lyrics remind me of Versailles and Louis XVI at some points and remain an enigma at others.

4. Giant Starbucks coffee mugs. Seriously, how great is it to drink piping hot tea or coffee from a mug the size of a small flower pot? The caffeine content and the warmth are enough to perk you up on even the most gloomy of afternoons.

5. Text messages. I've been getting quite a few lately that bring a silly grin to my face.

9

Translated: Reik

I've listened to this song so many times I've lost count, but it was only recently that the Spanish words clicked in my head and I suddenly understood the lovelorn lyrics that Reik was singing. What I heard made the incurable romantic in me grin like an idiot, so I thought I'd share these sweet and sappy words with you. Cue the collective "Aww" moment.

Que Vida La Mia ("What A Life, This Life of Mine")

I wake up in the morning, to see you pass by,
and I'll have you in my mind for the rest of the day
what a life, this life of mine
I still don't know your name and now you're in control of me
and I spend all day imagining your smile...
what a life, this life of mine
I don't know what to do to be the air around you
and caress your skin...
I only want to talk, I only want to get to know you
give me a bit of your time to convince you
I only want to be your friend, and I'm dying to go out with you
give me a signal, just give me a glance
if you're at my side, nothing else matters
now I want to be in your arms, and I'm dying to
taste your lips, so red, full of you...
just say yes to me...

I stay awake at nights thinking of you
and if I sleep I dream only of having your caresses
what a life, this life of mine...
I have all this love and it's only for you
and I'm only satisfied seeing you another day
what a life, this life of mine...
I don't know what to do to be the air around you
and caress your skin...

I only want to talk, I only want to get to know you
give me a bit of your time to convince you
I only want to be your friend, and I'm dying to go out with you
give me a signal, just give me a glance
if you're at my side, nothing else matters
now I want to be in your arms, and I'm dying to
taste your lips, so red, full of you...
just say yes to me...

0

Viva La Musica

I was tagged by lovely blogger WendyB to list the last 25 songs I listened to on my iPod. Normally I'll skip between music websites and Internet radio stations while I'm at work and listen to whatever strikes my fancy, but I made an exception today: I set my iPod on shuffle and kept those little white earbuds in for a couple of hours while restructuring end-user content at my desk. (I did skip through songs I didn't want to listen to, though.) I don't know what this list really says about me except that I like pop, Latin pop, soundtracks, and good dance beats.

1. Gladiadores - Orishas
2. Somebody Told Me - The Killers
3. My Way Out - David Usher
4. Change Your Mind - The Killers
5. SexyBack - Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland
6. Rosario Tijeras - Juanes
7. I'll Be - Edwin McCain
8. The Suicide of Dorothy Hale - Eliot Goldenthal
9. El fin de la infancia - Cafe Tacuba
10. Nostalgia - Oscar Lopez
11. I've Got You Under My Skin - Michael Buble
12. Si No Te Hubieras Ido - Marco Antonio Solis
13. Ay Chico - Pitbull
14. La Vida Es Un Ratico - Juanes
15. Live to Tell - Madonna
16. Ain't No Other Man - Christina Aguilera
17. Feeling Good - Michael Buble
18. La Tortura - Shakira feat. Alejandro Sanz
19. Self-Portrait with Hair Down - Eliot Goldenthal
20. Ending Start - Metric
21. Istanbul - They Might Be Giants
22. Hands Tied - Mobile
23. How Are You - David Usher
24. Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado
25. Can I Walk By - Jazze Pha feat. Monica

I tag Anthea, Trisch, Teresa, and Ambika to list their songs.

P.S. I'm actually really psyched about this tag. Uber Mensh blogger WendyB tagged me!

Update: According to Blogger, this was my 300th post. Phew!

3

Lisa's Most Coveted List

5 things I'm loving or lusting after right now.

1. "Jebus" and "boo urns." I may be an English lit major, but where would my everyday vocabulary be without these two expressive gems spawned by The Simpsons? They're on urbandictionary.com right now; someday, though, I'm sure they'll join "d'oh" in the OED and become official words/expressions in the English language.

2. Alice + Olivia two toned belted sweater coat, $440. I've obsessed over sweater coats time and time again, but I do believe this one by Alice + Olivia takes the cake. Too bad about the price tag. Not only is it too expensive for me, I can't justify spending so much on an item that I know will pill with regular wear.



3. James Franco. Tortured artist? Please--I'll take a cute guy with a sense of humour over a sensitive suffering soul any day. I know James Franco from the Spiderman movies and his critically acclaimed portrayal of James Dean, yet it took the pothead antics of Pineapple Express to put him solidly in my good books.



4. "Wow" by Orlando Conga. I first heard this merengue track at one of the Sunday afternoon salsa socials and the darn song got stuck in my head. Warning: may cause uncontrollable swaying of hips and tapping of feet.

5. Fairy Tales Are True feather skimmer, $38. Jebus, these shoes make me want to say "boo urns"--in a good way.

4

Translated: Reik

I was saving this post for a bleak winter day, but the rain in the music video reminds me of what Vancouver looks like right now. Yes, my last week of summer sunshine has been rained out. And I have a sore throat and cough that won't quit.

Invierno ("Winter")

It rains outside, it rains still more
The city is deserted
Meanwhile you and I take refuge in eternity
I don't feel cold near you
Inside of me shines the sun

The sky falls and I don't care
We have our world
The sky is always blue when we're together
Nothing else matters
That here it'll forever be
Winter

So much noise, so much loneliness
People who run without stopping
Behind the door this universe of infinite peace
I need the calm that you give me

The sky falls and I don't care
We have our world
The sky is always blue when we're together
Nothing else matters

except what you give me

Clouds, wind, fear, rain
Gray nights without a moon
Another winter of darkness
You kiss me, you cure me
Your warmth and your tenderness
don't let it enter

Winter, winter, winter

The sky falls and I don't care
We have our world
The sky is always blue when we're together
Nothing else matters
That here it'll forever be
Winter

The sky falls and I don't care
The day is always blue
The sky falls and I don't care
We have our world

1

Lisa's Most Coveted List

You know the drill! 5 things I'm loving or lusting after right now.

1. Reik's Secuencia album. Reik's sentimental pop rock en espanol makes me absurdly happy when I'm at work.

2. 'Scent of summer' tunic, $45.99. Purple? Check. Pleated chiffon? Check. Demure floral details? Check. I can't stop envisioning this top with my dark denim circle skirt.



3. Frying pan-da, $34.99. Grilled cheese sandwiches taste a wee bit better when your adorable frying pan is smiling back at you. Along with the Hello Kitty toaster, the panda frying pan might actually turn me into a breakfast person.



4. Gold and blue multi-flower hoops, $25.89. Oversized gold hoops are usually associated with a ghetto fabulous vibe, but these earrings transcend any association with hip-hop music video style. Sweet blossoms and gem and enamel details make these the accessory of choice for swishy summer skirts.



5. Colin Firth. BBC miniseries fans swear that Firth is the definitive Darcy. For me, his appeal lies in his ability to convey straitlaced British breeding while cutting loose in hilarious ways. My love for him was renewed while watching him rock out in a black tee and leather pants in What a Girl Wants (hey, it was on TV and there was nothing else on!). And who can forget the sissy fight sequences in Bridget Jones? I can't wait to see him belt out ABBA songs in Mamma Mia!

Update: I've just discovered that track 6 in the embedded playlist above skips. If you want to listen to "Invierno" (and trust me, it's worth a listen!), watch the video below.

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Translated: Belanova

A while ago, The Clothes Horse did a wonderful blog post where she pondered what the colour pink represents to herself as well as society at large. I left a less-than-articulate comment in response, but her blog post did remind me of something else entirely: the equally wonderful song "Rosa Pastel" by Belanova.

This song is on regular rotation at work as I fix index entries and edit release notes. The simple melody drew me in initially, but after a couple of listens I could discern the lyrics a bit better and was drawn to the melancholy yet sugar-sweet vocals of Denisse Guerrero. In fact, after watching the music video, I think I might have a bit of a girl crush on Guerrero. As the super-stylish and charismatic lead singer for an all-guy group, she's a bit like the Mexican synth-pop version of Gwen Stefani.

The video:

Rosa Pastel ("Pastel Pink")

If I would like to be this woman
the mother of your children
and walk together toward the altar
direct towards death
and at the end not speak
we destroyed the two
and to that end
you and I now don't exist

No, I don't want to be this woman
she was at the abyss
and you
you're not what you promised
you'd be my superhero, and
everything ends, there's nothing left,
we'll be two strangers, I
will forget you, you'll forget me
Good riddance

And where I left, this button
that leads to happiness
honeymoon, pastel pink
cliches and stupid things
and at the end not speak
we destroyed the two
and to that end
you and I now don't exist

No, I don't want to be this woman
she was at the abyss
and you
you're not what you promised
you'd be my superhero, and
everything ends, there's nothing left,
we'll be two strangers, I
will forget you, you'll forget me
Good riddance

Update: I've discovered where Guerrero's impeccable sense of style comes from. Before she joined Belanova, she honed her artistic eye as a fashion design student, according to Wikipedia.

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Translated: Reik

My latest Latin pop obsession is Reik, a guitar-driven Mexican pop group from Baja California. I love their soulful vocals, simple melodies, and the sound of their strumming. I could go on ad nauseum about their music and I'm having trouble deciding which song I should translate. At first I was really attracted to "Invierno," but "Invierno" means "winter," and a cursory skim-through of the Spanish lyrics indicated it wasn't the best song for summer since it's about a happy couple taking refuge from winter inside their inviting home. So instead I decided to translate one of their smash hits, "Levemente." Enjoy!

If you want to listen to the song, click here.

Levemente ("Slowly")

I intend to resolve the mystery of your goodbye
You have no alibi, you have no word, you have no heart
A fog of sadness clouds my vision
I have passed on the threshold of pain
Your absence is the longest winter I've lived
The lament and the memories have not left

Slowly each time that the wind blows I breathe you
Under the mantle of night I hallucinate you

I miss your faded fragrance
Since then time has dried it up, no no no
My heart is not a flower; it radiates pain
Your silence was the saddest conversation I've had
I don't know how much time has elapsed since then, no no no

Slowly each time that the wind blows I breathe you
Under the mantle of night I hallucinate you

Slowly each time that the wind blows I breathe you
Under the mantle of night I hallucinate you

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