Brian's Song: Land of Confusion

An excerpt taken from Marie's Song(s): Battle Music: "And don't worry, Brian will be back with his usual selection of genres next week."

The only thing I have to say is simply this: Ouch! :(

Now moving on...

I have only one rule when it come to bands doing cover songs: IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO A COVER SONG, PLEASE DO IT WELL.

When I first heard that Disturbed was doing a cover of Genesis' "Land Of Confusion" I was at first a little nervous, but after hearing it, I realized there was nothing worry about. I think they did a great job with the song, it sounds just like the original except that they gave it that rockin sound that sounds oh so good to my ears.

Naturally Marie hates it, but it's not so much the band she hates as much the me blaring the song on my stereo and the eventual knocks on my walls from angry neighbors.

So for this week I spotlight "Land Of Confusion" by Disturbed as this week's Brian's Song.

"Land Of Confusion"
By: Disturbed

I must have dreamed a thousand dreams
Been haunted by a million screams
But I can hear the marching feet
They're moving into the street

Now, did you read the news today?
They say the danger has gone away
But I can see the fire's still alight
They're burning into the night

There's too many men, too many people
Making too many problems
And there's not much love to go around
Can't you see this is a land of confusion?

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we're given
Use them and let's start trying
To make it a place worth living in

Oh, superman, where are you now?
When everything's gone wrong somehow?
The men of steel, these men of power
Are losing control by the hour

This is the time, this is the place
So we look for the future
But there's not much love to go around
Tell me why this is a land of confusion

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we're given
Use them and let's start trying
To make it a place worth living in

I remember long ago
When the sun was shining
And all the stars were bright all through the night
In the wake of this madness, as I held you tight
So long ago

I won't be coming home tonight
My generation will put it right
We're not just making promises
That we know we'll never keep

There's too many men, too many people
Making too many problems
And there's not much love to go round
Can't you see this is a land of confusion?

Now, this is the world we live in
And these are the hands we're given
Use them and let's start trying
To make it a place worth fighting for

This is the world we live in
And these are the names we're given
Stand up and let's start showing
Just where our lives are going to...


Like what you read, want to know more? Then click the link and learn about Disturbed: http://www.disturbed1.com/.


"Land Of Confusion" is the off of "Ten Thousand Fists" which is available at music stores everywhere.


Got an idea for a future "Brian's Song", then hit us up and let us know, there's nothing fun and more truer than just sharing some kick ass tunes with the world.

Until Next Time,

-Brian

Soundboard: "A Damn Good Week" (Part 2)

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Emile dressed as "Black Trigun meets a cat"

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Emile pondering the benefits of the almighty Shroom..

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Sooo Cute, it's crazy!!!

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What is with my group of friends and thier weakness of redheads????

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We saw a girl with huge boobs, Emile had to jump her but it was a guy!

Soundboard: "A Damn Good Week"

So it's been a great week here at TBF, Marie took over and naturally blew everyone away with her hard hitting take on Hollywood and the people have spoken, they loved it!!

So I'm kinda hoping to use this as a way of encouraging Marie to be more vocal at TBF and hopefully to convince her to do future installments of Columns and Songs and such.


After all the excitement with Marie, that leaves the question...

"What the hell have I been doing in my time off???"

Well to answer that.. I've mainly been working, going to the movies, hanging out with people ( I know, it surprised me too), I'm also doing research for TBF next week, which yes, I am returning this coming Friday. But for this weekend I'm topping off my weekend with a trip to the annual Fanime Convention and I gotta tell you, it's a fuckin trip over there... and to show you what I mean, I took some pics, check them out:

See Y'all next week...

-B

Echoes: Hollywood

Comment from Brian:

The other night I was wathcing Casablanca on TV and after I read this I realized that one paticular issue I have with Hollywood, is the need to measure one's ability squarely on looks. I know that if (God forbid) they ever decided to remake Casablanca, They'd have forskae charm and talent and hire someone like Lindsay Lohan and Ashton Kutcher for the leads, and because they're already desacrating it, they might as well to finsih it off by casting Dave Chapelle to be Sam. So now everytime you want him to play a song, he'll throw in a quick liner... But I digress.

If you compare Hollywood to day with Hollywood 50 years ago, you'd see without question how talent is forsaken for visual appeal. Hollywood is crap, the idea of Hollywood as we knew it from it's legends and it's repect and honor is nothing more but a memory... what we have now... I couldn't even call it a shell of it's former glory because then it would imply that Hollywood now HAS some connection to what once was.

Hollywood has always been about looks. (With the exceptions of Jerry Lewis and Steve Buscemi, perhaps, but we've given Lewis to the French and Buscemi is a very talented actor, so he's cool.) And unfortunately The Industry has a significant amount of power in shaping our perceptions of people and life. We sublimate film and advertising's definitions of health, beauty, power, and success, and few people in real life can measure up to those standards.

But, thankfully, when we consciously think about the discrepancies between what we see on TV we can accept knowing and dating the "regular-looking" people like us. After all, if we all refused to hook up with anyone who couldn't fit in on some red carpet, the American population would be dwindling down to practically nothing (well, Brangelina's fifty million adoptees notwithstanding).

All the same, it's still something of a shock when I watch local TV commercials. I think, "Wow, that person is ugly!" and then have to try to view the person the way I would if I ran into them on the street. Most often, I'd think many of them were reasonably good-looking if I saw them down on Pacific Ave. Media really distorts your perception, but (for me at least) the high standards of appearance that Hollywood creates only apply to what I see on a screen.

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IDK why ur so hard on famous people, they help make the world a little brightr. all this war is sooo bad, y'know and Ashton is totally hot!! (yum)

laters

xxxStacyxxx

You are definitely right. God knows I've changed the channel over from MSNBC News to laugh over E!'s The Simple Life.

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A Comment Submitted by Harlean Carpenter Re: "TMF: Hollywood":

It's been said that the need for sleep has as much to do with the physically restorative properties of the process as it does with the mind's need for a break from reality; that is, the time to dream. In dreams we give the subconscious the time to sort out the events of the day, to tackle the challenges our conscious minds may not even be aware that we are facing, to square things away in the cellars of our souls, the dark places we can be so hesitant to even acknowledge, much less face, challenge and resolve.

It seems to me that the Hollywood Obsession is a similar process. The very fact that we can't relate to these people in any real way only enhances their appeal, allows us to view them as though they aren't real at all, and creates about them the dreamlike quality that is so necessary to the human mind. Horrific events occur every day. People are murdered and raped and tortured, cities collapse beneath earthquakes and floods, children are starved and beaten, the list goes on until one can't bear to read it any longer and one turns away, for just a moment, a break from the ugliness of unmitigated reality. My personal escape is in my poetry, to try and create perhaps one beautiful drop in a sea of ugliness before I have to swim in it again. Everyone needs an escape route when life gets to be more than they can handle, and for some it is to be found in the lives of people who have made careers of imitating life, through music and movies and books and paintings and whatever they choose to create. The works themselves may touch too close on the reality that one is trying to escape in the first place to be satisfactory for that process, but the lives of the creators of those works are still unreal, if only because they have become so sensationalized that one can't really take them seriously.

I'm definitely with Marie as far as not feeling this particular hobby, but I think I can understand from whence it came.

-HC

Very elegantly put. There's nothing I have to add to what you've written. Thank you very much for your input!

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All right, that's it for tonight. Thanks for reading!

Soundboard

"Major Announcement!!!"

So any regular readers or for that matter just anyone who's familiar with TBF is no doubt familiar with one of our friends of the factor, Harlean Carpenter and as is seems... now, so is the rest of the world!!!

I am Proud to report that Harlean Carpenter's page "Poeticpinup.com" is currently in the top five for searches for "Harlean Carpenter" on Google!!!

( all other sites happen to revolve around stage legend Jean Harlow, whose birth name actually is Harlean Carpenter... freaky!)

But don't think that we're done yet... because of all her contributions with TBF (which we always appreciate) we've been designated as #8 on searches for "Harlean Carpenter"

So in a couple weeks, I'm offically proclaiming it to be:

"Harlean Carpenter Appreciation.. bi-week"

... I really got to work on a better name for this.

So once again, Congratulations to Harlean!! and don't forget to keep showing your love :

www.poeticpinup.com

Until Next Time,
-B

Marie's Song(s): Battle Music

Today you are all lucky boys and girls. I've got three songs for you! Looking through my playlists, I happened upon one of my favorites: Villainy. (And I just realized now that the three songs I chose are all from film or tv show soundtracks, which fits in with this week's theme.)

You can download all three songs in one handy zip file here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AVSWR6WV

The first song is the fourth track from one of my favorite martial arts films Duelist (Hyeongsa in its original language). The song is called "병판의 생일잔치" and I have no idea how it's pronounced. An online translator translated the song's title as "Birthday party of bottle petal," but we know how unreliable those things are. It's probably my favorite song from the soundtrack, though the rest of it is pretty kick-ass too.

Second is "Prelude to War," from the Battlestar Galactica season one soundtrack. I've never seen the show, but when I heard another song by the composer, I checked out the soundtrack. This piece is traditionally military, with an emphasis on drums. Then the string instruments kick in, and the awesomeness value increases ten-fold. If you've ever seen "The Fog of War," parts of this song really remind of the music from that film.

The last one is "To Victory" from the fantastic movie 300. Again, lots of drums, but this one also has some vocals. No lyrics I can understand, though, so it's still cool rather than corny.

These are three songs that I crank up the volume to on my πPod to get in the mood to kick ass. (Not literally, but perhaps one of these days some soldier of fortune will get in my face on my way to the dining hall, and I'll leave him in a steaming and twitching heap. :)

Anyway, I hope you download and give 'em a listen and let me know what you guys think. And don't worry, Brian will be back with his usual selection of genres next week.

TBF: Hollywood

Naked and Famous
by The Presidents of the United States of America

I can't explain glacial motion
Or why Los Angeles don't drop into the ocean
I can't unfold the layers of mystery
Or piece together the tragedy of history
'Cuz those lucky suckers they don't have to work
Big 3D billboards and big 30-foot Smurfs
And everybody wants to be naked and famous
Everybody wants to be just like me I'm naked and famous

I met a poet said she didn't like the smell of it
Then took her clothes off in a restaurant for the hell of it
I met a DJ who lived in seclusion
Reality and sobriety were her only delusions

And those lucky bastards they don't have to work
Big 3D billboards and big 30-foot Smurfs
And everybody wants to be naked and famous
Everybody wants to be just like me I'm naked and famous

Well don't get a nosebleed, don't get upset
We can't be naked and famous just yet
There's a big gold dollar sign on the Sunset Strip
And you can send your friend a postcard it ain't worth the trip

Everybody wants to be naked and famous
Everybody wants to be just like me I'm naked
Everybody wants to be naked and famous
Everybody wants to be just like me I'm naked
Everybody wants to be naked and famous
Everybody wants to be just like me I'm naked

Everybody wants to be naked and famous
Everybody wants to be just like me I'm naked and famous

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So, it's my turn at the wheel this week. Let's talk Hollywood.

I don't particularly want to talk about Hollywood, but let's talk about it anyway.

Why do we like celebrities? What is lacking in our lives that makes us stalk disreputable publications for updates about the lives of Brangelina and TomKat?

Personally, I couldn't care less about the antics of the Hollywood elite. To quote Andy Warhol, "Everybody's plastic."¹ But, unlike Andy, I do not like plastic nor do I want to be plastic. It's non-biodegradable and bad for the environment. And like those plastic rings that hold beer cans together, celebrities never go away on their own and are responsible for killing baby seals.²

I feel a mixture of contempt and pity for famous people. Contempt because they feel that they are muy importante. I'm not an Earthologist, but I suspect that the world would not stop turning if all the Lindsay Lohans and R. Kellys suddenly faded into obscurity. So much time, money, and energy is devoted to keeping tabs on the rich and famous. Too much, I think. I didn't need an E! Breaking News Flash the moment Britney shaved her head and went zonkers. CNN had no dire cause to dissect Anna Nicole's death for three weeks. There are much more worthwhile things to report, that we never hear about because one of the Friends people failed at another relationship.

A large part of this fanatical photography is due to our fascination. After all, if we weren't interested in Paris Hilton's latest drunken crotch-shot, these cameramen and -women would be out documenting genocide and war atrocities and real trainwrecks (instead of the Courtney Love Express).

My mention of the paparazzi brings me to my next point: I feel sorry for people who are famous. Whether it was their conscious decision to leap into the media's attention or not, a large part of their lives now belong to the public. They can't just run to the grocery store in sweats on a Saturday afternoon; they'll be printed on the front page of a tabloid under a headline of "No makeup! Look how old she is!" (Or something to that effect.) Just imagine the stress. Is it any wonder why so few celebrity relationships last more than a few months? People are dying to see Brad get trashed and nail the babysitter and watch the Brangelina marriage crash and burn like the Hindenburg.

Which brings me back to the question: what is lacking in our own lives that we feel like we must live vicariously through the renowned and filthy rich? Is it just that we love those rags-to-riches dream fulfillment stories and revel in vindictive pleasure when someone who's had an easy life suddenly falls from grace? We shouldn't be so desperate for entertainment that we wait for celebrities' lives to fall to pieces just so we can feel superior.

These people aren't any better than us. (Sure, Lindsey Lohan is richer than I'll ever be, but I've never had eating disorders or took up binge drinking and coke as a hobby.) So why do we put them up on a pedestal? For the most part, they are actors and models whose main contributions to society are entertainment and the socially required endorsement of a "cause" every couple of years. There are certainly doctors and inventors and theorists who make much more important and enduring contributions to our lives. Why not transfer your idolatry from the undeserving prom queens to the inspiring professors? The members of the Hollywood caste's daily lives are so far removed from our own reality; hell, do you think that Jessica Simpson has to do mundane things like memorize the bus schedule? I do. So who exactly am I supposed to relate to?

Yet film and relevision stars somehow become authorities in fields like politics and economics. ("Hey Ashton! Which democratic presidential nominee do you think has the concerns of the impoverished elderly at the top of his agenda?") When Katrina hit, how many of those famous participants in that concert for the victims truly dwelled upon the massive amount of devastation and the thousands of destroyed lives? Events like that really weed out what I consider the worthy to be famous from the worthless; you figure out who is genuine in their relations to the real world (not MTV's version) and try to give back to their fans. Unfortunately, the film industry is not a meritocracy, and thus does not allow only the deserving to climb to the top.

So, I guess what my opinion comes down to is this: if you want to admire famous people and obsess over their lives, go ahead. I personally don't have much respect for that particular hobby. But just consider why people are famous and ask yourself if they are deserving of the money you spend buying movie tickets, CDs, and magazines.

¹ “I love Los Angeles. I love Hollywood. They're beautiful. Everybody's plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic.” - Andy Warhol

² On a whim, I Googled " 'baby seal' celebrity kill" and got several hits, to my surprise. Therefore, my offhand jokey analogy has a basis of truth. What is this world coming to?

Brian's Song: Firestarter

Well I know that this week is suppose to be all about Marie, but she's feeling a little under the weather this week, she still plans to present "The Marie Factor" but she just didn't have the strenght to put a song together, so I came in as a shining knight in Black Armor... To save the day!!!

I wanted to pick out a great song but one that also could help me to best describe Marie... Unfortunately I already used "Closer" so I think this will do just fine...

So for this week I spotlight "Firestarter" By Prodigy as this week's Brian's Song.

"Firestarter"
By Prodigy

I'm the trouble starter, fuckin' instigator.
I'm the fear addicted, danger illustrated.

I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter.
You're the firestarter, twisted firestarter.
I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter.

I'm the bitch you hated, filth infatuated.
Yeah.
I'm the pain you tasted, fell intoxicated.

I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter.
You're the firestarter, twisted firestarter.

I'm the self inflicted, mind detonator.
Yeah.
I'm the one infected, twisted animator.

I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter.
You're the firestarter, twisted firestarter.
I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter... starter... starter...
Starter...


Like what you read, want to know more? Then click the link and learn about Prodigy http://www.theprodigy.com/



"Firestarter" is the off of "The Fat Of The Land" which is available at music stores everywhere.

Don't Forget that this Friday will be a special presentation of "The Marie Factor", so mark it down on your calendars and check it out, let's show our support as Marie takes it to.. uh whatever she tackles this week.

Got an idea for a future "Brian's Song", then hit us up and let us know, there's nothing fun and more truer than just sharing some kick ass tunes with the world.

Until Next Time,

-Brian

New Friend of the Factor

Fitting with next week's Factor theme, The Gossip Fix has affiliated with The Brian Factor! So give them a few more clicks on their visitor counter, and check it out. (There is a totally worthwhile pic of Lindsay Lohan on the latest post.)

Welcome to TBF family!

A Special Message And A Special Announcement

There is no Echoes this week cause well..there were no submissons, But really I'm not even hurt about it, I mean c'mon, I didn't give a topic last week, I was just expressing... contentment (if that really is a word.)

Besides, I'm really looking foward to next week, but I'm getting ahead of myself.. So if my lovely and multi-talented super editor Miss Marie would join me up here on my brand new podium for a minute...

I mainly bought this because it turns out that a "high horse" costs too much.. HA HA HA...

Sorry, Anyway...

Marie,

You've stood by me this last year and you've supported me and you believed in me when many don't (that or they just don't say it.) I want you to know that I've never forgotten how much you put up with to work with me and not just as a second in command, I mean in reality you are more than that..

You're my partner, You're one of my best friends, and hell.. for a month, you were even my wife... And that was a month I'll never forget!

I mean I still got the videotape.. Anyway...

So I just want to say THANK YOU MARIE!!!

And as a way of saying thank you, for the next two weeks may it be declared throughout the land of TBF:

MARIE APPRECIATION WEEK..S

That means the next two weeks belong to Marie, we're talking

-"Marie's Song(s)"
-"Marie Soundboard(s)"
-and next Friday... "THE MARIE FACTOR"

and the Friday after that
-"MARIE'S ECHOES"

So as of right now, I hand all powers to Marie and say simply this:

"Give from your heart and the world will notice..."

So in closing, Thank You Marie.... uh... wow, I forgot your full name...

Anyway, So Thank You Marie and Good Luck!!

-Brian

[Marie: You're welcome. Donation collection baskets are by the door. I accept USD, Yen, Euro, MasterCard and Visa.

Oh. And I want those tapes, by the way.

:) ]

Marie's Song

I'm lying here sick in bed, and I think to myself, "Hey, I may as well post one of my favorite songs on TBF." This Brian's Song is gonna be a little different- mainly because I am not Brian and I am a "little different."

So, here are two songs. And just because all those lessons in sharing from kindergarten have stuck (you guys need a refresher course on that subject, RIAA), I'm providing links for you all to download and sample for yourselves. (I would love hearing your feedback, by the way!)

Today's Marie's Song is a two parter. Why? Because I couldn't decide which one to promote first in this groundbreaking new TBF/Brian's Song/Marie's Song. And, just as consensual polyamory is more fun than vanilla het sex, two snogs are better than one. So away we go....

First off, I present to you my absolute favorite piece composed by Nobuo Uematsu, the genius who had composed the music for all the good Final Fantasy games (X-2 is excluded for obvious reasons). Final Fantasy X's Ending Theme! (Can I get a "what what" Emile?) Ending Theme

While your downloading bar is occupied, let me enlighten you with the lyrics:

Final Fantasy X Ending Theme Lyrics:

....

There are none. Wrap your minds around that, my iPod-person friends! Sit back, clear your mind, and enjoy the sound of a symphony performing an awesome instrumental piece. (It's the most played song in my iTunes with 122 plays.)

Now onto song number two.

If instrumental music hasn't scared you off, prepare for my next challenge: opera! "Diva" is an aria I picked up off of a music rotation community and fell in love with. It is from the first soundtrack for the anime Blood+, and was composed by Mark Mancina. Sadly, I haven't been able to find any information on the vocalist. Diva

The violins at the beginning of this piece are amazing, but the singing blows them away. It is incredible how high the singer's voice goes. And her voice blends the notes together really well- without that annoying vibrato that sadly seems so popular.

So that's my first attempt at broadening the genre of music that has thus far been promoted on TBF. Don't get me wrong; I am quite fond of Breaking Benjamin, Rammstein, Rage, etc. etc. Just trying to add a little variety here.

And I already have another song in mind for the next Marie's Song I'll be writing. So be prepared for a drastic change from highbrow neo-classicism to remixes with bizzare lyrics. (Hint: "That boy needs therapy".)

Anyway, time for me to pass out. My body is aching, there's a pus pocket on my left tonsil, and my head is throbbing like a bitch. (I'm definitely sleeping through tomorrow's morning class again.) I'd love to hear what you think about these two songs, so comments are welcome. And if you really hate tonight's selection that much, I promise I'll make an effort next time to cater to your narrow-minded musical tastes.

(For those of you who appreciate puns, I thought my "snog" pun was pretty damn awesome. For those of you who hate puns, I am deeply ashamed of myself. I can waffle just as well as the most poll-sensitive politician.)

In the words of George Carlin, "Toodle-oo, go with God, and don't take any wooden nickels."

Poll Results

How do you feel about political correctness?

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How will you raise your kids?

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What did you think when you saw the pics of Brian and Emile at Fanime 2007?

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What do you think of Hollywood?

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After reading Brian's stats, would you consider him a dream date?

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Your Thoughts on Evolution

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How do you feel about PC?

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What fashion subculture do you belong to?

Note from the Editor: Blog improvements

Hey all! Just giving you a heads-up about some changes I've been making to TBF blog.

Google took over Blogger several months ago, and now there is a new feature: tags!

I've added tags to the posts. So far, there is "TBF" (for TBF columns), "Echoes" (for Echoes), "Brian's song" (for Brian's Song entries, "Harlean's Song" ('cuz she's done a few), "Advice" (for those couple advice columns Brian did a while ago), "About Brian" (for the stuff he's written about himself and his life), "ABT" (for those posts that mention A Beautiful Tragedy), "Soundboards", and "Challenge" (in case Bri decides to do another challenge after the feminism topic). And, also, "Editor's Note" for this type of stuff.

The tags should show up at the end of each post. I've added links for most tag searches on the side bar.

There is now an entry with pics of past TBF poll results. The post's link is under the current poll, and will be updated whenever a new poll is posted.

Harlean's Song: Back to Freedom

So this week I have one of the greatest songs EVER WRITTEN!!!

But, Harlean asked to present another song and I gave my ok. So I'm about to turn over all control to Harlean. And as for me, well, Marie and I are going to chill out and watch some movies. I think we're watching kung fu movies this week.... hey Marie
what are we watching this week??

[Marie: Something with a lot of action, heart-wrenching and sappy love scenes, and every major character dying at the end. What other kinds of martial arts flicks are there? (Well, besides any of Jackie Chan's. Except for The Myth.)]

Cool, as long as it isn't chick flicks then I'm happy!! Now, here's Harlean:

You hear a song at random and think to yourself, hmm, that's intriguing. You hear it again and think to yourself, yes, I like that and would like to hear more. You buy the CD. You replay the song that caused you to buy the CD and realize that you do
indeed like it as much as you thought you did, and begin exploring the rest of the songs on it. You then hear something that renders your brain capable of thinking little more than... Oh... My... God...

And so it was with the CD Public Record by Rachel Sage, Track 6, "Back To Freedom".

I submit to you now "Back To Freedom" by Rachel Sage as this week's Harlean's Song.


"Back To Freedom"

What color are your eyes?
I must not really be in love
what color is your hair?
I can't exactly remember
how ruddy are your ruby lips?
I must not really be in love
how dangerous is your cruelest kiss?
I wish I knew the answer

'cause I am paralyzed and I can't see
and I suspect that I'll be the last to know
this woman who's in front of me
and how it feels to melt like snow

what whispering's inside my ear?
I must not really be in love
what poetry was written there?
I can't exactly remember
how beautiful is your beauty mark
and where exactly was it placed
how dangerous is your touch?
I wish I knew the answer

'cause I am paralyzed and I can't see
and I suspect that I'll be the last to know
this woman who's in front of me
and how it feels to melt like snow

save me from this angel spider
poison like the smoothest opium
let me see
see inside her
without losing my way back to freedom

I don't exactly remember

what color are your eyes?
I must not really be in love
what color is your hair?
I can't exactly remember
how it feels to melt like snow
like snow
like snow...


Like what you read, want to know more? Then click the link and learn about Rachel Sage: http://www.rachelsage.com/index.html

"Back To Freedom" is the off of "Public Record," now available at music stores everywhere.

Got an idea for a future "Brian's Song", then hit us up and let us know. There's nothing fun and more truer than just sharing some kick ass tunes with the world.

And once again thanks so much to Harlean Carpenter for sharing with us this week and if you want to learn more about Harlean check her out at her website: Poetic Pinup.

Until Next Time Kiddies,

- Brian and Harlean

TBF: Game On

"I Don't Wanna Stop"
By Ozzy Osbourne

I don't know what they're talking about,
I'm making my own decisions.
This thing that I found,
Ain't gonna bring me down,
I'm like a junkie without an addiction.

Mama don't cry,
I just wanna say hi,
Like playing with danger or fear.
Everybody's walking but nobody's talking,
It looks a lot better from here.

All my life I've been over the top
I don't know what I'm doing,
All I know is I don't wanna stop.

All fired up, I'm gonna go to the top
I'm as real as the world will make me,
I don't wanna stop.

Why don't they ever listen to me?
Is this a one-way conversation?
Nothing they say is gonna set me free,
Don't need to make no reservations.

To make me religious for only one god,
I don't need another saviour.
Don't try to change my mind,
You know I'm one of a kind,
Ain't gonna change my bad behaviour.

All my life I've been over the top
I don't know what I'm doing,
All I know is I don't wanna stop.

All fired up, I'm gonna go to the top.
I'm as real as the world will make me,
I don't wanna stop.

All my life I've been over the top.
I don't know what I'm doing,
All I know is I don't wanna stop.

All fired up, I'm gonna go to the top.
I'm as real as the world will make me,
I don't wanna stop.

I don't wanna stop
I don't wanna stop

All my life I've been over the top.
I don't know what I'm doing,
All I know is I don't wanna stop.

All fired up, I'm gonna go to the top.
I'm as real as the world will make me,
I don't wanna stop.

All my life I've been over the top.
I don't know what I'm doing,
All I know is I don't wanna stop.

All fired up, I'm gonna go to the top.
I'm as real as the world will make me,
I don't wanna stop...


Have you ever had a dream that felt so real, that it did become real?

What do you do when that happens? Could you face it? Could you look it square in the eyes and embrace it? It's hard to answer isn't it?

We are so use to looking upon our dreams from a distance that the idea of actually having it becomes.. non-existent. The pursuit is what drives us; always has and always will. We learn that it's not about what's at the end of the journey but the journey itself that is our greatest reward.

I've spent the better part of the past year in anger. I've let my pain confuse me, before I've said my vows of "turning over a new leaf and starting over" though we all knew it was all bullshit. The truth is that as long as the book was still open, I was never going to let it go.. I'm now a good four days since I closed that book for good and I honestly feel great, and it feels weird since I... don't have to be angry anymore. I've begun to re- evaluate everything and I've come to the conclusion that for the first time... I'm finally happy.

So where do we go from here? What's my great plan?

In truth, I don't know. I guess I always expected my answer(s) to come from the Factor itself. Given enough time and definitely enough work, I assumed that an idea that could work for everyone can materialize and we could use it to help shape the future into a direction that we need to go as a society.

So now here I am. Do I believe in this? I do.

What got me first involved was seeing how the world reacted to mediocre things as if they were the catalyst of war. People hurting and suffering across the land and the world were often forgotten because we had more important issues to deal with... like who got voted off of American Idol. I look at this and I feel sorry for the world. It isn't the fact that we don't care; I believe that it's mainly due to the fact that we realize what it would mean to care.

One of the hardest things in reality, is reality in itself...

We all have ideal visions and the idea of comparing them to reality is just too hard to bear at times. Hopes and dreams are one of, if not the only, last true components that give us our innocence in this world. Hopes and dreams should be nurtured and be allowed to grow for within them lie the seeds for the future. I believe in those hopes and dreams as they have been what shaped all that I am inside.

So what happens now?

Well Rome wasn't built in a day, and I truly don't know what I could accomplish in my lifetime. Some would and could say that what I do has little to no meaning. Naturally I think that's bullshit. As long as I believe in what I do in my time here, then it has meaning, Everything and anything can mean everything or nothing but it comes down to one thing: Our Choice.

It's easy to see this and assume that I've gone soft; that, without my anger, my ability to reason is compromised. But maybe, just maybe, it's not. Without question, anger can fuel a great rant. I mean I've been in a surly mood plenty of times and it's shown here but it's my heart that gives my words purpose.

We learn, we grow, we change.... This is simply the next chapter of life.

This is the next chapter of THE BRIAN FACTOR....

SO... GAME ON.

Brian's Song: Driven

Well by now you've all read "The Games That We Play." Well, consider this the theme song to all that malarky...

So for this week I spotlight "Driven" By Sevendust as this week's Brian's Song.

"Driven"

Stop the man
Fom endin up with all the chips, so he can't
Promse him an only chance
To have the freedom that's been takin from me.

You - can - try - to - lift - your - head - no
You fucked up with me now live with the truth
Find a reason to lie (try)

Seems like it hasn't been long - I've given
so much, how could you hide?
You're sick with all the guilt you're never - forgiven

You try to wash it away - wash it away

Ask again
why all the dreams I had,
Are now left broken.
Punished for a wounded past
Afraid to wake and find reality breathin
why - has - life - been - taken - from - me
I fucked up and now I live with the truth,
With no reason to lie

I Feel like it hasn't been long - I'm driven
to keep myself alive
You're sick with all the guilty you're never -
forgiven
you'll never wash it away - wash it away

How can you live with yourself

Seems like it hasn't been long - I've given
so much how could you hide
You're sick with all the guilt you're never - forgiven

you try to wash it away - wash it away

I Feel like it hasn't been long - I'm driven
to keep myself alive
You're sick with all the guilty you're never -
forgiven
you'll never wash it away - wash it away...


Like what you read, want to know more? Then click the link and learn about Sevendust.

http://www.sevendust.info/


"Driven" is the off of "Alpha" which is available at music stores everywhere.

Got an idea for a future "Brian's Song", then hit us up and let us know, there's nothing fun and more truer than just sharing some kick ass tunes with the world.

Until Next Time,

-Brian