♫ Hide behind your walls… ♫

Every once in a while, I bump into a song that touches me deeply. I often make it my new ringtone, or play it non-stop for days. The songs range from heartbroken lamentations to odes of angst, and they move me for different reasons. This morning while walking to work, I bumped into this song, and it’s been on replay ever since.

♫ A crowded street can be a quiet place when you’re walking alone.

I don’t know why it struck me with such force. Maybe it’s because I’m at a place where everything is right, yet everything feels wrong. I have an awesome new job that I love. My baby is thriving as a girl scout. I have a chance with a boy that I adore. I’ve found a path that suits me beautifully. Yet I’m still moping around, and I can’t think why.

3 Doors Down has always been one of my favourite bands. I don’t know the members’ names, their story, or even their greatest hits. I just know I like a lot of their songs. This one speaks to me because I’m that exact moment, the moment where I’m afraid to try things because I don’t want to fail. But like the man says:

♫ If you’re afraid to fly, then I guess you never will.

Yesterday, I directed my first ever radio commercial. Most fun I’ve had in ages! Then I did something called an aura photograph, which told me my aura was orange. Apparently, people with orange auras are ‘creative, productive, adventurous, courageous, and relate to emotions.’ The photo came with a 23-page analysis, which veered between being uncannily accurate and immensely amusing.

I don’t consider myself adventurous. I describe myself as conservative and introverted. When I said this to the people in the photography room, they burst out laughing. Apparently, you don’t get to call yourself reserved when you have tattoos and purple hair. *shrug* Anyway, that’s the frame of mind I was in when I found my OCD song for today.

♫ Your mistakes do not define you now, they tell you who you’re not. ♫

My new boss gave us an assignment last week. He asked to find the answers to three questions – our passion, what things [the company can do to] make us happy, and what [skills] we bring to the table. The task was easy for me, because all three questions are answered everyday, in my mind, and on my blog.

One thing I’ve learned – and not for the first time  – is that sometimes, having everything you want doesn’t make you happy. Sometimes, simply being happy makes you happy. I don’t quite know how to do that yet, but I’m working on it. I’m definitely working on it.

It’s the only one you’ve got3 Doors Down

I’m not drunk!

I recently started a new job, and as part of the induction ceremony, we’re routinely required to take tequila shots. Here’s how it works. For as long as the office feels that you’re a n00b, you’re required to take two tequila shots on demand. The moment I heard the rule, I went online to find the side effects. For the first time ever, Google offered no help at all.

I had my first random shots last Friday. It was 6.00 p.m. and I was peacefully sitting at my desk when the lovely lady at HR yelled my name. Of course I made a big deal about it, telling them I don’t drink and that I don’t handle alcohol well. They weren’t buying it. So I sneered at the drink for a few seconds, then downed it. The first shot went down quietly. The second one elicited a few coughs.

I could see everyone keenly watching me, and suggested I should stand on the spot for a few seconds, just in case I rolled over and died. Once I felt confident enough to move, I inched towards the door very slowly. I was careful to take tiny sideways steps, and was relieved when our Finance Manager pointed and said, ‘The exit is that way.” I’m still not sure it’s the direction I was walking in.

Later, the Finance Manager found me in the kitchen washing my water bottle. He suggested I drink some [water] to dilute the tequila effect. Since I wasn’t actually feeling anything at the time, I figured it would save me a hangover, so I did. Note to self: Do not drink water immediately after tequila. It doesn’t dilute it – it makes it worse. I wasn’t feeling anything before, but five seconds after swallowing the liquid., I felt giggly, dizzy, and had a compulsive urge to make inappropriate phone calls. Aw crud.

About half an hour ago, I was called for my second random shot. It was just after a 3 hour induction session with my MD, and everyone gathered round to witness the event. We had some warm words, shared a nice speech, and then it was bottoms up. A client topped up our glasses with something called Olmega, I think. It tasted a lot sweeter than tequila.

Since I clearly didn’t learn my lesson the first time, I chased the shots with half a litre of water. Then I went onto the rooftop and made a phone call. It went considerably well, although I was walking around in what I can only assume was a straight line. I had hoped to enjoy the view, but the rooftop doors were locked, which I can only imagine is a good thing, considering the percentage of alcohol in my system.

After the phone call, which made both me and my callee very happy, I settled at my desk to let the dizziness fade away. I spoke to some workmates and brainstormed on an upcoming studio session. At one point, I pulled my office desk-mate aside and asked if I was talking too loud, because my voice was thundering in my ears. She smiled and said, ‘Actually, you’re whispering.’

Other than that, I feel fine. Except I just tried to add 7 + 5 and drew a blank. Also, I keep wanting to dial numbers that I have no business dialing. Lesson of the day – drink the water before the shots, not after, especially if you’re taking it neat. Also, that salt shaker next to the glasses? Use it. It’s not for decoration. Now to put on my earphones and take a quick stroll home. I’ll try not to fall asleep in the matatu. Stay safe all, and don’t drink and drive *grin*

♫ Closing time ♫ Sub-sonic

Two videos that made my day

I’m at that age where my kid sings songs (and pulls dance moves) that I’ve never even heard of, and it makes me feel really, really old. So when my brother sent me a text that said ‘This #CallMeMaybe song is too catchy!’ I told him I’d Google it. Turns out it’s one of those Vevo Videos that take forever to load. And then, it’s sung by a girl called Carly Rae Jepsen. Um … okaaaay. I think she should change her hair though.

I spent the first few minutes drooling at the pretty boy mowing the lawn. Hot!! Then I noticed the song is fairly catchy and started singing along. By the time she got to her antics on the car, I was grinning. I have totally done that, pulling idiotic moves and sexy poses just to get a hot guy to notice me. In my case, it was wearing a green mini and heels just to go next door and take back the thermos my mum had borrowed. What. I was twelve. *facepalm*

In the video, when shit hits, she doesn’t melt with embarrassment, run inside, and wail herself to sleep. She simply laughs, picks herself up, and salvages the situation. Now that’s a girl with class! Pay attention ladies – guys love a girl that they can laugh with. *cheeky grin*

I liked the later parts of the video because she’s redeemed from her idiocy and finally gets to look cool as a rock chick. But my favourite part is right at the end … I would spoil it for you, but I’m still too busy laughing! This is totally my new theme song. Also, that young boy is HOT!!!

The second video of the day is one I bumped into on Twitter. I don’t spend much time on it these days. But once in a while, I bump into something that makes me bless all the gods of the internet, which is exactly what happened today. I’ve watched this video six or seven times but I’m no less disturbed, and it’s the kind of disturbance that I can’t look away from. Like the man said, be sure to wait for 1.07…