Anniversaries

Sunday was March 13th. For many, many years, that was a special day. It was our anniversary. We started going out in March of 1988, when I was a freshman in college and she was still a senior in high school. We broke it off in October of 2003. I got to spend time with a wonderful woman for 15 years. For that, I will always be grateful.

We don't talk so much anymore, and that saddens me, but it's the way of things I guess. Japan can be a very lonely place, and it would be nice to be able to chat with her from time to time. I don't think she reads this blog, but she does know about it, as we still email occasionally.

There are days when I don't think about her at all, but the oddest little thing can trigger a memory - music especially is a powerful reminder of the time we had together.

So here are two songs that will forever be linked to a very special person - these are for you H

She was, and remains, a huge Elvis Costello fan...

Alison
by Elvis Costello

Oh it’s so funny to be seeing you after so long, girl.
And with the way you look I understand
That you are not impressed.
But I heard you let that little friend of mine
Take off your party dress.
I’m not going to get too sentimental
Like those other sticky valentines,
’cause I don’t know if you’ve been loving somebody.
I only know it isn’t mine.

Alison, I know this world is killing you.
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.

Well I see you’ve got a husband now.
Did he leave your pretty fingers lying
In the wedding cake?
You used to hold him right in your hand.
I’ll bet he took all he could take.
Sometimes I wish that I could stop you from talking
When I hear the silly things that you say.
I think somebody better put out the big light,
Cause I can’t stand to see you this way.

Alison, I know this world is killing you.
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.
My aim is true.

The other song is by a new Irish singer/songwriter named Damien Rice who I came across during the time of our breakup. I can't recommend his debut album, "O" more highly - it's fantastic stuff and it was a tremendous source of solace during that tough time. You might have heard a snipet of this song in the trailer for the recent film, Closer.

The Blower's Daughter
by Damien Rice

And so it is
Just like you said it would be
Life goes easy on me
Most of the time
And so it is
The shorter story
No love, no glory
No hero in her sky

I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes...

And so it is
Just like you said it should be
We'll both forget the breeze
Most of the time
And so it is
The colder water
The blower's daughter
The pupil in denial

I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off of you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes off you
I can't take my eyes...

Did I say that I loathe you?
Did I say that I want to
Leave it all behind?

I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind off you
I can't take my mind off of you
I can't take my mind off you
I can't take my mind off you
I can't take my mind...
My mind...my mind...
'Til I find somebody new

Hopefully I will "find somebody new" but dating in Japan is going to be tough. I haven't given up hope, but I'm not holding my breath either. Perhaps appropriate given my current locale, but I'm very Zen about my romantic future - I hope to have one, but I'm not worrying about it much.

-Jason
The Eeyore of Shimane