Songs and Letters - Excuse the Cheese

Bon Iver's first album, from which came the ubiquitous single Skinny Love, is called For Emma, Forever Ago - I guess it can be assumed it had been written for, or inspired at least by the titular character. Adele's whole sophomore album, 21, is about one guy. And yesterday, as I was binge stalking researching the ever adorable Mr. Lightbody of Snow Patrol, I found out that both their Final Straw and Eyes Open albums, 2 consecutive ones, are about one girl as well. The Script, too, have openly spoken about the stories and the people behind their heartbreakingly beautiful records from all 3 albums (the 3rd due to be released in 4 days, I am so psyched!).

What am I saying here? Oh, you know, just that I hope someday, somewhere, somehow someone might be able to write a song for me, too. Or a whole album if they are up for it. (They?! Well until we get there, I can dream. Haha.) Also, it does not need to come out of heartbreak. I hope not. Because, really, would it not be sweeter if it were written out of our pure, incandescent love and happiness. Although a lot of the best records are the sad ones, those of heartbreak and all. At the risk of sounding emo, I have to say I personally have also always thought that there is beauty in sadness. But I hope we do not have to wait for that.    

And I hope to be able to write one for someone, too. And I do, I will. If I had any songwriting chops like any of the above mentioned.. or John Mayer, I believe I would have written a proper collection already by now, albeit for people and places I have not met and been to yet. But I will eventually. When the time and place is right, and with the right people. It will be a golden moment.

Love letters, too. Not to be cheesy, but I would love to receive long, heartfelt, well-thought-out love letters. And I think whoever has the capacity to write songs should be able to write love letters, too. Naturally, I should like to respond with letters of my own. Correspondence :)

Are my standards too high? But is that really too much to ask? Not asking for a book, just a few songs and letters :)

Thank You for Believing in my Weirdness - KP

Official movie poster. Borrowed from Pinterest. 

Ingested a big dose of inspiration, joy, bows, glitters, peacock feathers, and everything nice last night by way of the beautiful Katy Perry. I have marked my calendar and psyched myself up the instant I heard that she was releasing a movie/documentary chronicling her life on tour over a year for her Teenage Dream album. Every day leading to its release I found myself growing only more and more excited to see it, thinking it should inspire me so much and give me just the right kick to get back on the track to my dreams. The thought of it was made all the more promising after the most recent turn of events in my life, career-wise. So no time was wasted. A friend and fellow Katycat, who has a penchant for all things gay and girly, too (and that's why we are such great friends), and I fled to the mall last night to catch Katy Perry: Part of Me in 3D and make our wishes for the night come true. And it was great.

Personally speaking, the movie was everything I expected. It did not disappoint; it inspired me. But probably more notably, I should mention, it was more than my friend expected. On our way out of the cinema, I learned that she had expected the movie to be somewhat "shallow," and generally just one of those movies you watch to have a good time. But she was most pleasantly surprised to find it was nothing like that. 

This one fan featured in the movie said it best, it was like "being hit by an arrow of Katy Perry-ness." Well obviously, right? It is her movie after all. But no, I mean, in her interviews KP has always mentioned how personal this project is for her, and that really does come across to you in the audience. Underneath and beyond all the candy, glitters, lights, the stage, and the songs, this really is about one girl's childhood and teenage dream coming true. And who does not like that, a story of a dream coming true? I have so much respect for Katy, even more after seeing the movie. As much as we all would like to, let's admit, it is a little difficult to stand out in this world - moreso in Katy's part of it! But she does it so easily and so naturally, and it's all her own work, mind you. She is one of the most hands-on people ever, as made evident in and by the movie. Early producers she's worked with tried to make her be more like Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, etc. But she worked hard and fought all that and now, she is her own woman and artist. And thank you God and Universe because the world is a better place with people and souls like her.

Moreover, Katy deserves all the kudos for not being afraid to show the reality, the bad that comes with the good that is her dream come true. The movie does not skip her painful divorce to Russell Brand, whom she apparently loved more than us commoners will ever know. On a couple of show dates she seemed too depressed to go on stage and push through with the show. I cried, too, at this point in the movie. But she fought that and carried on. Not only is she a fun, creative, hardworking woman, she is damn strong, too!

On a personal note, there were quite a lot of particular facets of Katy Perry's life that I could really relate to. For example, the religious upbringing which involved attending church activities and singing in the children's choir. Years later, regarding her faith and prayer life, Katy comments that she still has a personal relationship with God, and He is a big part of her life. But she may not necessarily believe and practice all the same details that she was taught/grew up with. Ditto, Katy. Also, I think I'm weird too like her. Haha. Hence the title of this post, which is arguably my favorite quote from the movie.

Highly recommend everyone to go see Katy Perry: Part of Me, too. Whether you are a fan or not. In college, I remember, us Communication majors were taught that good stories are made so because they are reflections of certain truths in life. I think Katy can add that achievement to her resume under this title. And if it does not make you feel good, I do not know what will. Haha. Parts of it will make you want to dance!