Averting Gaze

Two topics are avoided, touched but rarely spoken about. The room is silent without knowing how to respond to the darker, realistic, and true shades of life. But they need to be addressed. No matter how traumatizing the event, society sweeps rape and suicide under the carpet. It’s not a subject anyone wants to approach. It takes caution and sensitivity to broach such heavy issues.

But in music, topics of such are relevant. Music as we know is it, is a coping method. For some it is writing, others composing, as for the listener it gives insight and comfort knowing they are not the only one reliving with the relentless, horrid memories.

Music has an effect that touches people, moves people and creates awareness.

The Fray does just that in their song “How to Save a Life”. I realize this is a mainstream song, but it feels necessary to bring into light. The song was inspired by an experience of the lead singer, Isaac Slade, when he went as a mentor to a camp to help troubled teens.

He didn’t know how to help. The lyrics bluntly state that:

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

I know you want to say that was just one person. But one person lost their life. To be honest, not knowing how to help occurs more than we’d like to believe. Like the rest of society, we don’t want to deal with confrontation of someone dying or their thought of killing themselves. It’s just normal. We say it’ll pass, but for those with suicidal thoughts, does it?

With no one helping them, it looks as if no one cares. If someone says they’re your friend, they need to help you through everything even if that means staying up ‘til 2am.

The chorus relays that because you didn’t help your friend, guilt is place upon yourself. Just as with the main character, Clay, in Jay Asher’s work of TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY.

Abbey Marshall, a fellow classmate of mine, wrote her own review of the book through her own blog:http://abbeymarshall.wordpress.com/2013/10/13/th1rteen-r3asons-why-you-should-read-this-book/. This is phenomenally written and is strait to the point. It highlights upon teen suicide and realistic motive behind it.

However, this song does not alone bring awareness to suicide of any age, but also focuses on the contributing factors.
 

Lay down a list of what is wrong

The things you've told him all along

With this particular line, its saying that you are repeating the information someone has already given you. It’s not, in anyway, helping them solve their problems or lifting the weight off your shoulders.

Factors of suicide could be anything including, stress, drug addiction, rape, social issues, or relationships. The list could go on and on. Unless you ask, you never know how someone is being affected by your words, how you act, or what you write.

In Sonia Rayka’s blog, One in Three, she depicts the seriousness of rape. Women are taught to avoid a situation and think about how they dress, walk in groups of two or more. But then why are men not taught and enforced that rape should not be encouraged. To read more:http://soniarayka.wordpress.com/2013/09/22/one-in-three/

Anything could be a factor, but frankly, do any of us truly know how to handle a situation, if it were to arise? Is the blame on us, or is it on society because they do not want to truly admit to what hides in the shadows and cobwebbed corners of reality?

My Views

Our world is jaded by the eyes which overlook values morals interest

we implant ideas into younger heads corrupting society           

and we ask: why is it that no one has individuality?

For the sake that we want to fit in

we want to be accepted into a group

not out casted

we are alienated by the characteristics that are against society’s ways

but reality we are humanoid

influenced by music books movies television, mainstream or alternative,

anything that occurs daily

no matter how much we say we break away

it’s bound to influence us

that’s how culture is shaped

we are shaped by our actions words thoughts

we are not ourselves

if we decide that this world is not right

that’s when change can occur

but until we admit the fact that along the lines something took a wrong turn

we cannot pave our own path

but it’s by unconformity that we become a destined person

together we stand strong

but apart we create an interesting world

conflicting ideas challenging one another is what spreads new ideas

no one said we have to be a like

don’t be

what’s your worth if we are all one in the same?

Reconnected

I am definitely the creative writer. I knew that before I even began to write journalistically. I’m always adding little details here and there, descriptive adjectives, varying my verbs. As journalism is becoming implemented into my writing style, I haven’t lost the touch for writing novels, short stories or poems. I’ve just been able to look at my pieces from a different point of view. I will approach a topic differently. And though keeping strait to the point without all the fluff is difficult (or at least for the moment), I thought I’d share a song I wrote.

My inspiration comes from everyday life; from dreams (if I remember them) and internal battles I fight with myself. But this particular composition, “Killing the Clocks”, was inspired by the novel I finished last winter.

In short, I’ve titled the novel Reconnected. It is about a girl, Sephora, who meets international boy band, Imagine Mir, before they became a worldwide phenomenon. Throughout while living in Germany, the four counterparts and Sephora bonded. Four years later it is blatantly obvious Sephora changed; however, Imagine Mir knows nothing of the mistakes and lessons she learned about relationships. Little does Sephora or the boys know that there is a connection between their families to lead Sephora back to Germany to confront her secret. Events following lead to unexpected fallouts, heartbreaks and overwhelming damage. Can the families cope with the outcome? Is there anything else to hold onto, or are relationships sliding on glass?

“Killing the Clocks” is the Imagine Mir’s first single released internationally. It was written for Sephora after she departed ways from Germany.

The first verse explains of the emotion felt when Sephora left. They don’t want time to pass because their life is not the same without the missing piece.

And I'm killing the clocks
So we don't lose time

We're a half a world away 

I don't want to hear the tick, tick, tick
Reminding me you’re not here
For you and me were meant to be
And I kill the clocks
Now and forever

Within the chorus, it conveys time flew by when the five of them were together. With Sephora gone, all they have is a memory. Time is not conceptual. But if they are not aware of the clocks, maybe, memories could be more than just a vision. Maybe the wish of her return will occur to save them from a world that keeps turning without meaning.

Cause eternity is what is left
And that is the time I want to spend
Not alone but with you
You, you, you
I want to be with you
You, you, you
I'm killing the clocks and not the time
Cause in my eyes you are the only one left to save me
From this world that's burning

 

They want to live in a memory, the second verse articulates. Reality is not somewhere that the boys can be expressive anymore. They are shunned from their world and memory is the only escape.

Kill the clocks with me
Let us be one in the same
Find me and together we will be
Lost from reality
Cause without time
We will live forever
In a world that doesn't matter
We can be who we are

And we kill the clocks
Now and forever

After a repeat in the chorus, the third verse proclaims that Sephora was open to their outcast ways. She accepted all four of them for their true colors. Never once did she judge the fact that they were different. Not everyone wants to have conformity in society. All five were unique individuals. 

 Kill the clocks
We won't see the time pass
That all I ask
Cause with our meeting
You changed my outlook
You've changed my perspective

All I want is to see you again
Without the limits of time or space

For you and me were meant to be 

And I kill the clocks

Now and forever
 

In a usual song there is a bridge with the chorus ending with a final repeat. But that isn’t how I composed this piece. With another repeat in the chorus, I end with a few more lines, repeating part of the chorus. 

Killing the clocks to be with you
You and only you
We are killing the clocks together

♫♫♫♫♫ 

As I was writing the lyrics to this song, there was a distinct melody. Normally, the piece begins as a poem and eventually I can pull chords together for the piano. But it was no doubt when I sat down to my beloved instrument that I played a few notes and immediately knew this was what I recalled in my head.

I’ve never written down the composition, come to find out the original sticks. I can pull out the piano bench and know exactly how to play “Killing the Clock”. Every time it changes in minute details to adds characteristic changes.

Nothing’s ever perfect. It’s always a work in progress. 

<3

© 2012 Katie Hermann. All rights reserved.

Relieve Me

Although We the Kings usually catches my attention with their up beat, punk-pop sound, their lyrics from Just Keep Breathing always calms me.

The song is portraying the message that through any situation we can prevail. The emotion is tangible through every note. The words are not forced, but flow together to tell the listener to see life in a new light.

Take breath, after breath—in essence that’s what is moving you forward. That’s how a new day will blossom. Take you life day by day. There should be no reason to stress, if you live for every day. Not necessarily waiting for something good to happen because I believe you should work toward happiness and success. But be appreciative for the miracles that occur.

Every time this song replays through my playlist, I take a step back from my chaotic life. I acknowledge the moment and realize what I have, what I should be grateful for, and what is weighing me down.  I refocus on the important strongholds in my life.

 

The second verse definitely hits home every time.

 

The beginning's just another end

It's not too late to start again

When hope is all too hard to hold

Just take a breath and let it go

Every time I restart obstacles reappear. That’s unavoidable. And when hope is all lost, which happens, take some deep breaths. Come too with a clear head.

This message ties into one of my favorite quotes by Lao Tzu:

“If you are depressed you are living in the past.

If you are anxious you are living in the future.

If you are at peace you are living in the present.”

Sometimes I just have to remind my self not to get caught up in all the drama of life, which might be my own or someone else’s. I have to be consciously aware that I don’t get lost in my own head. My thoughts are always consuming me, which I guess is not the best thing.

It’s songs like Just Keep Breathing that pull me back to the surface when I’m drowning from stress and life in general. It brings me back to reality. I love living in my fictional worlds, but my imagination and thoughts are nott what my life should only consist of. Real people are important too.

It’s time to live day by day; breath by breath. You’ll never know when a moment will be your last. Make the most of what you have.

Brave

“Among 12- to 17-year-olds, 47 percent of girls and 34 percent of boys report having been bullied either face-to-face or online, according to a survey by Mintel, a market research firm,” the New York time states in a recent article.

And it’s true. I know it. You know it. But what do we do about bullying? Most of us are bystanders watching the events unfold, if that is to mean watching statuses posted on line, verbal or physical.

But bullying is not just relevant in a middle school or high school setting. Become aware that bullying happens in every school, at every age. The idea is not to brush off the situation. Now after being the victim, perspective  change.

Two years. Two consecutive years.  By two different people.

At the naïve age of 8, I didn’t know. I didn’t push away the fact that I was being threatened, but I evaded questioning why it was happening.

I avoided him. Yet it was constant. I couldn’t get away. The words were thrown at me in our small groups. But I didn’t want to tattle. I didn’t want to find trouble, if that meant I dealt with the threats of being killed, then so be it.

It was in the corner of the classroom that I remember him stating, “I’m going to kill you. I’ll take a knife and slit your throat.” Or another common one; “I have a gun. I’m going to find you and shoot you.”

As an eight-year-old I didn’t know how to react. I knew it wasn’t normal. Kids in my small group just watched. Their mouths silence. And I was alone. Not a word was ever spoken about the reoccurring event.

With the third-grade rolling around the following year, to say the least, I was relived. Until I was targeted again.

Another student decided it was ok to, again, verbally abuse. Yet this time instead of just in the classroom, it was at recess too. I couldn’t escape. I tried to continue playing with my friends, but it wouldn’t always work like that. He began to snag my friends form underneath me, promising them that he was better, saying that I didn’t need friends. And that they were not allowed to talk to me anymore.

The two years were rough. But looking back these events created who I am. I’ve become more aware of the circumstances around me. And with October here, it’s time to advocate for Anti-Bully Awareness Month.

It is never ok to sit back and watch the bullying happen. That makes a situation ten times worse. It makes you feel like you are stuck in the same position. There are programs dedicated toward the prevention of bullies. And even in music you can find liberating messages.

For Sara Bareilles, her song “Brave” is leaving in its wake a message to take a stand and be who you are.

“It’s acknowledging our own internal silence,” Bareilles said, “What are we not speaking out loud because we are afraid of what that might expose us to, if that is judgment, criticism or vulnerability?”

This song is for encouragement and motivation to stand up for ourselves, mostly, but for others as well. Because you are recognizing that something is wrong, or you’re not acting yourself, it gives you power to change. Rise above the chamber that’s confining you, and breaking the chains that bind you in darkness.

“Letting the light in is a metaphor to the truth,” Bareilles said. “It is such a beautiful, broad concept.”

 

You don’t have to look far for comfort. Standing up is a way to grow into your own skin. It teaches fearlessness and courageousness.

If a friend is not someone you can lean on, there are people who have been in your shoes. No matter what you believe. Someone is experiencing pain, just as you are.

 

And I find it easiest to find meaning within lyrics, if that maybe on the radio, on the internet, or elsewhere. You can always find lyrics that are connectable to describe you situation. Always.

 

To read Anti-Bullying from The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/business/media/the-fight-against-bullying-in-schools-expands-to-store-shelves.html

To listen to Sara Bareilles “Track-by-Track” Commentary of Brave:

http://www.vh1.com/video/interview/sara-bareilles/937407/brave-track-by-track.jhtml

Kind-Hearted

Keys unlock a drawer. Sliding open the inside decorated with calculator after calculator, electronic after electronic.

Now who would have so many? Why would someone spend that amount of money?

Well, for you to know, that is the Lost and Found at Mason High School. That’s where my iPod would’ve ended up, if it was not for a kind-hearted custodian.

He could’ve just continued on with his job, ignoring those around him. Cleaning the school and placing all lost possessions in a pile. It’s not his job to help someone if they are lost or looking for someone, or something. With Mason cutting down custodians from 80 throughout the school district to 40, you’d think a person would disregard the fact that an adult was wondering around campus. Yet he stopped, asking if help was needed.

I reached inside my bag to entertain myself with music on the ride home. But when my hand grasped nothing, my heart dropped. It wasn’t there. My iPod wasn’t there. Stomach tied in knots, I rearranged all the items in my bag, praying, hoping that I overlooked the small item. To my dismay, I rode home with the chatter of the bus filling my ears; not music.

As the minutes passed by, thoughts accumulated of the important items and information my iPod held. Interviews. Book ideas. Song lyrics. Piano excerpts. Inspirational quotes. Everything that impacted me daily.

But really, why would a custodian help? They are downgraded, overlooked, and stereotyped. Honestly, though, why does society think they can forget about these people?

It’s a job, just like a teacher, principal, or a counselor. They are people just as you and I are. They have emotions.

I knew my iPod was at the school with the on and off connection of the internet, but when pinpointed the electronic couldn’t be found. And because the school is contracted to two different cleaning companies, Z-pod, where my last class of the day is, was not part of the custodial group who my mother ran into.

Walking around to trash cans, outside, checking empty hallways, the custodian and my mother searched throughout the school. It was only when running into a custodian  of the other group that the two had permission to comb through the halls of Z.

Yet, it wasn’t there either, where they found my possession. It had been collected with other misplaced items in the arms of yet another worker. Books upon books stacked with calculators and phones, the goldenrod case was unmistakably noticeable within the pile. Black headphones still wrapped around the silicon, not perfectly, but well enough.

I couldn’t have been more grateful. My heart goes out in thanks to those who helped. To those who were persistent enough not to let hope fade.

To those who are overlooked in everyday life. You have meaning. You are the kind-hearted.

With a smile, I say thank you. Thank you. Thank you because I take things for granted. I made myself realize the dependence of objects, but you’ve made me realize that one small deed can go a long way.

:D