Façade

Many times, different things I will see or here will set my mind in random directions (as you probably already know if you are a long time reader). One of my new musical obsessions is Jekyll and Hyde. The music is amazing, kind of dark, as most European musicals are. Regardless, my goal was not to draw you into the show, but instead, much like I have done with Wicked, I wanted to share with you some of the thoughts that sprang forth from listening to one of the main song, "Facade."

Obviously the duplicity of man is a main theme in the Jekyll and Hyde story, but this song got me thinking a lot about our current state. Throughout the song, they point out that society's way is that of hiding who you are. Of course, if you consider Europe at that time, and for that matter throughout history, it is easy to see how the rich and powerful in particular had to show this incredible image, often to the point of it being impossible. Now days, people often talk about the manners, and politeness that was present. There were gentlemen, and ladies. Now, not so much. So what is it that has made this change?

I had originally began to form the idea that we simply hide less today. When I mentioned this to a friend, he said we actually try and hide more now. Hmm. I do know that hiding is harder now. We see this especially with stars, who are unable to hide the "darker" side of their personal lives no matter how hard they try. Also in this country we seem to have this rebellious attitude that says. "I will be who I want."

Yet, he had a point. Looking around today you can see a lot of sheep, and the term "black sheep" is probably more applicable today than when it was coined. Just the other day, a homophobic minister was lambasted for stepping outside the "accepted boundaries" of his peers and condoning "limited" rights for gays and lesbians. Was this his mask coming off only to have him shunned by his society? Maybe we really aren't more true to ourselves.

Another thing that I think about when dealing with this facade that I am going to put more thought into for another date is what and why exactly do we hide? Are we two people that fail to come to grips with that as Jekyll presents? Or are we people who just hide what we don't want others to see? Oh well, thoughts for another day!

There's a face that we wear
In the cold light of day -
It's society's mask,
It's society's way,
And the truth is
That it's all a façade!

There's a face that we hide
Till the nighttime appears,
And what's hiding inside,
Behind all of our fears,
Is our true self,
Locked inside the façade!

Every day
People, in their own sweet way,
Like to add a coat of paint,
And be what they ain't!

That's how our little -
Game is played,
Livin' like a masquerade
Actin' a bizarre charade -
While playing the saint!

But there's one thing I know,
And I know it for sure:
This disease that we've got
Has got no ready cure!
And I'm certain
Life is terribly hard -
When your life's a façade!

Look around you!
I have found
You cannot tell, by lookin' at the surface, 
What is lurkin' there beneath it!
See that face!
Now, I'm prepared to bet you,
What you see's not what you get -
'Cause man's a master of deceit !

So, what is the sinister secret?
The lie he will tell you is true? -
It's that each man you meet
In the street
Isn't one man but two!

Nearly everyone you see -
Like him an' her,
An' you, an' me -
Pretends to be
A pillar of society -
A model for propriety -
Sobriety 
An' piety -
Who shudders at the thought
Of notoriety!

The ladies an' gents 'ere before you -
Which none of 'em ever admits -
May 'ave saintly looks -
But they're sinners an' crooks!

Hypocrites!
Hypocrites!

There are preachers who kill!
There are killers who preach!
There are teachers who lie!
There are liars who teach!
Take yer pick, dear -
"Cause it's all a façade!

If we're not one, but two,
Are we evil or good?
Do we walk the fine line -
That we'd cross if we could?
Are we waiting -
To break through the façade?

One or two
Might look kinda well-to-do -
Hah! They're bad as me an' you,
Right down they're boots!

I'm inclined to think -
Half mankind
Thinks the other half is blind!
Wouldn't be surprise to find -
They're all in cahoots!

At the end of the day,
They don't mean what they say,
They don't say what they mean,
They don't ever come clean -
And the answer -
Is it's all a façade!
Is it's all a façade!
Man is not one, but two,
He is evil and good,
An' he walks the fine line
We'd all cross if we could!

It's a nightmare -
We can never discard -
So we stay on our guard -
Though we love the façade -
What's behind the façade?
Look behind the façade!

Frodo and Politics

So there is a lot of madness going on with work right now, so I haven't had much time to write. I did, however want to share this sticker I saw with you. I think it may be one of the funniest/creative political statements to date. Enjoy!

St. Valentine's Day

It's been a while since I have written, and I figured what better way to come back than with some cheese on people's favorite cheesy holiday! So here it is:

St. Valentine's Story

Let me introduce myself.  My name is Valentine.  I lived in Rome during the third century.  That was long, long ago! At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius.  I didn't like Emperor Claudius, and I wasn't the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings.

Claudius wanted to have a big army.  He expected men to volunteer to join.  Many men just did not want to fight in wars.  They did not want to leave their wives and families.  As you might have guessed, not many men signed up.  This made Claudius furious.  So what happened? He had a crazy idea.  He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army.  So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages.  Young people thought his new law was cruel.  I thought it was preposterous! I certainly wasn't going to support that law!

Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favorite activities was to marry couples.  Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage ceremonies -- secretly, of course.  It was really quite exciting.  Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself.  We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers.

One night, we did hear footsteps.  It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in time.  I was caught.  (Not quite as light on my feet as I used to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death.

I tried to stay cheerful.  And do you know what? Wonderful things happened.  Many young people came to the jail to visit me.  They threw flowers and notes up to my window.  They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love.

One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard.  Her father allowed her to visit me in the cell.  Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours.  She helped me to keep my spirits up.  She agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages.  On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty.  I signed it, "Love from your Valentine."

I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day.  It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D.  Now, every year on this day, people remember.  But most importantly, they think about love and friendship.  And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh -- because they know that love can't be beaten!

 Have a happy Valentine's Day, everybody!! 

See, there is a reason that Hallmark gets to make lots of money. And remember, it is the day that is about love, no matter who you love, so love freely, and live happy, even if it is your friends and family that get to receive it today.