“I somehow see what’s beautiful, in things that are ephemeral …”

I get a lot of (guff) sometimes for the music that I like. Yeah, I liked the Beatles, but then who in my generation didn’t? That might be our only common ground. I can’t say I have ever liked too much of the mainstream — and still don’t. Also, most kids today listen to rap, and as I’ve always said, I have never heard a rap song which I liked.

In the late 70s and early 80s I liked punk rock/new wave long before it became popular. I got a lot of “Get Away From Me Man” or actually “Don’t Touch Me Man” — because I liked Devo and Elvis Costello. When I told Maury down at the Deli that I like the Japanese Idol genre, he replied “Yu dah WHAT …?” with his hands gesturing out like he usually does like that … well, you would have to know Maury.

Ahem … I will try to stay positive today as I will share one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite American groups: She & Him. “I Thought I Saw Your Face Today” is from their great 2008 debut album, titled simply: Volume 1. The song is written by Zooey Deschanel. She & Him are considered an “indie” pop rock group.

Of course, Zooey-chan is mainly known as a TV and movie actress, but I also think that she is a great, but very under-rated songwriter. (Before you say “Get Away From Me Man”, read what I wrote about this subject on another post, some time back, linked here.) The song reminds me a lot of John Lennon’s “Across the Universe”. In fact, I think that Zooey writes and performs well in a retro-1960s Beatles/Beach Boys- type-style. Let us take a listen, then we will discuss it. (Scroll down for lyrics.)

While listening to the song on YourTube, I came across a number of fan cover songs. Most of these were made back when Volume 1 came out. I especially like the 3rd one down. She did a great job of putting a real music video together.

All are lovely young women, with a lot of spirit. They each bring a unique something to the song. If you ever wonder if there is anything good, and positive in this world, look at these dear hearts. There is a glimpse of the best of humanity. Young ladies — singing a personal song they love.  (Denny choking up a bit.) These are all beautiful moments captured. Like an old photograph — or better yet — like a dragonfly trapped in amber during the early Cretaceous Period, the talent, beauty, and warmth of these life affirming young women are preserved by YourTube — and are still here for us to enjoy.

… Wait a minute, it has only been eight years — perhaps it is the nostalgic echo of the song which made me drop my cup-of-time … the ladies are still here. They probably all just graduated nursing school.

Music and lyrics  – by Zooey Deschanel

I thought
I saw your face today
But I just
Turned my head away
Your face
Against the trees
But I just see
The memories
As they come
As they come
And I couldn’t help
But fall in love again
No I couldn’t help
But fall in love again

I saw it glitter
As I grew
And loved it
Boy, I never knew
I thought this place
Was heaven sent
But now
It’s just a monument
In my mind
In my mind
And I couldn’t help
But fall in love again
No I couldn’t help
But fall in love again

The cars and freeways
That implore me to stay away
Out of this place
My mother said
Just keep your head
And play it as it lays

The cars and freeways
That implore me
To stay away
Out of this place
My mother said
Just keep your head
And play it as it lays

I somehow see
What’s beautiful in things
That are ephemeral
I’m my only friend, am I?
Love is just
A piece of time
In your world
In the world

And I couldn’t help
But fall in love again
No I couldn’t help
But fall in love again
No I couldn’t help
But fall in love again
No I couldn’t help
But fall in love again
No I couldn’t help
But fall in love again

Discussion: I love the lyrics. They are simple, but straightforward and honest.  Maybe a little mystical and paradoxical. One mistake I made  — until I looked up the lyrics — was that I misheard the line “And loved it boy — I never knew”. I thought I heard: “I loved a boy I never knew” which to me — sounded all reverse-time moving/paradoxical involving. Sometimes when you fall in love with someone, you instantly “recognize” them as someone you have always known, or should have known, even if you never met them before…if that could make any sense. A good song may transcend reality. I hope you can find your own meaning in this song. Thanks, Z.D.

You can find the guitar chords out there on the InterWebs. A free example is linked here.

https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/s/she_him/i_thought_i_saw_your_face_today_crd.htm

Starlight: She and Him “Volume 1” was released on March 18, 2008. What a great record.

This is a very shaky-poor-sounding-illegal recording from those eight years ago at a concert in New York City. Note that Zooey does her own whistling!  

Pokémon Nicknames: Vivillon

Image

Flying “V”

Vivillon (in Japanese: ビビヨン “Viviyon” ) is a dual-type BUG and FLYING type Pokémon. It is known as the “scale” Pokémon.  It evolves from Spewpa starting at level 12. It is the final form of Scatterbug.

I have caught and named several Vivillon.  The one I caught and trained for my journey through Kalos was named “Flying V”.  I named it after a 1967 Gibson “Flying V” guitar (I have had my eye on).

I also suggest the name “Volaré” named after Dean Martin’s famous song. The lyrics remind me of a XY  Sky battle as you will read below:

Volaré means “to fly” in Italian. Lyrics like “your love has given me wings” are especially fitting. The Italian: “Nel blu dipinto di blu” is the actual name of the song – meaning “In the sky, painted blue”.  It would be great to have a blue-patterned Vivillon. Great song, … and every time I listen to Dean Martin I always get hungry for spaghetti.  The memories are still vivid … but I digress.  “Vivid Calores” could also be a name!  

Volaré is also good if you like the Plymouth automobile.  They were popular with the Italian-American kids I grew up with.  There used to be a joke in high school, where guys would say “There was a big recall for the Plymouth Volare … yeah, whenever the engine stalls, an Italian chick automatically jumps into the backseat.”  Now look, when I was a young adult, the vivid colors of my world were a lot like the movie “Goodfellas” … and  I digress once again …

Lovingly called a little “_ _ _ _-mobile”

A French language (Kalos) fitting name would be “Vichyssoise” – the potato and leeks soup which is served cold in those super-expensive French restaurants. No youngsters, I kid you not.  A recipe is linked here.

I have also used the name “Versailles” as in the Palace at Versailles (take the tour here).

Of course, X & Y veterans are already familiar with the Kalos-region palace.

I have also named them “Vermilion” after the brilliant red-color pigment originally made from the powdered mineral Cinnabar (another possible name).  The color is widely used in Chinese art and lacquerware.  In fact, the color is sometimes termed “Chinese Red” – which is another possible nickname!

Notice how the artistic eye is drawn directly toward the Vermilion color of the garment.  You might need a little more material for a kimono however.

I used a Premier Ball to catch a female Vivillon, and named it “Kimono” because — well — I love kimonos, as you know.  I think that the pattern would make a nice kimono.

I have also named a male Vivillon “Vernon” after my friend in 6^th grade, and also for “Mt. Vernon” home of George Washington.

“Viva la __” might also be a good nickname.  Alternateively: “VivaLes___” , etc. You can choose what is the blank, whatever you want to “Viva la” to with your last five letters.

It is unfortunate that we cannot (as yet) re-name Pokémon, as you could name them in relation to what regional wing pattern they have.  Vivillon’s pattern depends on the real-world geographic location set in the game where the Pokémon was caught.

I received a High Plains Pattern Vivillon via the GTS, but some idiot named it “NO, SORRY”.

There 20 known patterns.  It would be fun to collect and then name them something special!

Poor Vivillon: The National Pokedex number for Vivillion is 666. Which may be off-putting for those of the Christian persuasion, as 666 is the number that represents “the Beast”.

According to Christian mythology: during the latter days before the end of the world, Satan the Devil will send the anti-Christ to Earth in order to trick the gullible population into worshiping him,  — after which he will destroy us all … (No … that is not Obama, you joker, …No! …oh, you…).

If there are over 700 Pokémon, someone had to be #666, so at least it is this very special, and very appealing Pokémon.