hello @amWhy

@vitamind Hello! How are you?

@amWhy Fine, thanks. Just came by to say hello :) How are you?

@vitamind I'm fine (thanks). We've had crazy weather (rain, thunderstorms, and heat), but given the situation of many geographic areas, I can't complain at all (no fire risk, with all the rain).

@amWhy Really sad what happened to lonestudent. I also talked to them, is really nice.

@vitamind Yes, indeed. Same thing in Greece, Western US, Western Canada, etc. Very sad.

@amWhy yes. I unfortunately have no idea what to say now. what music do you like?

@vitamind I like world music; and in the US, I like what was called "folk music/acoustic guitar + singer/song-writers. I'm pretty eclectic (I like a variety of music, even some classical.) But heavy metal music I just can't enjoy: the discord, the anger, etc. I can appreciate it as likely cathartic for those who participate, but I find it too overstimulating for me. How about you?

@amWhy Same :). I like pretty much everything, I don't know if it's good or bad. Probably good. Classical sometimes, heavy metal never. I also can't really enjoy new(!) pop. By "folk music/acoustic guitar + singer/song-writers" do you mean something like Bye bye miss American pie, drove my shevy to the levee but the levee was dry? I like this song :)

@vitamind Yes! and Bob Dylan's Blowing in the Wind, and Cat Stevens; and Peter, Paul and Mary; and Simon & Garfunkel, and John Denver, and.....

why did I write shevy haha

@amWhy Country roads is one of the few songs I can sing entirely out of my memory.

@vitamind I didn't even notice, I knew the song immediately.

I like a good amount of current music too, but I've always been drawn to good lyrics, sung well, telling stories, and meaningful.

@amWhy Because one often can relate?

@vitamind If so, it was some elder in a family. Mostly it's a tribute to going home...

@vitamind Yes, and they are almost both poetry + music!

@amWhy I meant American pie. I thought someone died and that's why the author wrote the song. But idk for sure, I can check too

@amWhy Often music makes me even sadder. Sometimes it's unbearable for me to listen to a certain song, literally. Do you have the same thing too?

@vitamind Yes, but it is often worth moving through it, rather than avoiding it. I lost both my parents rather early in my life, and recently lost a sister, and for many, there are songs that both represent words and memories, or remind one of them. But the fact that the songwriter/singer seems to so fully understand, can also help one feel less alone.

Here's a song that struck me, too: Harry Chapin, Cats in the Cradle: It's moved so many sons (and daughters) and fathers.

@amWhy I remember. I hope your brother is recovering well from his operation.

@vitamind Oh, yes. He's up and at it, and full of life. The above song is rather sad, a father realizing only after retirement, that he seemed never to have time for his son, and in turn, the son, grown up, seems to never have time for his Dad. It is both tragic, but also inspiring, for folks to have insight, and perhaps stop such cycles?

Music/lyrics/poems, etc, have a way of touching us, move us. But I agree, that sometimes I've had to know when to stop, or take a break. But I truly marvel at artists, poets, novelists, musicians are so adept at creating work that speaks to us, but also is a canvas for us to see ourselves in them.

@amWhy This is true. For me the song you posted has a meaning, thank you.

I assume you've never watched anime?

@vitamind Not really, not much at all. But feel free to share any songs, anime, of movies: anything that you've really enjoyed, or that moved you!

I recently discovered anime, for me it (the ones I watched) resemble the exact same thing you wrote. The "song", which has moved we the most is this one: This is probably not about the music itself, it's what I associate with them.

Just brings up so many memories. I'm sure you know what I mean.

@vitamind Yes, it's quite touching and mournful, in a way.

yes. do you play chess?

@vitamind As a hobby, but I haven't been competitive for awhile!

I'm really bad, maybe you could help me to improve :) lichess.org/VDxN30js