Well, that old adage, “If you want something done, ask a busy person” turns out to be correct! My old life, which incorporated the heady world of secure employment as well as blogging, acting as Mr WIAA’s unpaid secretary, caring for my mum and filling the role of chief cook and bottle-washer is now a full eight weeks behind me, but I don’t seem to be getting any more done in the course of a week than before – Very strange.
Not having been in this position before I had no idea how it would pan out – I think I had this romantic notion that I would finally get round to writing that opus which would earn me millions, I would sweep through the house like Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen creating a tranquil “haven in the Highlands” and home-cooked meals would await the family every evening….. The list goes on.
But no, it turns out that you just get a little more sleep (which is good as I didn’t get enough before, sometimes blogging until well after midnight), you spend a bit more time on housework (but no-one even notices unless for some reason it stops being done, so a bit of a thankless task really), faff about on the computer far too much and watch a bit more telly (quite a bit more actually down to the curse of the boxset). So, a life outside the home awaits me in the new year I’ve decided, although I’m a tad sceptical about how easy it will be for someone of my vintage to actually acquire paid employment in today’s job market – Time will tell I suppose and should make for some interesting blog posts.
But although this blog does tend to become a place for me to offload my thoughts, it’s supposed to be about music and this morning that quirky Icelandic songstress Björk was to be heard on the radio promoting a show she is to take part in later on tonight. They don’t get much more bonkers than Bjork in the world of performance but I have always had a soft spot for her right from the days when she fronted The Sugarcubes. What I remember from her little slot on the radio earlier today was something about how she believes you just have to create work based on how you are feeling at the time and that is probably the case for bloggers too, which is why I’ve gone down this route today.
A song by Bjork that immediately springs to mind is this one, It’s Oh So Quiet, which was a big hit for her in November 1995 and reached the No. 4 spot in the UK Singles Chart. I remember it well because that was the month darling daughter made an appearance in the world (yes, we’ve just celebrated her 22nd birthday). It seemed to get blanket airplay right at the time we, as new parents, were navigating that tightrope between trying to be “oh so quiet” and coping with a “riot of crying”, so all very timely. Ironically that was also the last time I was a stay-at-home person, but as anyone who has had children knows, those first few weeks and months are no picnic and unlike now there was never enough time for anything, especially sleep. Different times.
It’s Oh So Quiet by Björk:
Appropriate that Björk Guðmundsdóttir should feature in this post as my last one (link here) featured music by a Greenlander band called Nanook. She is pretty unique in the world of music and has gone on to have a career spanning four decades having developed an eclectic musical style that draws on a wide range of influences. She has also won numerous awards including five BRITs. As for the song It’s Oh So Quiet it was originally recorded by the American singer Betty Hutton in 1951 as a cover of the German song Und Jetzt Ist Es Still. As I often say around here, every day’s a school day.
So, “What’s It All About?” – It turns out that unless you are officially retired with an income to match and have no responsibilties to speak of, after a couple of months of enjoying the luxury of being at home when all your old colleagues are still beavering away on the 9 to 5, you start to hanker after a life out in the real world. Back in the days of DD’s “gap year” when she was pondering over what she wanted to do with her life, I kept labouring the point that everyone needs something to get up for, a purpose. Time to heed my own advice I think but will just make sure I finish decluttering the loft first!
Until next time….
It’s Oh So Quiet Lyrics
(Song by Hans Lang/Bert Reisfeld)
It’s. Oh. So quiet
It’s. Oh. So still
You’re all alone
And so peaceful until…
You fall in love
Zing boom
The sky up above
Zing boom
Is caving in
Wow bam
You’ve never been so nuts about a guy
You wanna laugh you wanna cry
You cross your heart and hope to die
‘Til it’s over and then
It’s nice and quiet
But soon again
Starts another big riot
You blow a fuse
Zing boom
The devil cuts loose
Zing boom
So what’s the use
Wow bam
Of falling in love
It’s. Oh. So quiet
It’s. Oh. So still
You’re all alone
And so peaceful until…
You ring the bell
Bim bam
You shout and you yell
Hi ho ho
You broke the spell
Gee. This is swell you almost have a fit
This guy is “gorge” and i got hit
There’s no mistake this is it
‘Til it’s over and then
It’s nice and quiet
But soon again
Starts another big riot
You blow a fuse
Zing boom
The devil cuts loose
Zing boom
So what’s the use
Wow bam
Of falling in love
The sky caves in
The devil cuts loose
You blow blow blow blow blow your fuse
When you’ve fallen in love
Ssshhhhhh…
Postscript:
Having just watched that video clip of Bjork singing It’s Oh So Quiet, I am reminded of the film La La Land which did so well earlier this year at the Oscars. What with the yellow dress, and the street scenes where everyone somehow spontaneously joins together in a well-choreographed dance, it is another wonderful homage to those great musical films of yesteryear.
What's It All About? 
Hi.
Looking forward to reading about where your plans take you. You’ll do well, I have no doubt about that.
Bjork is a musician I never enjoyed. Songs are really weird. Though to be honest, I haven’t heard much of her output.
It’s almost time for dinner here in my Pennsylvania home. Till next time —
LikeLiked by 1 person
At the moment I’m not sure where they’ll take me but definitely been spending too much time at home which was nice for a while but need to make plans now.
Ha ha – Yes I am aware you are in Pennsylvania which is why the next post in my American Odyssey is important to get right! An awful lot of history took place in PA and specifically Philadelphia so need to make sure I understand it all and then condense it into a couple of paragraphs – Not easy. I wonder if you can guess which songs will turn up!
LikeLike
Bruce’s “Streets Of Philadelphia”?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure it will get an honourable mention!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not a fan of Björk’s music, though she is an interesting character. Check out Dancer in the Dark by Lars von Trier, a film starring Björk and Catherine Deneuve (yes, that Catherine Deneuve).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not an awful lot of love for Bjork’s music it seems but maybe there is a male/female divide in opinion as I have just listened to Venus As A Boy on another blog and think it’s wonderful. Very strange.
Just checked out that film and it looks interesting although I’ve never seen it. Seems to have won many awards however so if I can come across it, will give it a whirl. She certainly tries her hand at lots of different things that Bjork!
LikeLike
As one who stopped working 4 years ago, I think it helps to have something that you must do each day, something that makes you get out of bed but also means you have to stay out of bed until a decent time.
I’ve just read that David Cassidy has died, will you be able to write something about him? Maybe not as heartfelt as your George Michael pieces, but certainly an appreciation from a personal point of view.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi George – Over the months I’ve gradually worked out what you’ve been doing with yourself over the last few years although I sadly missed your blog which seems to have been thoroughly enjoyed by everyone around here. Yes, I am now realising that when I lectured my daughter on the necessity of having something to get up for, it was good advice and although I have loads to get up for it is all home-based. Despite being a pretty disciplined person it is all too easy to spend that extra hour in bed, faff about on the computer for too long and make a task that should take half an hour, last a couple of hours. Nice to have all this extra time but there seems to be a fine balance between being too busy and not busy enough – I think I know what I have to do now. Didn’t think I would miss all the people as much either, but I do, and I have a wardrobe of smart clothes that might never see the light of day again at this rate!
As for David Cassidy, fear not, a post is in hand. It was obvious from the news last weekend that he was sadly not long for this world and as I was a massive fan at the age of 12 I have indeed a fair few stories to tell and songs to share. Watch this space! Thanks for dropping by.
LikeLike
Actually I now quite like Bjork!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear it!
LikeLike
Man Alive! You’ll be singing the praises of Bruce Springsteen next……………
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bjork is one of those artists who elicits completely different responses from me depending on what she’s up to. Love some songs – hate others. Love some of the things she does, the collaborations and projects, but hate others It certainly makes her interesting and unpredictable – no bad thing – and she is such a one-off. I agree, Venus As A Boy is wonderful. Sublime, even. I also love Isobel, Play Dead and Army Of Me. Do you remember that incredible ToTP performance of the latter with Skin from Skunk Anansie? I don’t think the BBC can have known what hit them!
As for working, keeping busy, etc. – well you know my thoughts and feelings – yes, definitely not a time to vegetate but to get out and do stuff now having enjoyed a well-earned rest. I totally understand about missing the people, though, as I felt the same way, coming out of working in an office with hundreds of others and now self-employed and based at home. I really missed the daily banter and sharing snippets of people’s lives and just that regular camaraderie. Discovering blogging, of course, plays a huge part in compensating for that…. even though at times it doesn’t always flow as easily as at others (again, a much shared experience round these parts!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
PS – Love the photo of you in the blue dress 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm,,. – Yes I would like to say that was me in the photo but of course it is a glamorous model all made up to look perky in the face of multiple domestic chores. In reality the average stay-at-home person (I can’t bring myself to use the words housewife or homemaker) will be dressed in much more down to earth garb and won’t be looking nearly as perky!
LikeLike
I know, what was she thinking, about to scrub the floor in those heels…..
LikeLike
You are a lot more au fait with Bjork than I C, as I’m not familiar with some of what you mention but the album I did buy by her was sublime as you say. Because she was on radio the other night she seems to be in the public consciousness at the moment but 4 decades in the biz already! How time flies.
As for having had a rest, you are right, enough now and time to get out there and do things again. Our little online business could be developed if we put in the effort but I’ve come to realise I need to do something outside the home with other people as well. Much as I love Mr WIAA, we could get really fed up with only each other for company! Great to have blogging buddies as you say which compensates, but ironically it is probably because of blogging that I find myself in this position as there ended up being not enough time in the day for everything and as the paid job became my least favourite activity in a day, it was the thing that had to go!
LikeLike
Time races away when you don’t want it to, and moves at a snail’s pace when you wish things to speed up! There are many distractions at home. I find having a schedule and sticking to it is the way to get things done.
Good luck with the new kitchen and job hunting. Björk is a unique artist and that swan dress was a scene stealer at the oscars! I’m fond of her album Vespertine.
LikeLike
Yes there seems to be a fine balance between being too busy and not busy enough. I did intend to throw myself into Mr WIAA’s business but unlike this blog, which is all mine, the business is really his so I am limited in what I can do.
Hope you’re enjoying being over at WordPress – You seem to up and running anyway and your followers have indeed followed you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just before I turned 40, I was made redundant and found myself with a lot more free time in my hands while I retrained. I know how the time slips away when you have more of it… But God, I miss that couple of years I had at home!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, I really shouldn’t complain as all too soon things will get too busy again, quiet to a riot – Why is it so hard to get the balance just right. I think the novelty of being at home finally wore off last week and I haven’t really got a new routine yet – Will get onto that in the new year for sure.
Strangely enough I haven’t done any more blogging than before which I thought would be the biggest problem – Just taking longer to do all the things I used to bomb through in a day.
LikeLike