Sitting in the dark, avoiding sleep … listening to podcasts of old “This American Life” episodes … pondering why people (and not just sk-HAWT) think that poetry is weird, but really get into music and lyrics; especially since lyrics are simply poetry set to melody.

Okay, sure, for some people music isn’t about the words, it’s the beat … but to me, the beat, the melody, that’s just the tease; the bait; the hook … but … it’s the words that really draw me in …

I can’t believe I’m going to draw from a cheesy rom-com, but in the movie “Music and Lyrics“, the characters Sophie Fisher (as played by Drew Barrymore) and Alex Fletcher (played by Hugh Grant) have the following exchange:

Sophie Fisher: A melody is like seeing someone for the first time. The physical attraction. Sex.
Alex Fletcher: I so get that.
Sophie Fisher: But then, as you get to know the person, that’s the lyrics. Their story. Who they are underneath. It’s the combination of the two that makes it magic.

A well-crafted poem is musical, even without the melody, and for me, that’s where the draw is. When a poem resonates in my head, not just from the subject matter of the poem itself, but from the way that it’s written; its meter, its tone … it’s a hook that’s hard to let go, almost like an addiction.

RANCID - FALL BACK DOWN

Don’t worry about me, I’m gonna make it alright
Got my enemies cross-haired and in my sight
I take a bad situation gonna make it right
In the shadows of darkness I stand in the light

You see it’s our style to keep it true
I’ve had a bad year, a lot to go through
I’ve been knocked out, beat down, black and blue
She’s not the one coming back for you
She’s not the one coming back for you

If I fall back down, you’re gonna help me back up again
If I fall back down, you’re gonna be my friend
If I fall back down, you’re gonna help me back up again
If I fall back down, you’re gonna be my friend

It takes disaster to learn a lesson
You’re gonna make it through the darkest night
Some people betray one and cause treason
We’re gonna make everything alright

Well the worst of times, now, they don’t phase me
Even if I look and act really crazy
I went way down, she betrayed me
Now my vision is no longer hazy

I’m very lucky to have my crew
They stood by me when she flew
I’ve been knocked out, beat down, black and blue
She’s not the one coming back for you
She’s not the one coming back for you

If I fall back down, you’re gonna help me back up again
If I fall back down, you’re gonna be my friend
If I fall back down, you’re gonna help me back up again
If I fall back down, you’re gonna be my friend

If I fall back down, you’re gonna help me back up again
If I fall back down, you’re gonna be my friend
If I fall back down, you’re gonna help me back up again
If I fall back down, you’re gonna be my friend

If I fall back down, you’re gonna help me back up again
If I fall back down, you’re gonna be my friend
If I fall back down, you’re gonna help me back up again
If I fall back down, you’re gonna be my friend

If I fall back down, you’re gonna help me back up again
If I fall back down, you’re gonna be my friend
If I fall back down, you’re gonna help me back up again
If I fall back down, you’re gonna be my friend

Ever feel like you should post something to your blog, but you have nothing to say? Seriously … anything would be better than what I got right now.

But no; here I sit, laptop in … well … my lap. Feet stretched out on the couch, bad sitcoms on the tube … make that really, really, really, really, REALLY bad sitcoms.

At least I get to see a commercial starring a cow with wings.

USGP Cyclocross, presented by Crank Brothers, round #1

Elite Men

• Mitchell Peterson - Team Devo - 40th place (9th place U23).
• Sam Krieg - Goble Knee/Siena Development - 42nd place (okay, he’s Idaho, but he races the UTCX Series, so we’ll claim him).

Elite Women

• Kathy Sherwin - Vela Bella-Kona - 13th place.

Juniors (17-18)

• Connor O’Leary - MonaVie-Cannondale - 10th place.

Masters 35+

• Jon Gallagher - Cole Sport Racing - 9th place.
• Bob Saffell - Rocky Mountain Cycling Club (Team Revolution) - 46th place.

USGP Cyclocross, presented by Crank Brothers, round #2

Elite Men

• Mitchell Peterson - Team Devo - 41st place (10th place U23).
• Sam Krieg - Goble Knee/Siena Development - 42nd place.

Elite Women

• Kathy Sherwin - Vela Bella-Kona - 14th place.

Juniors (17-18)

• Connor O’Leary - MonaVie-Cannondale - 12th place.

Masters 35+

• Jon Gallagher - Cole Sport Racing - 13th place.
• Art O’Connor - MonaVie-Cannondale - 29th place.
• Bob Saffell - Rocky Mountain Cycling Club (Team Revolution) - 44th place.

Congrats to one and all for outstanding performances with the big dogs. Extra congrats to Mitchell Peterson who threw down at the NCCA Collegiate National Mountain Bike Championships on Friday, garnering a 5th place to round out the podium before his strong U23 performances in Louisville.

Just under 10 miles through Holladay & Cotton Bottom, then west into Murray and home … short ride is better than no ride, but my legs definitely felt a little flatter than yesterday, even though my aveage speed was higher (and average heart rate was lower).