Word High July: Alaala, a tribute to Daft Punk’s ‘RAM’

via areadingwritr

Salut! I’m back, back, back again with another Word High July post. It’s currently over, but I still have a few words to go. This brings us to:

Alaala: a memory, keepsake, remembrance

Now, I had so many ideas to write, but I decided to write a tribute to Daft Punk’s last and greatest album, Random Access Memories or simply RAM. When I returned to writing short stories a few months ago, this album was my constant background musical companion, as I wrote late into the night. This album taught me about music layers, composition, and appreciation. It makes one look beyond the lyrics, ponder about life and love. It allows you to remember that joy is ever present, whether in dancing, loving, or living. It makes you pause and think.

I can’t speak music’s language (yet), but RAM is teaching me so much after all these years. I’m in no way endorsing DP or encouraging you to go out and buy/listen to RAM; I’m just in my musical feels. 😃 🎶

So, this piece is dedicated to my favorite album of all time, RAM. The 13 blue bold words are the titles of the songs featured on the album. The line “French Touch was rooted in silver and gold” refers to Thomas and Guy-Man’s helmets and their contribution to French House music.

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (August 2021):  

Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; 
yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.  

Jonah 2:4 ⛪

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Welcome to PSG, Leo!

The shirt is new and may feel a bit strange, but you’ll grow into it.

Welcome to PSG. Now, go shatter records, write new ones, and create history.

So excited! This season belongs to the Ligue 1 as ALL eyes will be on Leo.

With that being said, this is going to be perhaps the last football post on this blog for the time being as I’ll be reopening the football blog I started in 2012, but closed somewhere in 2017 or so. Of late, I’ve been gravitating towards writing and talking about the beautiful game, and I can’t fill La Petite Muse with all of my football musings/rantings, so I’ll be doing the football blog for me. It’s something that I need to fulfill.

Thank you for putting up with my football musings! 💙

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (August 2021):  

Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; 
yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. 

Jonah 2:4 ⛪

Titles or Covers That Made Want to Read/Buy the Book 📚

Ciao! And welcome to Top Ten Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday is brought to you by That Artsy Reader Girl.

I’m a SUCKER for a beautiful, intriguing, or mysterious cover done right, that I tend not to look up what the story is about, and I may end up disappointed, but it’s all about the cover. Sometimes, the prettier the cover, the horrible the story (at times). It’s like the pretty cover makes up for the lack of story. Same goes for fancy dancy titles.

Anyway, let’s get to this.

1. Arsenic and Adobo (Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery #1) by Mia P. Manansala 

This post is currently being scheduled in July for August and at the moment of said schedule, I started this book, but abandoned it on the 3rd chapter as I wasn’t feeling it. Hopefully, I’ll return to it at some point, but not today. I liked the title and thought it would’ve been a cool read.

2. Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto 

I love this cover a lot! The colors, the font, the eleganza of it all! The ‘A’ is giving me The Scarlet Letter vibes for whatever reason. 

3. The Last Paradise by Antonio Garrido

This cover looks intriguing! The story is set in Russia during the US Depression era, and I thought it unique. On second thought, it actually looks like The Great Gatsby set in the US Depression era rather than a Jazz one.

4. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

I got this book for 3 things: the word ‘Paris’ in it, the word ‘library’ in it, and of course, the pretty cover, so I picked it up for both title and cover. I’m not sure when I’ll get to the book, though.

5. Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am by Julia Cooke

I’ll love to have a copy of this book soon! The cover is beautiful, but I look forward to reading about Cooke’s account as a Pan Am stewardess during the Vietnam War.

6. Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

The cover alone convinced me that I need to read the story. The colors clash so beautifully, that even if the story disappoints, I’ll always have the cover.

7. Mending Fences by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Christian Fiction is not my cup of coffee, but this cover commands attention, so I couldn’t pass it by. Amish stories tend to be a little repetitive, but I’ll give this one the benefit of the doubt.

8. Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado 

This cover is novel perfection, but I don’t know what I’ll be getting into once I pass the cover. 

9. Sweethand (Island Bites #1) by N.G. Peltier 

Here’s the thing, I love this cover, because it’s so well done, and it gives off an island vibe given that it’s actually set on local soil right here (Trinidad). I know I’ll end up disappointed – I can feel it – but I had to choose a local author to read, so here we are. The cover is beautifully illustrated, and the book is the talk around town.

10. Bel-Ami by Guy de Maupassant

This haunting, yet beautiful portrait of George Duroy staring into the windows of my soul is the sole reason why I wanted to read this book – and look how that turned out. And the mustache was a plus! Oh, how shallow I am!

Given my experience with beautiful book covers, I am certain that some, if not all, of these books are not going to be as good as the cover. Over to you: have you ever bought/read a book based solely on the cover?

** All covers via GoodReads

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (August 2021):  

Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; 
yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. 

Jonah 2:4 ⛪

Books I Read In One Sitting (Or Would Have If I Had The Time) 📚

Ciao! And welcome to Top Ten Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday is brought to you by The Artsy Ready Girl.

I’ve read a lot of books in one sitting over the years when I had enough time on my hands. For this Top Ten, I’ll be listing books I would’ve like to read in one sitting if I had the time from my TBR. I’m not reading a lot lately, but I’m looking forward to the personal reading marathon I’ve set for next month. Let’s begin…

1. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

I don’t know what this book is about, and I don’t want to know. I just want to read it in one sitting.

2. The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

I’ll love to sit and devour this book in one sitting, but I’m still reading ‘The Silent Patient’ by this author, and since my reading is all over the place lately, I’m certain I won’t be reading this book until year-end or so.

3. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

His books tend to be longer than an ocean bed. I’m not excited to read this book. I just want to read it and get it over with.

4. Bel-Ami by Guy de Maupassant

I once read a short story by Guy, but I didn’t like it. I thought I’ll give him a second chance with this book. I wanted to watch the movie, but when I saw the leading actors – Robert Pattinson and Uma Thurman – I passed, and decided to watch paint dry instead. 

5. The Trial of Gilles de Rais by Georges Bataille

Gilles de Rais is “The Original Bluebeard” and is considered to be the first serial killer in recorded history. It’s been a while since I’ve read a True Crime, so I’m looking forward to this one.

6. Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life by Justine Picardie 

This book has been on my TBR for tooooo looooonnnngggg!!

7. Agents of Babylon: What the Prophecies of Daniel Tell Us about the End of Days by Dr. David Jeremiah

This book is not really a one-sitting book as I’ll have to take in and absorb the information presented to take notes, but given the time I have – which is not a lot – it’ll be awesome to read it in one go.

8. Antony and Cleopatra by Adrian Goldsworthy

This book… I have so many questions where it concerns Cleopatra’s reign, so I’m hoping that this book can provide answers to some of those questions. 

9. Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic

I simply like Mr. Vujicic, and he’s got a good sense of humor! I’ll love to sit down with this book, perhaps after the reading marathon, and read it in one sitting.

10. A Treasury of Foolishly Forgotten Americans by Michael Farquhar 

This book is – hopefully – right up my alley! These are the kind of books I tend to get lost in. 

What book have you read in one sitting, or will like to?

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (July 2021):  

And rend your heart, and not your garments, 
and turn unto the Lord your God: 
for he is gracious and merciful, 
slow to anger, 
and of great kindness, 
and repenteth him of the evil. 

Joel 2:13 💙

Marchons, marchons!

There’s a lot of things to say about France’s lackluster display in this competition and so many fingers to point and poke the blame at for those responsible, but after all is said, done, and weighed, it just was not to be.

We win together, we lose together.

In victory and defeat, we stand together.

Marchons, marchons!

Allez Les Bleus!

Photo via @equipedefrance

On another note, I made a list of the teams that I’ll like to see get far in this EURO: Denmark, Spain, Germany, England, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, and France, obviously. Netherlands and France are out. Today, England or Germany goes home. Still, so many exciting games left, but I’m rooting for Italy to be champions because of Roberto Mancini.

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (June 2021):  

Love not the world, 
neither the things that are in the world. 
If any man love the world, 
the love of the Father is not in him. 

1 John 2:15 🌎

Euro 2020: France edge past Germany

And we’re off and running in this tournament after winning 1-0 against Germany thanks to a Mat Hummels’ OG, but overall, France had a pretty good game. I was disappointed that Deschamps didn’t play Giroud for he would’ve been perfect for this game.

There were some winning performances from the likes of Kanté, Hernandez, Varane, and even Lloris. Pogba was given the Man of the Match award, but my MOTM was Griezmann. He had a spectacular game!

Focus now shift to Hungary on Saturday. They’re a tough opponent, so France have their work cut out for them.

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (June 2021):  

Love not the world, 
neither the things that are in the world. 
If any man love the world, 
the love of the Father is not in him. 

1 John 2:15 🌎

Olivier Giroud on the cusp of making history.

Earlier this evening, I sat down with my sisters to catch our favorite team’s last friendly match (against Bulgaria) before the big tournament (Euro 2020). Les Bleus won 3-0 with a firecracker from Griezmann and a delightful brace from Giroud. It was a nice win, the only downside being Benzema’s injury. I’m not sure how serious it is as yet, but I’m hoping for the best.

A few photos from the match via fff.fr:

As for Giroud, he’s only 6 goals away from becoming France’s top scorer:

1. Thierry Henry – 51

2. Olivier Giroud – 46

3. Michel Platini – 41

4. Antoine Griezmann – 37

5. David Trezeguet – 34

Definitely rooting for my boy! 

GIF via gifer.com

I’m still contemplating covering the Euro for the blog, but I’m still uncertain. However, I’ll be supporting Les Bleus win or lose, so I may cover their games if I’m up to it. 

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (June 2021):  

Love not the world, 
neither the things that are in the world. 
If any man love the world, 
the love of the Father is not in him. 

1 John 2:15 🌎

Welcome back, Karim Benzema!

After five and a half years of being exiled from the French national team, Karim Benzema is back after coach Didier Deschamps handed him a shock recall. I’m not willing to go into details surrounding Benzema’s absence from Les Bleus for you can find all of that on the internet, but him being back is interesting. Over the years, he has been petty by poking fun of Olivier Giroud causing football fans to take sides, and this childish behavior did not sit well with me.

And some of us have been questioning Benzema’s return: Was this actually necessary? seeing that we were fine without him all along. Will he cause chaos in the dressing room? Many Les Bleus fans have ugly, scarred memories of pitch and behind-the-scenes bust-ups. However, I’m a fan of second chances, so I’m giving Mr. F1 the benefit of the doubt.

All there is left to say is welcome back, Benzema. Take this second chance and run with it.

In other football news, I’m thinking of covering the Euro 2020 competition as I did the World Cup in 2018, but I’m not certain how that would fit into my busyish schedule. If I do cover the Euro, it’ll mostly be Les Bleus’ games, but that remains to be seen.

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (May 2021): 

Turn ye now from your evil ways, 
and from your evil doings: 
but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, 
saith the Lord. 

Zechariah 1:4 👂

What is essential is invisible to the eyes.

Of all the books I read last year, for some reason, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince left a long-lasting impression upon me, despite it not being a 5-star book for me. And that’s the beauty of books.

In Le Petit Prince, a very good piece of advice is shared with the prince by an unlikely creature: the fox.

Apparently, the fox is smarter than we think. He outfoxes the competition.
GIF via Google Search

Here’s what the story fox actually said:

Long after the book was closed, these words remained with me and the lesson: seeing is a matter of the heart. The quote can be interpreted 99 ways to Sunday, but for me, it’s a reminder that things can be seen and understood if we approach it with feeling. The flowers saw only their outward beauty, so they lost out on what could’ve been a beautiful experience for them. If we keep focusing on someone’s outward appearance, we’ll never get to fully experience what could be a lovely friendship with that person.

There is a reason why God searches our hearts (Jeremiah 12:3, 17:10; 1 Kings 8:39).

The most valuable things such as love, faith, hope, and friendship cannot be seen with the naked eye, yet, we know they exist for we can feel and value them.

On a lighter note, I won’t be doing a lot of book reviews/rants this year. I don’t have the time or energy for it. I’m currently reading 15 books… don’t ask why, but I’m enjoying reading at a leisure pace.

As you look forward to the rest of the week, reflect on the fox’s words.

 

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (April 2021): 

And it shall come to pass in the 
day of the Lord's sacrifice, 
that I will punish the princes, 
and the king's children, 
and all such as are 
clothed with strange apparel.

 Zephaniah 1:8 👚

‘One More Time’ for Daft Punk!

Daft Punk retired earlier this year on Feb 22 after 28 years in the music business. I didn’t actually grow up listening to this French-based duo, but I got my life from some of their music. Werk! Anyways, the helmet-wearing duo created some of the best electronic music I’ve ever heard, and they were fashion from helmet to boots.

via pinterest

Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter defined house music worldwide. It’s a genre I came to appreciate whenever I felt like dancing. There are so many things I can say about DP, but anyone can find that on the internet. Their focus was always on the music, so it’s only fitting to talk about that.

I can’t quite remember which song made me really appreciate DP, but I remember loving “Around the World”, the second single from their debut studio album. When I was young, I wanted to be a DJ, and I’d comply a list of tunes that I thought was the top of the tops and have them burned to a CD which I’ll then blast at full volume on weekends. So, this song brought out my inner DJ despite the lyrics being nothing, but the title of the song times 144!

GIF via gfycat

“Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” and “Technologic” are perfect siblings, but “Human After All” was on another level. Despite the simplicity of the lyrics, I get the overall message that we are all human, and we shouldn’t discriminate against each other. We all have a lot of work to do on ourselves especially where the heart is concerned as we’re not perfect. But that’s a topic for another day.

GIF via Giphy

Then DP’s 4th and final studio album Random Access Memories came out. I recall it being the coolest album I’ve heard in years and just had to get my hands on a copy. And when I got my copy? Let’s just say that I didn’t listen to another album for a very long time. I played the album while writing, in the office, and even to bed. From the opener (“Give Life Back to Music”) to the closing (“Contact”), the album was simply a modern masterpiece. It deserves to be hung where the Mona Lisa currently hangs. It was a mind-blower that breathed life into music. If I were to comply a list of the 100 Greatest Albums of All Time, RAM will definitely be in the top 10. It is that elegant, that polished, that excitable.

Thanks for the memories Daft Punk! It was a great ride while it lasted, so let’s hear it for DP ‘One More Time’!

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (April 2021): 

And it shall come to pass in the 
day of the Lord's sacrifice, 
that I will punish the princes, 
and the king's children, 
and all such as are 
clothed with strange apparel.

Zephaniah 1:8 👚