Happy Friday!

I am mostly, if not all the way, moved in! Now I just have to unpack all of my stuff and put it away! *cries*

Letters to the Editor

We hear back from the most interesting person in the Empire!

Here at the Underground, we try not to have favorites among all of the people we report on, but even the darling of the South, Atlanta Georgia, has warmed the cockles of our lead editor’s heart. Here’s her response to our last letter.

“From the desk of Atlanta Georgia

Office of the Ambassador to Earth

600 Peachtree St NE

USA, Earth

Lead Editor of the Underground News

Hole-in-the-wall, near the coffee pot

Hiding in my Office

Dear Editor,

Hello again friend, and glad tidings to your staff! It was quite lovely to hear from y’all in the last issue of the Underground. (“Y’all” is a southern slang term for “you” and “all”). As promised, here is the track listing from the CD I sent y’all last month and the meaning behind them.

1. End of the Line by The Traveling Wilburys- I love this song for several reasons, but the foremost being that it brings back memories from my childhood. When I was born, this was my parent’s second marriage apiece, so I grew up with songs from a completely different generation. I had records, tapes, CD’s and finally digital copies of my music. This was one of my dad’s favorite songs.
2. Homeless by Paul Simon with Ladysmith Black Mambazo- This was from my mother’s favorite CDs. I loved the vocals when I was little, but now the song holds a different meaning for me.  The whole Graceland album was recorded and released during the time of Apartheid, when humans weren’t equal simply because of the color of their skin. Since selling myself in to slavery, I am now “homeless”. I don’t hold citizenship from my home country, nor do I hold my master’s citizenship. I float in a state of limbo, holding on dearly to what I can before the strong winds come and take everything away.
3. Turn the World Around by Harry Belafonte- Since I can’t change my own circumstances, I’ve decided to use my own power to help where I can. Just because we are different doesn’t mean we can’t make the world or universe a better place to live.
4. Daddy Played the Banjo by Steve Martin- The banjo (the most prominent instrument in this song) I feel is the most majestic of instruments. It’s quite calming, yet can also be quite exciting. I love this song for the twist in the middle. I hope this me; making music and hoping someone somewhere is listening to me.
5. Firework by Katy Perry- This sometimes is what gets me up in the morning. The thought that I can show the world what I’m worth as I go out with a bang each night. Also, sparkles.
6. Don’t Rain on My Parade by the Glee Cast- I’m very timid when it comes to meetings, especially with our military guys. I do hope that one day I can correct this. In the meantime, I imagine kicking stuff over while singing this song.
7. Summon the Heroes by John Williams-  Every 4 years, the governments of Earth come together for a few days to let their best athletes compete in a series of sporting events. This was the main song from the 1996 summer games held in Atlanta (the city, not my head)! John Williams is my favorite classical composer, and I love the trumpeting fanfare. It reminds me of warriors riding to battle.
8. Haka (Ka Mate) by the All Blacks- If I could do one last thing before dying I would do this: see the All Blacks perform a Haka. The All Blacks are a sports team from an island country called New Zealand. The Haka is a war chant, like an invitation to battle. The Haka is performed before each game, and the All Blacks rarely lose. Now that I think about it, if I see the All Blacks do the Haka, I might just die from happiness. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdMCAV6Yd0Y
9. Rhinestone Cowboy by Glen Campbell- Watching Glen Campbell perform his song live on TV one last time was the last thing I watched before I left home. It’s a bitter sweet song to me and another one of my father’s favorite songs. In a way, I consider myself to be a rhinestone cowboy, but I’ll let you derive your own meaning from the song.
10. Rainbow Connection by Weezer and Hayley Williams- Another childhood memory. I like to listen to this while starting off a porch and into the mountain wilderness. Or at least pretend to.
11. The Stink Spirit by Joe Hisashi- I love the movie Spirited Away and I love this song in particular. This song is a metaphor for hard work because it comes at a time in Spirited Away that the main character has to do a particularly unpleasant task but is rewarded greatly for her efforts. One day, Underground staff, we shall sit down and watch the movie Spirited Away.
12. So What by P!nk- This is for the days when I just want to kick over trash cans and yell “Fuck” at the top of my lungs.
13. What Planet is this?! by The Seatbelts- This is for the days when I need to get up and feel like a badass. Then I realize that I AM in fact a badass, and can carry on with the rest of my day. Also, I like this type of Jazz.
14. The Man with the Big Sombrero by Pink Martini- This is possibly my favorite group. The whole point of the song is talking about the man with the big sombrero in the market and how he keeps the ladies shaded in the summer or dry when it rains. But I love the style and I love the lead singer.
15. The Creationist by Kerli- Last two songs! Sometimes I forget that I carry some semblance of power. This helps to remind me that I do. I am a woman, and I am a creationist.
16. Por Medio de la Lectura by Los Amparito- I have no idea how I found this song. Its slightly strange sounding, quirky, and all around wonderful. I think it describes me perfectly.
17. Jessica (Top Gear theme)- I lied! The long mix from my absolute favorite TV show featuring 3 middle aged men that dick/faff about in cars and pretend to be a serious television program.