About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Z is for The End

I've been thinking about the end of this Round 7 of ABC Wednesday and wondering how I could make my post somewhat unique. The letter Z (zee in the USA and zed in Canada) is the last letter of the alphabet and the symbolic end to each round of ABCW. And in a way, I'm feeling anxious to get this round over with for more than one reason. So I'm posting early.

This week also represents the absolute and bitter end to a relationship that was resurrected over two years ago with grandiose hopes of love reunited. Deep down inside, the love is still there, but for specific reasons the relationship cannot continue. To represent this Z(ed) week, I've chosen a song written in 1967 by Jim Morrison of The Doors, which is about his breakup with a girlfriend.

Structurally, the song crescendos to three separate mini-climaxes separated by slower sections of half-spoken and half-sung lyrics before building to an enormous psychedelic climax right after when Jim Morrison sings "meet me at the back of the blue bus" verse. (Wikipedia)

Listening to this song takes me right back to the 60s and the dances at university when everyone (or almost everyone) was high on booze, dope, or both. I can see myself slow dancing in the smoke-filled basement of the Sigma Chi frat house with my boyfriend, totally oblivious to everything and everyone except this music.

Those of you who "were there" in the 60s will remember this song and the fact that it was used in the opening of the 1979 movie "Apocalypse Now" while those of you who are a tad younger might recall it being used three times in "The Simpsons." It's also been used in other movies or TV episodes, so if it sounds familiar to you...well, now you know. Sit back, relax, and groove to this shortened 1967 live-on-Canadian TV psychedelic rendition of The End.





20 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

Whew. Well, that was an interesting experience, although very confusing. I do not remember this song.
I remember the sixties, or parts of the 60s. I remember Jim Morrison (wasn't he luvly?) and The Doors. I was never any good at slow dancing, and I never saw Apocalypse Now, and I really have forgotten a lot of the 60s, but, still, one would suppose...
Anyway, it's a very good take on the letter Z as The End, Leslie, and I hope you'll still be participating in ABC Wednesday, because you bring so much to the meme.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Powell River Books said...

That's one of the things that I need to change in my speech when I move back and forth over the border. Zee in Bellingham and zed in Powell River. Actually, it isn't that hard to remember. - Margy

Beverley Baird said...

What a difficult decision. I hope all is well with you. ATake care of yourself!
Great choice for the last of this round. Don't remember that song but certainly remember the Doors.

Sylvia K said...

Great, if somewhat sad post for the Z day, Leslie. I do remember the Doors, of course, and Jim Morrison. Great! I hope this year is a chance to pick up the pieces and move away from the sadness and hurt of the past year. Holding good thoughts for you!

Sylvia

Roger Owen Green said...

When John Lennon was killed, I called the local radio station and requested this very song, which was played.

Kay-the song is the last cut on the first Doors album; it's about 12 minutes long, tho the movie version was a little more than half that long.

But, Leslie - shouldn't the post be Ze End? ;-)

Carver said...

Great post for Z day. I have the Doors album with that song. I listened to part of the youtube you posted but I think I'll dig out the album and listen to the whole thing. Yes I still listen to vinyl sometimes. Take care, Carver

Hildred said...

A good choice for Z, Leslie, but sad....

Richard Lawry said...

Just remember, "Z" isn't the end it just signals a new beginning

An Arkies Musings

??? said...

I love that song. I heard it the first time when I watched Apocalpyse Now and I was very impressed by it, it still gives me goosebumps. I own most The Doors albums on vinyl because of it.
I hope that things will get better for you, sometimes it really is better to end things.

photowannabe said...

What a sad song and very haunting. I'm sorry this is The End for you but hopefully the start of a happy new chapter in your life. Thanks for being so candid and sharing your journey with us.

EG CameraGirl said...

Such an appropriate post for you, Leslie. NOW I hope you can move on to new beginnings! :)) All the best, Leslie!

Reader Wil said...

A worthy end of the alphabeth!

jabblog said...

A neat and final end. Now on to new beginnings and a more optimistic future.

Tumblewords: said...

A clever end. I remember those days (or some of them). And just think, next week ABC will start over on a new path! A good thing. A new year. A new round. Oh, yes!

Joy said...

Any excuse for a Doors song is a good one. As one alphabet comes to an end another one starts. Life and letters merging in your post. Wishing you hope and happiness.

nancygrayce said...

I'm sorry that it's the very end. At least you took the chance! Is it hard getting all his stuff out? I just hate that for you. I hope you heal, dance, laugh and love again. The right one is there......you can just seldom go back.

Make a trip down to Florida in the summer and we'll sit on the beach with our glasses of wine and solve all the problems of the world! :)

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Some what a sad post :-( but you gave it your all .. I know the feeling about Love being there too.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I do hope you have a better year, Leslie. Thinking of you. x

Trubes said...

Dear Leslie, I know now what an awful year you've had and I wish you joy and peace in this new year...All the hurt will pass because you're one plucky lady...
It's good to look forward, not back, because you never know, just what's around the corner!
Lot's of love winging it's way across the Ocean, from a very sunny Liverpool UK.

Di.xx

Jinksy said...

I'm reminded of Khalil Gebran's words - "Every end is a new beginning"...