Thursday, 18 October 2012

If life seems jolly rotten

Today, as I was driving home from town I heard this song playing on my car radio. I started to sing along to the chorus , as you do ...cheesy song or not.

words and music by Eric Idle
 
Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...
And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...
If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing.
And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...
For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.
So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath
Life's a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.
And always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the right side of life...
(Come on guys, cheer up!)
Always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the bright side of life...
(Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of life...
(I mean - what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing - you're going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of life...

I probably heard the tune dozens of times {& more} but I've never really listened to the words ...it freaked me out as suddenly got to a certain bit - you know that moment when you realise the actual lyrics...That !

ANY SONG mentioning death or dying makes me anxious . It was the second time today too !!.


In retrospect I have to laugh now, it is kind of a cheer me up song.

I was feeling very down and irritable today ... I can't use the expression 'pulling my hair out' anymore...but you get the drift.

I felt very vulnerable , deciding to attend the boys' school assembly to see their singing item {and see them not get the awards that are due to them}. 

Even going anywhere lately I feel anxious and paranoid. I see the second looks I get. I am continually wondering if my hair 'headgear' looks okay or crooked, weirdo or is scrunched and freaky. My husband wasn't here today to tell me - though the other day I was later horrified at his idea of fixing and straightening my scarf ...argggh !

Today, I couldn't help looking at another 'cancer' lady (about my age and obviously bald and wearing a CanTeen scarf and with a gauze pad taped to the back of her hand - I guessed rightly it was chemo related) .

I saw her{& hubby I presume} first in the HCF (Health fund office) in main street , then 30 mins later in the shopping mall across the road. As I was going down the escalator - there She was sitting down along the side wall, outside the loos, alone. We made eye contact and she smiled at me , I smiled back.

Then I walked over and said 'Hello'. We exchanged a few details. She thought she'd recognised me from the local cancer centre. 'Probably not' I told her - 'I am just about to start there'. Then I told her I have 'breast cancer' and she replied 'pancreatic cancer'. . She said ' I might see you around sometime'. I wished her well and off I went.

Other conversations are ...awkward. It just isn't the right word. Uncomfortable ? I don't know what to say , when people I barely know, ask me 'how am I going' or 'how am I feeling ?' People such as ... the School Principal and the boys' teacher or a random mother I've chatted to a few times. I am guessing they don't really want to hear the details of my side effects .... insomnia, flatulence, nausea, irritability, hot flashes , mood swings etc.

So, tactfully , I respond with "I am good, thanks !" The checkout guys and girls too - what is it with asking me how my day has been ?

Instead - I try not to make eye contact with anyone. Especially, now my eyelashes are sparse and my eyebrows too - coupled with my slightly crooked & turned eye, I probably look like a zombie. When I look in the mirror I see a zombie stranger.

I don't dwell too much on my appearance - seriously ! I know my hair will grow back...eventually. It could be worse, my SIL's friend just lost her foot to cancer {she has started chemo too}.

The final point - Today, I'm thankful for my new memory foam boobs and better fitting bras ...my lovely perky but comfortable soft boobs . Why I will never consider reconstruction is another post for another day.

Have you ever not realised the actual lyrics in a song ...or ones that were different to what you first thought ?


Comments (49)

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I sing this song in hard moments and it really does work to buoy you along. Good old Monty Python :-)
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1 reply · active 664 weeks ago
This song was one of the first I learned on the ukulele :)

I used to get caught when I was teaching ballet and finding songs for concerts - the lyrics were fine, but if you weren't listening properly, they sounded rude/strange/really inappropriate :)
1 reply · active 664 weeks ago
Oh Trish, it must be so hard! That song is a great reminder to stay positive!
1 reply · active 664 weeks ago
I love that song and the rendition played at the Olympics was one of my favourite parts of the ceremony. He has such surprisingly skinny legs!
A touching account of your day. You always do so well to see the positive side. X
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1 reply · active 664 weeks ago
Yes there are some songs I look up the lyrics on and go, woah, I didn't know that was being sung! :p
Keep your spirits up Trish, and here's to looking more to the bright side of life more often and especially when we feel like the dark days won't pass us by.
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this song will now be in my head all day - and rightly so! Its a great way to keep positive.. xx
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1 reply · active 664 weeks ago
I love that song.

I'm sorry you're having a rough time. I know I tend to look a little at people obviously with cancer. I don't mean it to stare. I just have a fairly strong pull, having had 4 close friends with breast cancer and 2 with leukaemia. Seeing other people both makes me think of my friends but also I feel something for the sufferer. It's not pity. But it's a warmth, a wish for health, a wish their battle is won - with the only casualities the cancer cels.

Does that make sense?
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1 reply · active 664 weeks ago
If it makes you feel any better the grocery store check out people always ask me how my day has been, too, even at 8 am which shits me even more than normal. My day's JUST STARTED, if it is in the shitter already I might as well go back to bed! It must be part of a large Grocery Store Check Out Operator Training one-oh-one. "Always greet the customer with "How how is your day going?" Next time I'll say, "Better than yours, at least I'm not at work!"

Sending you love & strength always. xo
1 reply · active 664 weeks ago
Whenever I'm having a bad day, I can find the right the kind of music to cheer me up. I'm not great with lyrics - I mishear them all the time. But I pick songs that are fun and uplifting and steer clear of anything soppy. I hope this week is better for you.
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1 reply · active 664 weeks ago
Hi Trish, I don't normally drop in on your non-wednesday posts, but reading this has let me know you a little better. Hope everything is well for you and it makes me smile knowing that you are such a positive mum and lady!
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I do love that song, it reminds me of my dad. Here is another song for you - it always springs to mind when I think of you xx http://youtu.be/UF5V2PEujqs

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I'm often amazed at what musician's are singing when I wake up and pay attention.
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This was an amazing post. Thank you!
The way songs can affect you at different times is incredible - thank goodness for Monty Python, hey.
Take care of yourself.
Vic xx
PS - I found you via FYBF : )

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1 reply · active 664 weeks ago
Gentle hugs my friend
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1 reply · active 664 weeks ago
I cherish Lyrics in songs Trish especially those of Joni Mitchell - so evocative and so poetic ... so different to Monte Python but so similar too. They're relevant and real. When this is over for you and you're walking down the street with your soft boobs and your hair grown back and without the burden of wondering, you will be so amazed at your inner strength.xx
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1 reply · active 663 weeks ago
I've never actually listened to those lyrics either! I had no idea that the verses said things like that.....I only know the chorus! I suppose I should really listen more. It's quite possible that I really like songs that have terrible lyrics and vise versa!
Big hugs
xx
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1 reply · active 663 weeks ago
I am always getting the lyrics to songs wrong but I sing along anyways, I too never listened closely to the words of that song and only knew the chorus. Your positivity in this time is absolutely inspiring x
Stacey-Lee
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1 reply · active 663 weeks ago
You're a beautiful person Trish, balding & flatuent inclusive ;) Always do look on that bright side cause the lower we get the higher we get to aim!
Thinking of you and your beautiful babies!
Xx
Suzi
(Oh and thank you for your kind words - miricles do happen, she is 15weeks!!)
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1 reply · active 663 weeks ago
Your posts are always so open and honest. Thank you for sharing.
1 reply · active 663 weeks ago
I must admit I didn't know all the lyrics to that song too - but that's not new, I'm sure I could come up with heaps of cases where I completely misunderstood or misheard the lyrics to certain songs! I'm also intrigued by your memory foam boobs too...is that totally inappropriate? Thinking of you and wishing you well with your upcoming treatment. Take care Trish.
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1 reply · active 663 weeks ago
Do you know how much I just love you more after reading this post? I had the video on whilst reading it and Trish, I am so, so very proud and grateful to have met you.
I will have that song in my head for the rest of the day but unlike other ones this'll keep a smile on my face.
Just sending you lots of hugs and love right now xxx
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1 reply · active 663 weeks ago
I had never stopped to listen to the actual lyrics before either, it has always just been a catchy tune that easily gets stuck in your head.
I too dislike checkout people, the introduction of self serve checkouts was the best things since sliced bread in my opinion.
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1 reply · active 663 weeks ago
keep on singing that song Trish! Sending lots of love and prayers for you all xx
1 reply · active 663 weeks ago
its so hard NOT to feel happier with that song!
you are here telling us your story, that is what is most important
xxx
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1 reply · active 663 weeks ago
This makes me laugh, I remember my mum singing this when she was having a bad day with us 5 kids, particularly the lifes a piece of shit bit! I had it stuck in my head after you posted it, it really does make you feel better.
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1 reply · active 663 weeks ago

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