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What I'm writing in YEAR OF THE DOG

I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
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"A Living Prayer" sung by Alfie Boe

Captain's Log, Stardate 03.19.2012

I watched the 25th anniversary Les Miserables DVD a few days ago, and ever since then I’ve become a total fangirl for the singer who played Valjean, Alfie Boe. His voice is FLIPPIN’ AMAZING. Don’t believe me? Watch this:



I was literally gasping after watching him sing “Bring Him Home.”

So I bought Alfie’s CD You’ll Never Walk Alone and also Bring Him Home. (His new album, Alfie, will release in June in the US, although I ordered a copy from the UK (here, in case you’re interested) because it has one song on it that isn’t on the US version— “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” with Michael Ball. In the US version, it’s sung with Nick Jonas, who while cuter, does not have as amazing a voice as Michael Ball.)

I thought I’d listen to Bring Him Home more since it’s got mostly musical theater songs, but since I’ve been on deadline, I’ve found myself listening more to You’ll Never Walk Alone, which has a lot of opera songs in languages I don’t understand, which makes it perfect background music when I’m working.

But there are a few English songs on You’ll Never Walk Alone, and one of them has become one of my favorite songs, “A Living Prayer.” The original was sung by Allison Kraus as an acoustic version, but I’m finding I like Alfie’s orchestrated version better. It just seems more powerful and full of the awe of God. Plus listening to him hit the high notes is simply divine.

I can’t embed the video, but here’s the link and here are the lyrics. I hope you like it as much as I do!

"A Living Prayer"

In this world I walk alone with no place to call my home
But there's One who holds my hand
The rugged road through barren lands
The way is dark, the road is steep
But He's become my eyes to see
The strength to climb, my griefs to bear
This Savior lives inside me there

In Your love I find release
A haven from my unbelief
Take my life and let me be
A living prayer my God to thee

In these trials of life I find
Another Voice inside my mind
He comforts me and bids me live
Inside the love the Father gives

In your love I find release
A haven from my unbelief
Take my life and let me be
A living prayer my God to thee
take my life and let me be
A living prayer my God to thee
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Comments

Melody said…
Les Miz is awesome! I like the 10th anniversary edition best. But the 25th was good too. That is an great song.
Tue Mar 20, 09:28:00 PM 2012
Camy Tang said…
I never saw the 10th anniversary edition, although I listened to it on CD. It was neat to hear Lea Salonga play Eponine!
Wed Mar 21, 12:35:00 PM 2012
Melody said…
You have to see the 10 anniversary edition. I love Lea Salongia as Eponine. So emotional.

I think my favorite Valjean song is the one where he says something like " How will I face my fellow man again, How will I face myself again" It really highlights his internal struggle.
Wed Mar 21, 11:03:00 PM 2012
Camy Tang said…
Oooh, yes, "Who Am I"! I love that song.
Fri Mar 23, 06:13:00 AM 2012
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