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Midsized Eras

by Optional

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1.
Track 01:06
2.
Chante 01:22
Chante une chanson, parce que je peux. Français brisé, je coupe le feu. Dans une erreur, en désaccord. À propos quelque chose ou de rien. Seule est très froide et serait mandatoire! En juste un moment quand l'ami départ. Peut-être en grande façon, et peut-être en n'importe façon. Je ne sais pas pourquoi. Je ne sais pas qu'est-ce qu'y arrive. Je devrais le arrêter maintenant.
3.
Wasted 06:07
Wasted dollar, making beauty in my memory. The roads have sure outgrown their clothes, plates drift on carelessly. A place and situation I want to return to time and time again. Short communications say that it's all over now. Check reports before you watch the mission falling down. Something less different from these two is lost and never found. Wasted dollar, making beauty in my memory. The roads, they've sure outgrown their clothes, plates drift on carelessly. A place and situation I want to return to time and time again. Short communications say that it's all over now. Check reports before you watch the mission falling down. Something less different from these two is lost and never found. He never looked another way before he roamed. I walked on gelatin all day 'til I went home. If not with me, I thought you wanted to be alone. I wished to visit among deer aside the road. Without the value that I had, have I gone broke? I don't know. I looked for luck and there was nothing to claim. I never saw it again. If I ever saw you again. Turned to where the big dogs lie and never thought a thing. Everyone was waiting for a reverted feeling. But one was fleeting and no more. Can I only love myself? Souls feel a lot of need. Oh, I don't know, no. Music and systems and other commonalities. Clutched so desperately. In twelve months, can I see a change? I think so. In no time, all apart again. I will entertain! I thought there was another life to be part of. It's something so sweet, so neat, and I never let it fly. And I can see the way you show. I dropped a frown and let it go. And I said, "Hey there, friend, won't you cry for me?" Maybe I just want to know. I never thought it would be at home all along. I thought it could be called. No!
4.
Everybody wants to know where they're going, where were going. They help us. They lead us. Sometimes it seems they need us. Very bluntly, off we go. We are free an we are running. It pleases the masses when we all pay our taxes. It's a brand new day but one cannot live alone. We can't. And we tried and we tried until the music died. Lost my keyboard and my love of the sea. Never looked for it and where could I find... ? Everyone was looking for me. Pieces go together and they don't fall down. Do you see it in the eyes of the people in disguise? Shoo doodadedoo dadoo. Dadoo dadoo dadoo, dadoo. Dadoo dadoo dadoo, dadoo. Dadoo dadoo dadoo, dadoo. Dadoo dadoo dadoo, dadoo. Dadoo dadoo dadoo, dadoo. Dadoo dadoo dadoo, dadoo. Dadoo dadoo dadoo, dadoo. Ah lahlahlah ahhhh dah doo. Dadoo dadoo, dadoo dadoo, dadoo dadoo, dadoo dadoo. Ahh. Nooh nahh ooh. Nooh nahh ooh dah. NAAHHHHHHHHOHOOOOOOOHHOHOHOHOHOOH AAAAAIIIIIIEEEEEEE!
5.
Everything in the picture is so white, so white. Everything that we're looking at is bright. Don't even have to try. Everything that I'm looking at is wrong. Listen to their song. Am I listening? Everything that I'm running from, it runs from too. It's so white. And it's so right. Everything in the picture is so black, so blue. Every piece of paper is so white. Good night. Every tick on the clock is so damn blue. I can't help either of you. And now you are running on a rolling ball. It's not right. Everything in the picture is so blue, so blue. Everyone I run from is so blue. It's so sad. You're so sad. Why are you so sad? You are running from your peers. Running from your peers, you run so far. Why are you so sad when you are running from your peers? Running from your peers leaves you so far. And I'm runnin', runnin' after the ones jumped over the fence to save my life, but it was not enough. The knife wound that gushes aquamarine - Oh, it has such an awful sheen. But children, tomorrow will be another day. We'll be another way. Everyone that we're running from is so blue, and it hurts my feelings sometimes. Everything in the picture is so white, so white. Everything that we're looking at is bright. Don't even have to try. Everything that I'm looking at is wrong. Listen to their song. Am I listening? Everything that I'm running from, it runs from too. It's so white. And it's so right. Every tick on the clock is so damn blue. I can't help either of you. And now you are running on a rolling ball. It's not right. Everyone in the picture is so blue. It's sad but true. I looked the other day inside a magazine. The people looking back were angry and obscene. Their quiet testimonies lack value, but they do impart poor qualities in me. Everything that is separate is so black and blue. All of the pieces of puzzles can be forced to fit. All of the tooth-bleach users and the salesmen too. Everything will stay bad, though, and that is it.
6.
A poet's breath (A poet's breath) Changes the day (Changes the day) You wish you had (You wish you had) Something to say (Something to say) A poet's breath (When you're driving your car) A poet's words (Assembled in herds) When the clock's strike is relevant and the people want a show. The facts are externalized, but the facts are so controlled. The 'I's in the story tell a story I don't know. In a hollow maturity, it's bullshit that he crows. A poet's breath (Syncs up to yours) Just to relate (Just to ignore) Or amplify (All that's wrong with your mind) 'Cause it's OK (To run at the day) I should have meaning in my life. My life should have a message. A message for the more I open doors, the more I close 'em. I do not wanna just sit down and wait for life to happen. It happens that the more I write, the more I do. When the clock's strike is relevant and the people want a show. The facts are externalized, but the facts are so controlled. The 'I's in the story tell a story I don't know. In a hollow maturity, it's bullshit that he crows. And the thinker's wit is lessened the more critically he speaks. And his life is such a shame, he says, by saying not a peep. So then what's most important must be under lock and key. A teller tells a story and that's what he wants to be.
7.
Trip 02:55
Sister and her friends, and me I guess too on a trip, trip, trip. Zach was there too. Somewhere where we normally aren’t usually. Scrapbook crew at the ready. I forget the details. I’m appointed photographer somehow. Where’s my camera? If forgot my camera. Can’t find my film or digital, but here’s a black Canon SD780. Labeled with Aladdin - Nice. Here we go! Raised the viewfinder that shouldn’t be there to me eye, eye, eye, eye! And the exponentially grown crowd all raise two fingers - index and middle - to either side of the back of their head, and, “Happy New Year!”, they yell. I get a shot. Giant motorized cleaning group is comin’ through immediately. Is that a parade float? What a lovely trip, same time, same place, next night. Good morning, good morning, good morning, good morning, good day! Friends and I crossed a river, it was snowy, we broke it. Someone nearly ran across it. Swimming was ease, but I need a waterproof cellphone holder. The owners of the house-store scoffed, then I found it in the van. (That’s somehow here.)
8.
Minivan sliding on the snow. He’s got nowhere to go. Medal bends like a rag wringing out. Plastic cracks, and glass, it smashes. Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing. Slinky neck, you really fly. Can you skate on the pavement? Careless punk, who are you? Watch him cry on the shoulder. Wouldn’t wanna lose my only love. With leather and a glove compartment for my things. Realizing one’s priorities, it will always occur too late. History will stain us all. What did I love? In real life, it’s easier to run. In your head, you’d say it’d never be done. That’s what we hold ourselves to. Our darkest moments haven’t happened yet. And don’t you worry ’bout a thing. Slinky neck, you really fly. Can you skate on the pavement? Careless punk, who are you? Watch him cry on the shoulder. When we lose our material possessions, there’s nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but… Nothing else left for us but…
9.
With closed eyelids, embracing a cushion. Why don’t I melt? Wishing to fall far, my heart beats too fast. My mind’s agitated. The daily mean arrays, irrelevant quizzes. The race, the competition. Firmly trapped, going for a snack. It’s out, out of the question. Oh, when the day is done. Lying in my little perspiration sponge. Turn the lights back on, sing a tiny song. Eyes are stinging, tired. Can I cancel? Oh, teacher, are you there? Teach, teach me meditation. What is that? What is that, anyway? Silly stuff, never gonna bother. Tell me your troubles, and I’ll tell you mine. That’s the point. That’s the whole damn point. Naked artists find better things to do than sleep. They have bad dreams. Their eyes are open. I was worn then, now I’m worn anew, but with love, poverty and boredom. It’s time to offer an open hand, even accepting little knife wounds. Don’t know what’s wrong, don’t know what was wrong. No matter, luck is still the cycle. It’s scary, some day I’ll fall out quick, but it is all in the reception. Love’s just a trick that some people choose to play on all the world around them. Akin to drawling about your cheesy cars and fooled or hired women. Rambles in shambles, and what to show, but feelings, trapped and lost and lonely? But glory only lasts long for me. I’m sorry, I’m so very sorry. Tell me your troubles, and I’ll tell you mine. That’s the point. That’s the whole damn point. Naked artists find better things to do than sleep. They have bad dreams. Their eyes are open. Tell yours your troubles, and I’ll tell mine mine. We both find that we have climbed the vine. Let’s freeze this time instant and look in twenty years. And we hope our pasts are jealouser than we had peered.
10.
The Show 02:36
All our wives are dressing, and all our wives are listening. Let’s go out and show our wives to all the boys we’d love to be. Our voices crackle and get deep as the narrative is read. Our posture is a little buff. We talk so dumb instead… ...of learning from our 20 and dancing with new friends. And practising our running just to feel good in the end. Just open up the window in your car and plug into the light! And worry less, because you’re only doing this a couple times! All of our wives can show us stuff and we can find some inner peace, if we just muster up some trust and make another enemy. We get so shy and scared that we must frighten someone else. It’s sad, but I am smiling, and I don’t need any help. Running though the park. Running in the snow. I am an idealist. Come on girl, let’s go! We go, we go, we don’t know where to go. We go, we go, we don’t know where to go. When we’re running up our miles, just like we should. And we’re writing/riding/lighting candles all over the neighbourhood. Run with me, girl, so I do not lose my place. I don’t wanna be what I am, it’s a disgrace. All our wives are dressing, and all our wives are listening. Let’s go out and show our wives to all the boys we’d love to be.
11.
Q & A 05:22
Q. Why is a short time limit more motivational than a long term one? A. Because I can’t see past today; I don’t care to. Q. Why is there an ignition/door key and a door only key on my keychain? A. It’s summer now. Maybe I should take it off. Q. Why is there a white pickup truck backed into my yard? A. Because some people don’t have yards. Q. Why is there a panel without a switch? A. So people can’t make improvements. Q. Who built these desks? A. Someone called a desksmith. Q. Who is Kelsey, Kallie, and who am I? A. Three of the greatest friendly people. Q. What time does everybody eat? A. Whenever our bodies are ready for more abuse? Q. Why not write about poverty? A. Apathy, lack of knowledge, contempt towards the format. Q. Will I endure? Q. Will I endure? A. Of course, you must. A. Of course, you must. Q. Is sewing on buttons a difficult task? A. Nothing is easy and free for all. Q. But what would a cat be with four runners and a coffee mug on its back? A. Clarify: Are the four runners also on the cats back? Q. Why aren’t the dictionaries arranged by edition? Q. Why aren’t the dictionaries arranged by edition? Q. Why aren’t the dictionaries arranged by edition? Q. Why aren’t the dictionaries arranged by edition? A. I don’t know. A. I don’t know.
12.
The Bear 05:31
Listen to the bear’s footprints. Soft and gentle in the wind. Ice might keep us warm. But if the tent collapses, we’re done in! It’s a warm and windy day. With rocks for heat, it’s time to go. Somewhere where we can play. And be alone and scared and just say, “No!” ‘Cause April snow makes me afraid! And pushes my trust far away from Where it is in the city in piles of boxed up families. But if the tent collapses, we’re done in! And it’s a scary thought, but we can’t win. And we’re the only human souls as far as I can hear. Next to a deep and freezing lake bordered by trees and deer. But are the beasts outside the tent just as afraid as we? And should we be afraid moreso when in society? But philosophers get nowhere with a panicked crowd. So, should we stay, or should we go? ‘Cause nature’s gettin’ loud. Listen to the calm man. It’s in your head, it’s in your head. You won’t be scared when you’re asleep. Just close your eyes and go to bed. Leftover leaves, they blow around. That’s all that’s causing all the sound. And clumps of ice slide down the walls. That’s not a paw, that’s not a growl. ‘Cause April snow makes me afraid! And pushes my trust far away from Where it is in the city in piles of boxed up families. But if the tent collapses, we’re done in! And it’s a scary thought, but we can’t win. And we’re the only human souls as far as I can hear. Next to a deep and freezing lake bordered by trees and deer. And here we’re together, alone inside our little nook. And we were fine until the time at which the tent first shook. But are the beasts outside the tent just as afraid as we? And should we be afraid moreso when in society? But philosophers get nowhere with a panicked crowd. So, should we stay, or should we go? ‘Cause nature’s getting loud. The tent collapsed. Get out of the tent. Should we sleep in the car? I miss the city, let's go home!
13.
Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. Teeth Tea Leave. I’m tired, I can’t put the pot in the place where the pots go. My car, rumble rumble it goes on down the road. I want to thank my good friend Laura for the pillowcases that she made. I need a reason for teeth and tea then to simply leave and start a new dream and go. I’m tired, I can’t put the pot in the place where the pots go. My car, rumble rumble it goes on down the road. I want to thank my good friend Laura for the pillowcases that she makes.

about

Midsized Eras is my first release using the name Optional. Its 13 tracks draw from my dreams and experiences over the last six years.

Its has been weaved together into a single work comprising of songs that take on duties such as narrating the doodles in my high school notebook, describing incoherent stories envisioned during REM sleep and cryptically detailing immature emotional anguish.

My music is eclectic, eccentric, outsider and vulnerable.

Each song seeks to take you on a journey, starting in one place and ending up somewhere else.

credits

released February 3, 2015

Everything by Optional. Optional is Cody Robertson.

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Optional Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

I like to make music.

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