Five commas, six hyphens, Jackson Browne

To be an artist is, by definition, to be selfish.  And arrogant.  And some other things, all of which not necessarily in a bad way.  Arrogance, for example, suggests you have a level of self-regard that makes you think you can put some paint on a canvas and somebody else will purchase it.

That's not a bad thing.

All of which brings me to me.  Me?  I'm the kind of mean-spirited mouse-studying-to-be-a-rat who typically flies into a rage when I see another artist come up with something really cool, berating myself, asking why I didn't think of it, wishing the man, in this case, ill.  But I couldn't help putting all that negativity aside and admiring these photographs by Michael Wolf of the Paris roof-top urban landscape.

I love this one ...

But this one is my favorite ...

Sometimes, no matter how much it hurts, attention must be paid.  You can see more at This is Colossal.

And, as per the title, herewith the lyrics of the appropriate Jackson Browne song (written, I suppose it should be said, by Carol King) ...

When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space

On the roof, it's peaceful as can be
And there the world below can't bother me

Let me tell you now, when I come home feelin' tired and beat
I go up where the air is fresh and sweet
(Up on the roof)
I get away from the hustling crowds
And all that rat race noise down in the street
(Up on the roof)

On the roof's, the only place I know
Where you just have to wish to make it so
Oh, let's go up on the roof

At night the stars put on a show for free
And darling, you can share it all with me

I keep a-telling you, right smack dad in the middle of town
I found a paradise that's trouble proof
(Up on the roof)
So if this world starts getting you down
There's room enough for two up on the roof
(Up on the roof)

Up on the roof, everything is alright
Up on the roof, oh, come on baby
I just wanna be with you, baby
Up on the roof, up on the roof