Hotel Ugly

I’ve heard two stories recently from people whose relationships ended abruptly. After a reunion for closure, the former loved one on the other end of the table seemed like a stranger. They both expressed how it felt like they had to mourn someone who was still alive, as the person they knew had essentially died. Hotel Ugly’s "Shut Up My Mom’s Calling" is a sonic snapshot of this experience, with lyrics like, "You got me feeling so lonely / Even when you come through / I can tell that it isn’t you." The chorus is a heartfelt plea for the loved one to come home. To be human is to take our mental hooks and latch them onto people, places, and things that hold fast for only a limited time. How we deal with the object turning to smoke and our hook coming loose is what captures my attention. May we all find pathways to our own inner strength.