The Budget of Paradox

My dear Sophia,
Here’s a song from your iPod… Heaven or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins. If you’ve seen the other letters I’ve written, you know I bought you an iPod for your birthday last year. I filled it with songs from my life and my youth. Behind many of the songs, there’s a story. I wanted you to have it not only to expose you to some new music, but to help you understand a bit about my life and who I am.

Back in high school, my first serious girlfriend introduced me to the Cocteau Twins. They’re from Scotland and I really like Elizabeth Fraser’s voice. Many years later, I saw the Cocteau Twins in concert at the famous Warfield Theater in San Francisco.

Lots of their songs have special place in my heart. “Heaven or Las Vegas” is one of them. Some of the lyrics:

Am I just in heaven or Las Vegas
It’s so much more brighter than the sun is to me
The chill must itch in my soul
That’s like any old playing card
It must be why I’m thinking of Las Vegas
It’s why it’s more brighter than the sun is to me

I’ll send you the iPod anytime you want. I’d love for you to have it. I want to share so many things with you. The world is such a big, wonderful, horrifying, amazing place. Part of my job as a dad (if you’ll let me) is to show you around a bit.

I’d love to know what you’re doing this summer.

I hope you’re well.

I love you,
Dad