Love

Love is the most powerful energy force in the universe.

Whatever you love, you inevitably will experience.

The catch: sometimes we are not aware that we are in love with situations or things that may not always be in our best interest and we end up in a constant state of stress, anxiety, confusion, and disappointment.

Perhaps there is guidance in a well known celtic proverb: There is darkness in light, light in darkness.

Contemplation: If you love to solve problems, you will inevitably be provided with a multitude of problems to solve. If you love to laugh, more laughter will come into you life.

Know your light, know your dark – and know what it is you truly love the most.

ThInQ about it.

I am Woman - Blog Off

I have never considered myself a feminist.

The truth is, for someone of my generation I am not sure I even know what that means.

In fact last week was the first time I recall hearing the Helen Reddy song I am Woman which was the theme song for rise of feminism in the 1970’s.

There are times I seriously wonder just how far women really have come in terms of equality. It seems to me that we make gains in some areas and are continuing to fight to maintain the growth in others.

To me this question is particularly prevalent when I am trying to find pantyhose at 7:30 in the morning that does not have a snag, run, or hole in the toe.

Men would NEVER put up with that hassle - EVER. If they had to wear nylons, they would be made of material that would never fall apart and after 1000 washes – those pantyhose would snap back into shape and still look snazzy – without snags, runs, and holes in the toe.

As women, we have gone as far as our pantyhose – we improved our bras and left our toes dangling out.

Maybe I am a feminist.

Was mulling all of this over a while back when one of my friends happened by and asked if I had checked my emails. I opened up what was in my inbox. I did not know whether to laugh, cry or just be in utter shock. Attached to the email were print advertisements that are clearly not from the year 2010.

Here are the headlines targeted towards women and of course with my immediate reaction:

• More Doctors Smoke Camels than Any Other Cigarette!
(Wow that’s a comfort, where do I find these dudes? Because when I am looking for a doctor that is the number one qualification.)

• They are Happy Because They Eat Lard.
(Oh yes, the first thing to do every day is open a tub of lard and chuck some down, yum, the joy!)

• Many Doctors Recommend “Lysol” for Feminine Hygiene for 6 Reasons.
(What the bleep? Have you ever accidently touched Lysol on an open cut on your finger? Did these Doctors even graduate from Medical School?)

• Eat! Eat! Eat! And Always Stay Thin! Fat the enemy that is shortening your life - Banished! How? With Sanitized taped worms. Jar Packed. Easy to Swallow.
(I cannot speak.)

• Tipalet Cigarettes: Blow in her face and she’ll follow you anywhere.
(Good Lord.)

Staring at my computer screen dumbfounded I instantly understood why women demanded the vote, equal rights, and better salaries – leaving their families to enter back into the work force. Without those women who forged ahead and insisted that the current thinking of the day had to improve we would still be letting some turkey blow cigarette smoke in our faces and telling us, yes darling this is a turn on.

So, hats off to you bra burning sisters! Without your pain, determination, and thought we would never have be able to enjoy or appreciate the gain. Betterstill, thank you men for making the change, for without your response I would have been opening up a jar of tape worms for dinner.

Now ladies - can we please work on the pantyhose?

Be sure to visit Busty's response to my picture http://bust-a-blog.blogspot.com/ you'll like it.

Together Are We

Written by Songbird Expression 32.2.19, March 21, 2010
In celebration of Linda and David on their recent engagement

There comes but one moment
In time and space

That single second where I first see your face

My heart stands in stillness

The fire whispers clear

Here is the one that fills you my dear
The world becomes bigger than you and I
The joy I feel shoots through the sky
Together we are, together are we


In the moment - present - standing here
I wonder where we will go and what we will feel
Shall we dance at midnight under the northern lights
Will we feel all that could be and all the delights


The earth whispers clear
Here is the one that fills you my dear
The world becomes bigger than you and I
The joy I feel shoots through the sky
Together we are, together are we


Today it is written on the sands of time
This is your place my friend and our place to find
Never alone I walk with you
Skipping across grassy morning dew


The wind whispers clear
Here is the one that fills you my dear
The world becomes bigger than you and I
The joy I feel shoots through the sky
Together we are, together are we


A gentle breeze bathed with our faith
Caresses my shoulders, in this place
That moment, that gift, oh so sweet
That gave us the chance for us to meet


The fire whispers clear
Here is the one that fills you my dear
The world becomes bigger than you and I
The joy I feel shoots through the sky
Together we are, together are we


Burning with passion
Each and everyday
One step forward
We make our way


The world becomes bigger than you and I
The joy I feel shoots through the sky
Together we are, together are we

Baby, It’s Ice - Blog Off

In 1990’s Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice was the first hip-hop song to hit the top of the Billboard Charts. (refresh your memory here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp-is6S_b_g)

I remember when it hit the charts and to be truthful didn’t understand it. Even more I had a hard time dancing to it. Break dancing looks like it could hurt. I do admire, however, anyone who can spin on their head without getting hair burn or breaking their necks! At the time Rap/Hip Hop seemed harsh, bullish, and angry moreover it was different.

Just how different?

The song Ice Ice Baby became the catalyst for a much needed shift in mainstream music and modern culture. He wasn’t a black person trying to break into “white culture.” In fact it was the exact opposite. I wonder if he understands the true value of the impact he made not just on the music industry, but on the world.

Vanilla Ice wrote the lyrics to Ice Ice Baby when he was 16 years old. It was about his experiences growing up in South Florida which included of all things a drive by shooting. The latter, is something I cannot relate to, which could be why I did not connect with the music in the first place.

Life for Vanilla Ice was not a glamorous Hollywood success story. He produced other albums with minimal success and tried acting along with a realty television show appearance. He struggles with drugs and at one time attempted suicide. All that aside, there have been those like Justin Timberlake who re-recorded this 1990’s hit.

There has been a great deal of pressure on Ice to produce another hit. He doesn’t need to. Vanilla Ice has done exactly what he had to. It was the right song at the right time, and as a result of his creative efforts other musicians from all over the world heeded the call, allowing their own creative force and ideas to come forward making rap and hip hop part of main stream culture. Barriers broken.

And that is the story of Vanilla Ice. The road less travelled sparks a whole new movement. How many people have there been in our life time who have brought forth these kinds of gifts? Lots actually. Think about it.

This past January the Irish duo John and Edward release a single mashop of the classics Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby) listen to what has been inspired:

This talented duo didn’t just do a re-mix – they re-created it.

Twenty years later I get it, and so do these young musicians. Call me crazy but I hear something pretty cool here. Baby, It’s Ice - always changing, evolving, and creating new experiences and different colours every time you see it - and - I love it.

Be sure to visit Busty's response to my picture http://bust-a-blog.blogspot.com/ you'll like it.