From My Good Friend Bryon's Facebook Info

I liked what he said:

"Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death..."

About Me:

"I have lived a life filled with incredible joy and staggering sorrow.. I would not change any of it.. it has defined who I am and gives me strength to continue."

What's Easy and What's Hard

It's easy to be hard.
It's easy to be selfish.
It's easy to be angry.
It's easy to hate.
There's no responsibility in these things.
Only to yourself and the venom that pours through you because of it.

It's harder to share
It's harder to be soft.
It's harder to be gentle.
And it's harder to truly love.

But the best things in life, they don't come easy.

SOTD-Lady GaGa - Poker Face Acoustic

A year ago when I told my friends how great I thought Lady GaGa was, I was told she was a slutty top 40 poptart. But, I told them she's got some real damn talent and that they had to see behind the costumes and over the top pr machine she was driving.
And this is just a taste of what's really there.
I still love her. Think she's great.

Corn Fed

I just got this picture back from a friend and the title of the attachment was, humorously,
"Corn Fed Trenny"
That's right---and proud of it!

Disheartening

Did you know that this month, August 2009, has been the worst month for American soldier casualties in Afghanistan in the past 8 years?
Jesus. As my blog title states- that is horribly disheartening. Watching the faces scroll across the screen last night on CH 13 News Hour, you just see young men, boys really, and they've lost their lives for our country. For us. Do we REALLY get it, that loss and what the hell is going on? Dammit, something has got to give. I feel so helpless. I mean, how can we not feel connected to these deaths? And I am a very positive person, for the most part, but all I can picture is the opposition hiding in these mountain caves doing some sort of sadistic mountain training. Sick. Makes me really see how much hatred still exists in this world. They've got so many nuclear weapons all over the place that it is just plain scary. Do not be fooled.
My friend, he says that we should just level the landscape and the mountains. That is terribly unrealistic and also depressing. I cannot stand fighting and war.
Pray for peace. Only thing I can think.

Wolfmother White Unicorn

Wolfmother White Unicorn
Uploaded by modularpeople. - Watch more music videos, in HD!
**Be patient at the beginning as it freezes a couple of times while it's downloading. once it gets going, it's fine.** xo

Oh guys, it's been a few years since this great one came out--please don't forget about it.
Despite some of your emails about the boredom with the past couple weeks of 80's music (just where my head was)- I am really just a paired down 70's rock and roll chick at heart. The less guys in the band and fluff in the performance, the better. Especially when it's unadulterated, genuine rock. I mean, I just wanted to be one of Eric Clapton's backup singers growing up- so figure it out.
These guys are 3 Australians, with flared jeans and one big fro and a toally 70's sound----and this song KICKS ASS every time!
-Don't forget the other great one--"Woman"
Hope this was a good reminder of these guys for some of you, or an introduction for others.
xo

Cool Zeppelin Photo

Nothing more than that. My friend sent it to me today with some music downloads I had asked her for, and I simply thought it was a great shot. Isn't it though? The early, early, good ole Zeppelin days. Small stage, young and energetic. Forget the big stadiums- this would have been the best way to see them.

Fred and Esther

Still some of the best damn dialogue on sitcom television. TV land re-runs are the best, when I have been lucky enough to catch one. There hasn't been many situation comedies as good as an 'All In The Family' or a 'Sanford and Son' in a long time. One liner paradise.

Sucker as defined by Wikipedia

Definition of sucker

(This is good stuff. Note-that it also includes hilarious 'one liner' examples, which I did not add!!! Excellent!)

sucker

noun

• someone who is gullible or easily tricked

  'Ha ha! So long, sucker!'

  imbecile.

'can you dig it, sucka?'

Afternoon Bliss

I had to take part of the day today and re-new my passport for an upcoming trip...more on that later. Because it took so much less time than I had expected, I also got to go to one of my favortie places on earth-The New York Public Library-and hang for awhile. I needed to update my membership anyway, so it was good timing. It was nice to really take the time to walk around and truly read all the scriptures on the wall and look at the elaborate paintings and architecture. Of the many times I have been there, I usually find myself walking in, getting what I need, and leaving. Today, however, I really took my time. I also got lucky because they are running an exhibit of one of my favorites (below), Shakespeare, and I was lucky enough to sit in on a lecture that was being given by a professor from Columbia. ( The fact that his works were numerous ghost writers came up, and I still refuse to believe it. Call me delusional.)
I also picked up a lovely book of his sonnets.

I wrapped up my visit by taking my books and my barefeet down to Central Park to lay around and do some much needed lazy reading. It was a pretty afternoon, so I was in complete heaven. Peaceful with the warm sun and my books. I urge all of you, especially those of you in a major city where the libraries are many times city landmarks, to get a library membership. It's FREE and you can learn so much. It's definatley a necessary indulgence.

My Molly.......

My girlfriend/sister and old college roommate Molly, I just found out today through a nice conversation, is pregnant with her second baby.
Poor girl is so nauseous though, she kept telling me, as we spoke, that she was trying to hold back the 'gagging'. Aw man, nauseam, the worst. To make matters even more difficult, her son Griffin is in his monkey banshee phase--she calls him her labrador puppy who has to run 3 hours a day in just random circles around the playground. She wants to put him in a kennel at least one day a week (aka "daycare") She jokes that she is hoping for a boy so they can be, and I quote, "two little cub bears rolling around and wrestling together"

Ugh...I am so ready for the day when another little life is more important than my self centered one. I am bored of myself and my singular desires. My own little family. I believe that will teach you the most about yourself and about love. I'm sure those of you who have built a family know just what I mean. Caring for people as much, if not more, than yourself.
One the greatest blessings I believe a person can receive.

SOTD-Morrissey - Tomorrow

Just because this is a great Morrisey solo song--and playing right now. Wanted to share. Shot on the back streets of Paris. I love the innuendo of all the boys following him. Think it's sexy.

But, come on Morrisey, give up the celibate act and just come out of the closet already. You can still write and fuck!!

Harold and Maude...On Love

And the old lady told me, "you've got to work for love. Fight for it. Real love, it ain't easy. The real thing, no that's the hard stuff. And the real thing, it hits you at the oddest times, mostly. But you see, that's love's magical trick. It's the best thing in the world. So, go out Harold and don't be afraid. Love with everything you've got"

-Harold and Maude. 1971

16 Years old and too cool

The kid in the Bullet for my Valetine shirt passsed me by one night on my way home from work (Zac Efron hairsprayed hair, eyeliner and all) and gave me one of those 'hey, whas' up chick' looks, like he was too cool- and I was thinking, "man I could be your mom!" But he and his friends were too cute for me too pass up a photo op.(and by 'cute', I mean 'cool', not some wacko pedophilia thing, k? before anyone gets ruffled feathers!) And the cutest thing was, they were all like, when I asked them to pose, "yea, cool"and were happy to pose for two or three.

I just love young culture and fashion in NY

ps--like a sitcom, or a movie casting, can't you just tell who the different characters are just through the photo; the 'cool' one, the 'smart' one, the 'goof'-----funny stuff.

Don't,

underestimate the beauty and gift of a shared experience.

Laughter

"Laughter is the rain that washes over your face and brings the summer, and takes the winter away."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm Getting This Pink Bike

Viewed online today.
And I'm gonna stroll around Long Island.

Inglorious Bastards

Much against my will, I was convinced last night to go out for an ‘after work drink’ with the girls. My idea of ‘out for a drink’ is hanging out once or twice a month with some guy friends, predominately in their 50’s, to chat about life, etc. Usually a glass or two of red wine will do the trick for a ‘big night out’. So, I went last night and upon walking in, I knew I was ready to leave. Blaring loud static rock music and obnoxious people talking much too loud about crass, rude things. Yuck. I hate what too much alcohol does to people. Especially the guys that come up and yell in your ear—“Hey, what’s your name?” ugh.

Half a glass of Pinot Noir and I excused myself. As I walked home, I noticed that the film Inglorious Bastards was playing. I sometimes forget that New York and LA usually open a film a week or two before the rest of the country. (This mostly based on openings and audience). I have been wanting to see Inglorious Bastards, so I happily went in to see it by myself.

I won’t spend this blog post boring you with some witty, intellectual personal critique of the film, but I will say the few, following things:

The film is pretty damn amazing. I will go further to be so bold as to say that it is, I think, Quentin Tarantino’s best film since Pulp Fiction (but, Pulp Fiction will always win, for me, because of the awesome soundtrack) Here are a few of the reasons why I think the film holds up.

*The Concept. Killing Nazis because they are murderous assholes. Of course. (Although please know, I do not personally advocate an ‘eye for an eye’ philosophy or murder, AT ALL. I do not think morally that it would ever be right to take a life, for anything. It is just a purely fantastical thought)

* Brad Pitt seems to shine in these roles where he plays off the persona of a cocky, hillbilly, stoner-esque, bully bastard. I personally think it’s his 70’s Midwestern (Missouri) upbringing. You get to know a lot of crazy wackos growing up that way. He does a great job.

* The cinematography. Tarantino seems to pick his shot angles in this unique, odd, left of center, rock-n-roll way. This makes you catch odd things in a scene that most filmmakers would forget to have you see. It’s a side that is truly sadistic. (Not to mention the torture and scalpings, which were rather difficult for a girl like me to watch, although he made them oddly comedic. If that is possible.)

*And finally- although I could name more- the choice of the relatively unknown actor, Christoph Waltz, who played a Nazi officer. I actually stayed to view the credits just to get his name. His performance was that brilliant. He should absolutely be given an Oscar nomination for supporting actor, if not win the Oscar.

He gave a performance that was riveting and moving much like a Meryl Streep in Sophie’s Choice, or a Marlon Brando in The Godfather, etc… Any one of those performances that left you truly moved by the ‘craft’ of acting.

Considering the exorbitant price of a movie -10.50 in NY- this film will be money well spent.

SOTD-Bow Wow Wow - The Man Mountain

As he looked at me at work today, my boss said "I can't believe with the way you look, you actually shaved your head in high school"
And there she is above, the girl in the video I saw at 14 years old, Anabella Lwin, the lead singer of Bow Wow Wow, who inspired the shaving. After seeing her, I promptly got the buzzer, and off I went. Much to the chagrin of my poor mother.
Again, my favorite song by a band will rarely be the hit single.
Man Mountain is a sweet old folk song they re-did on their 'I Want Candy" record----and the first song I learned on guitar.

Professional or Republican Convention?

I have been really putting most of my energy into work lately to keep my mind preoccupied. This morning I walked in extremely focused as I had alot to accomplish. As I walked into work, my boss says to me, with his thick as Cabernet Italian accent:
'"Baby" (he calls me that sometimes, especially when being sarcastic) "Baby, what's the look? You going to Saks Fifth Avenue or The Republican National Convention?"
I told him, that if you look polished and professional, you will have a more polished and professional day.
Maybe, maybe not- but I believe the more astute and nice you look, the better your day functions. I do not believe girls should dress down too much. Girls should look classy and put together. Be a woman. Levi's and t-shirts have their place, and are wonderful for sure, but not in a professional setting. I feel that looking good has been lost on some of the current female generations. It has become too many sweat pants and baggy jeans and flip flops and uni-sex dressing. Get back to standards girls. Wear a dress or a skirt now and then. And for God's sake, some high heels every once in awhile wouldn't hurt. I've said it before on this blog, and I'll say it again--a pair of classic black pumps goes a long way.
Invest in a pair.

As Still As A Bug

I just started what I think might be the beginnings of a writing that may become something much larger.
And it was all inspired by my phrase in a current blog entry...
"in a cotton slip, lying as still as a bug"...

Brought me back to a feeling, a place. And I am writing.
Writing so much, that I can't seem to stop.

Your Life Is Not Terrible......

Stop yourself next time you think you are having a 'bad' day.
This is bad. This is what qualifies as 'hard'.

Billie Holiday- Stormy Weather

http://www.last.fm/music/Billie+Holiday/_/Stormy+Weather?autostart

I don't trust anyone to truly love music if I see that their music library is devoid of any Billie Holiday.
None of the girls these days sing about heartache with this much depth and emotion. I'm making the girls listen to jazz and blues today on XM. They may whine at first, but they'll get an appreciation by the end of the day.

CLASSY

Mortification.
My sleeping patterns have been pretty terrible the past few weeks. I fall asleep very late, and wake up very early. Rather than lay there this morning, I decided that I would just go ahead and get up and make my booty to the 7am yoga class in NY. I''d just bring my work clothes and head to work right after class.
Out of sleepiness and rushing, I opened my little workout clothes drawer and grabbed a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, packed a bag, grabbed a bottle of water and headed out. As I was midway to the train station-which is 2 blocks away- I looked down and noticed what I was really wearing.
An old Aerosmith t shirt and a pair of 'Hooters' shorts that my niece had given me when I was visiting Illinois. Shorts, that I MAYBE would clean the house in, if anything. Not wear in public!
2 things made it that much worse. It's 92 degrees here in NY, which means I had no little pashmina or wrap to cover or hide myself, and I had 5 minutes to catch my train and did not have time to turn around. And don't think I may be posting this because I think I look somehow 'cute' in this get up--I seriously did not realize what shorts I had grabbed, and thought they ere my gray athletic shorts. I just thought a trashy 70's band, combined with hooters was just right into the raunchy zone.
I was mortified.
The only thing a girl could do was embrace the 'Hillbilli-ness' of it all and endure the cat calls for the 5 blocks to yoga. Luckily, it was early and not too many people out.
Classy. Real classy.

SOTD-Howard Jones "What is Love"

If you've grown up in the country or spent alot of time in the country, you'll know what I'm talking about.
I was upstate this weekend (which is making NYC that much more intolerable on a Monday)and when you are in the middle of the woods and it is 'hot August hot', you've got to just roll with it. Maybe it was growing up in the Midwest and tolerating so many nights as a little girl where I laid on my bed in my cotton slip, as still as a bug, in stifling heat, trying to ward it off. Somehow, I believe, it makes you grow a tolerance for a heavy, still, oak tree kind of heat. This is why I have never liked air conditioning. It's summer and I want to feel the outside. I want to feel the heat. I've always found it comical when people bitch about the heat and live in refrigerator cold ac, when the weather is so sexy and balmy and hot. ENJOY IT! It will be gone soon.
To the point of my song post. On such a night, Saturday, Kim had gone to bed early, so my girlfriend Melinda and I stayed up, hanging on the porch. We ended up smoking a 'little', if you know what I mean. I rarely, rarely, do this, so when I do, I become more of the two things I am- giggly and/or extemely introspective and thoughtful. So, we smoke and we are sitting in the hot night ,silent heat, feeling a little groovy and she turns on her Ipod. She is my age, so we grew ip in the same musical generation, and she had alot of good early 80's music. We began having discussions about techno, and Sex Pistols vs The Clash, and "didn't you love Terri Nunn from Berlin's bleach blonde hair with black tips", blah, blah, blah,....that kind of talk.
Then this song came on out of the blue. It's a great song. And it was so funny because we had been dead silent throughout the song, listening, sitting there in the swing, and when it ended , Melinda turned to me, all stoner dazed like and said -
"That's a great fucking song isn't it?"
and me, all grooved out as well, looked back and said "That is a great fucking song."
It was a total 'stoner in the 70's at a Pink Floyd concert' moment. I liked about letting people be just what they need to be. That's a good lesson.
Anyway, this is a really good song. And I get tickled sometimes when I think of those of you who are too young to maybe know this song, that read my blog ,that will now know it. It always makes me happy.

My Healthcare Reform Feelings In A Nutshell

Everyone. Seriously. Even if you only do it two days a week, exercise for God's sake. You will feel good, you will have better health, you won't whine about your ass and your thighs (which is so boring and relentless to hear)
Health in this country is appaling, and all it takes to change it drastically, is to eat more wisely and exercise. It's really so easy.

Hiking

Hiking today with my girlfriends Kim and Melinda. They are pretty tough, and poor Kim, carried the mother load of stuff in her backpack. They are a couple, and I believe that Kim definitely has the male gene in the duo. She's one tough bitch.
But, we did good. After 3 hours, we FINALLY made it. We climbed to the other side of this rocky, trail mountain ridge thing by Kim's mom's house upstate. And I actually wore my Timberland hiking shoes, which, after 6 tears of owning them, still had perfect treading. I definitely broke them in today.
Nice to go away to a place that reminds me of home, with rivers and trees--.
I really needed it.'Cept I busted my knee really hard coming down out of a tree (trying to show off and climb way too high) and am now immobilized with an ice pack. Thus, while I am blogging and everyone else is making dinner.
I ain't the monkey tree climber I used to be. But, I'm still pretty damn good.

SOTD- New Order - Fine Time

Here's techno, when it was actually still good. Joy Division, New Order, these guys did it right with a little artistic class, and not strobe lights, in a drugged out club where you feel like you are going crazy and you want to throw up. Those terrible nightclubs where a DJ takes what used to be a cool song and puts the same, stupid bass line, pumping beat and cat scratch synthesizer to and calls it "techno". And he also calls it "dj-ing"
Bullshit.
Good techno music died in the early 90's

Vitamin Water Warning

Just an FYI. 85% of the time I drink water, but there are those times when I am really craving something cold and yummy. A Peachtree Lemonade or a Vitamin Water usually does the trick. However, today, I got two of the above types of Vitamin Water after my hike, the 'Multi-V' one, and fell ill for a bit. I drank one, and then as I was opening the other above, I started to feel terribly, terribly nauseous. I then threw up. Here's why. There is Zinc in the Multi-V version, and ALOT of vitamin C. When you combine Zinc with Vitamin C and you put that into your system on an empty stomache, you are in trouble. Zinc can be extremely toxic without other nutrients in the body to absorb it's strength.
Just a warning to any of you that like this water as well.

I re-blogged below from a fellow blogger.

East Village Nostalgia

So, today, I had to go down to a boutique way,way,way down into the bowels of the East Village. I'm talking past where Andy Warhol's factory used to be, way past the empty lot where all the skinheads still hangout, and way beyond Canal Street Jeans and Astor Place. Like the true depths. Where the strung out rock and roll wannabe's score crack. And let me tell you something--it's now disgusting. Where it used to still be relatively cool when I first would go in and hang out in my late teens and early 20's, it is as if, since then, it is the section of the city that has been forgotten. Businesses are empty, the streets smell of garbage and patchouli (yuck) and the once 'cool' heroin chic kids, look anorexic and wasted. I hope it gets it together and experiences some sort of Renaissance. It kind of bummed me out to see the charm so faded away.
Still, I did have a moment where I did wax nostalgia. I found myself, as I was crawling up Avenue A, behind a young, in love couple. He was tall, lanky, with a bolero hat, glasses, a Ramones T- shirt and high top black Converse. (the cliche uniform, right?) She was all long hair, nose piercing , sun dress, but rather than paired with sandals, she rocked that dress with Doc Martens. Good girl.
They were sharing a hand rolled cigarette, and the the only thing missing from the picture, was a copy of "On The Road" by Jack Kerouac tattered and rolled up in the guy's back pocket. The little beatnik couple. And it reminded me just exactly of me at 21. It was almost too familiar. But, just before I got too gooey with memories, they turned to go into 'Trader Joes', to buy their organic wine and brown rice and soy milk, I'm sure. Using the last 40 bucks they had after paying the exorbitant rent on the 10 floor walk up they shared.
I realized as I got back on the subway uptown, how I did mot miss those days a bit. How sorry I felt for anyone that had to actually LIVE in a city that I can barley work in. You can keep it.

Little Girl Lost

This is what we call the "photo of shame". Trying to be happy,apologetic and nice when I show up an hour late to my friend's new apt on Wall Street,because I had taken the subway going the wrong way. How the hell I have survived NYC the past year, after coming from the seaside and the country for 20 years in The Hamptons,is absolutely beyond me. I was coerced against my will to physically document it.

Pema Chodron-"When Things Fall Apart"

I have been re-reading bits of “When Things Fall Apart” by P Chodron recently. A go-to book for me when I need to ‘remember’, if you know what I mean. I read something very powerful this morning in this book that I wanted to share. I’ve recommended this book before on my blog, and today, I am recommending it again. A wonderful, enlightening book.

“There is a teaching on the three kinds of awakening.

*Awakening from the dream of ordinary sleep. *Awakening at death from the dream of life. And *Awakening in this life, now, into full enlightenment from the dreams of delusion, ego, and fear.

When I learned this, and realized that life is just a long dream to be lived fully, I realized that I might as well try looking at and ridding myself of what scares me and angers me, instead of running away. Thus, ridding myself of it. I haven’t found this easy all the time, but in the process, I’ve learned a lot about real love and real peace.

Our personal demons come in many guises. We experience them as shame, guilt, worry, jealousy. As abandonment and rage. They are anything that makes us so uncomfortable that we continually run away.

We do the big escape: we act out, say something we regret, walk away, slam a door, hit someone, or break something as a way of not facing what’s in our hearts. Or we shove the feelings underneath and somehow deaden the pain. One must be careful to not spend one’s whole life escaping from the monsters of the mind. All over the world, people are so caught up in running. In keeping ourselves busy and distracted. This is easy, but also very painful and as a result, we miss the opportunities and beauty around us.

The way to dissolve resistance to life is to face it head on. To not run and become poisoned by self doubt, becoming cowardly and afraid.

Being pre-occupied with the self, is like being deaf and blind. It’s like standing is a vast field of glorious wildflowers with a black cloak over your head. Beautiful things die this way. Experiences and blessings are missed.

That’s where there is ro much resentment and résistance to life.

At this point, it would be wise to practice and learn loving kindness, first towards yourself, and then passing it onto others.

Don’t miss out on living your life truly happy.”

SOTD- The Sounds - Song With A Mission

When these guys bust out onto the scene 4 years ago- I thought "Thank God!" Maybe we are going back to my punk rock roots and some good bands are going to start really making an impact- and have some staying power.
And especially one with a Deborah Harry/Patti Smith girl lead vibe, right? I mean where is my Patti Smith of today?
So, Where did The Sounds go? What happened to that kick ass Sophmore record they were supposed to make?
Bummer.
Still, this song rocks!

Lisa says........

......."It's a nice day for a White Wedding"

E-G-O.....

..spells big, fat, EGO.
Do as Buddha says.
Put that shit away. Only spells trouble.

SOTD- Baby Let's Play House -Sayaka

Sayaka has been an aquinatance of mine from YouTube for about 2 years. She's a 24 year old Italian, young women who is just as funny and interesting as is the fact that she loves the 70's and sings Elvis like that. She is compleylty enamored of Elvis. We've exchanged guitar chords and I've steered her towards as much 70's rock from my childhood as I can.
She and her mom are coming to NY in October and I can't wait to meet her!
This recent Elvis one just blew me away. Isn't it awesome? This gorgeous Italian girl who rocks like this? When it's in you-it's just in you. I understand. Here is her you tube link, where there are plenty of amazing songs.

http://www.youtube.com/user/sayalessandra

KU-U-I-PO -Elvis Presley

This one from the setting of the Italian coastal line is also lovely

Little Signs Are Everywhere

.......even on the train this morning as I was trying to ready my little tired mind for a hectic work day.

SOTD-Paul Simon - Something So Right

If you've never seen any of the Paul Simon MTV Unplugged from the early 90's-do check it out.
This is a Paul Simon song that I adore.
You may want to think about downloading "Love Songs and Negotiations" as well- Paul Simon's greatest hits. There are about 22 songs and I don't think a bad one in the bunch.
What happened to all the good songwriters? There are very few left. :(
This song is so honest. These songs are very rare these days, unfortunatley

The Sun Never Says To The Moon- "You Owe Me"

Dr. Wayne Dyer

A friend, who has since passed away, sadly, of breast cancer, gave me my first Wayne Dyer book when I was 19. She was a painter and she was a huge mentor for me at the time.
The book was called "You'll See It When You Believe It" and though it took me a good year to finally get around to picking it up,I read it voraciously when I did.
It changed my life.
Over the years, I have read his work on and off when I needed to hear it and his word never fails to inspire me. Buy one of his books. Read his message. It comes from God and Buddhism and all those good things. He is so wonderful. I adore the man and consider him and his teachings such a blessing. Forget 100 dollar therapy sessions. Read. Pray. Think. Hear.
I post this, because with my erratic sleeping patterns, I was able to catch this last night. Here is an excerpt.
xoxo

Italian Wines and Gorgeous Scenery

Tasting Italian wines and local chocolate at Martha Clara Vineyard.
4 souls, 4 thoughts, looking out at the beautiful landscape
Martha Clara Vineyard in Riverhead (aptly named after the owner's mother), Long Island is worth a trip when you are in NY. The acres that inhabit it are spectacular.

SOTD-Johnny Cash - Get Rhythm

So, my girlfriend Michelle had her annual big BBQ party yesterday. And lucky us, because Martin is here from Manchester with his wonderful music and piano playing and there were guitars and lots of singing.
It was also the BBQ where the family (moms, dads, aunts, uncles) mixed in with the 'friends'. And let me tell ya, Michelle's momma and poppa sure can party down. Her dad was rockin' the cocktails and everytime Martin would finish a song on the piano, something sweet like one of his originals or 'your song' by Elton John or "she's got a way "by Billy Joel, he would say into the mic "does anyone have any requests?", and Michelle's dad would shout out "Folsom Prison Blues" or "Walk The Line" or "Get Rhythm" by Johnny Cash. To which he would get curious glares from everyone and the same reply from sweetie pie Martin over and over, in his cute English accent.
"Um. I don't think I know that one."
From me, he got a high five every time. I was laughing my ass off.
So, in lieu of that, her dad just kept handing me the phone to listen to Johnny through his MP3 files.
Funny.

And it's true- gettin' rhythm when you've got the blues really DOES help. It's what I'm doin'.

Posted by TrennyLynn

SOTD- You Sure Love To Ball - MARVIN GAYE

Jazz or Marvin Gaye on a cloudy, dark Sunday morning is always so nice.
The album "Let's Get It On", from beginning to end, fantastic.
Don't just stay familiar with the song 'Let's Get It On'. Get to know the whole body of work of Marvin Gaye.
I love this sexy, cute one. He used some strings from The Philharmonic Orchestra and two renowned jazz saxaphonists on this record, which also makes it all the more hypnotic. Not too mention he calls women "foxy ladies" and "pretty little sexy mamas"--awesome.

I Love The Op-Ed Section of The NYT's

Obama was never qualified for this job. Half the people in this country vote for personal reasons and hype. I feel that many times in this country, a vote is not based on any of the real issues at hand. How can you read things like the below and still tout our President? They should teach politics and the importance of a democratic society starting in the first grade.

*From The Sunday Times: ( I edited it down just a bit so it was easier, for those not terribly familiar with the issues, to digest.)

Is Obama Punking Us?

Thursday was the eighth anniversary of “Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S.,” the President’s Daily Brief that his boss ignored while on vacation in Crawford. Aug. 29 marks the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s strike on the Louisiana coast, which his boss also ignored while on vacation in Crawford.

So do have a blast in Martha’s Vineyard, President Obama.

Even as we wait for some unexpected disaster to strike, Beltway omens for the current White House are grim. Obama’s poll numbers are approaching free fall. If he fails on health care, he’s toast. Indeed, many of the bloviators who spot a fatal swoon in the Obama presidency are the same doomsayers who in August 2008 were predicting his Election Day defeat because he couldn’t “close the deal” and clear the 50 percent mark in matchups with John McCain.

There is real reason for longer-term worry in the form of a persistent, anecdotal drift toward disillusionment among some of the president’s supporters. And not merely those on the left. This concern was perhaps best articulated by an Obama voter, a real estate agent in Virginia, featured on the front page of The Washington Post last week. “Nothing’s changed for the common guy,” she said. “I feel like I’ve been punked.” She cited in particular the billions of dollars in bailouts given to banks that still “act like they’re broke.”

But this mood isn’t just about the banks, Public Enemy No. 1. What the Great Recession has crystallized is a larger syndrome that Obama tapped into during the campaign. It’s the sinking sensation that the American game is rigged — that, as the president typically put it a month after his inauguration, the system is in hock to “the interests of powerful lobbyists or the wealthiest few” who have “run Washington far too long.” He promised to smite them.

No president can do that alone, let alone in six months. To make Obama’s goal more quixotic, the ailment that he diagnosed is far bigger than Washington and often beyond politics’ domain. What disturbs Americans of all ideological persuasions is the fear that almost everything, not just government, is fixed or manipulated by some powerful hidden hand, from commercial transactions as trivial as the sales of prime concert tickets to cultural forces as pervasive as the news media. You might wonder whether networks could some day cut out the middlemen — anchors — and just put covert lobbyists and publicists on the air to deliver the news. Actually, that has already happened. The most notorious example was the flock of retired military officers who served as television “news analysts” during the Iraq war while clandestinely lobbying for defense contractors eager to sell their costly wares to the Pentagon.

There are 52 conservative Blue Dog Democrats, who have balked at the public option for health insurance. Their cash intake from insurers and drug companies outpaces their Democratic peers by an average of 25 percent, according to The Post. And let’s not forget the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, which has raked in nearly $500,000 from a single doctor-owned hospital in McAllen, Tex. — the very one that Obama has cited as a symbol of runaway medical costs ever since it was profiled in The New Yorker this spring. In this maze of powerful moneyed interests, it’s not clear who any American in either party should or could root for. The bipartisan nature of the beast can be encapsulated by the remarkable progress of Billy Tauzin, the former Louisiana congressman. Tauzin was a founding member of the Blue Dog Democrats in 1994. A year later, he bolted to the Republicans. Now he is chief of PhRMA, the biggest pharmaceutical trade group. In the 2008 campaign, Obama ran a television ad pillorying Tauzin for his role in preventing Medicare from negotiating for lower drug prices. Last week The Los Angeles Times reported — and The New York Times confirmed — that Tauzin, an active player in White House health care negotiations, had secured a behind-closed-doors flip-flop, enlisting the administration to push for continued protection of drug prices. Now we know why the president has ducked his campaign pledge to broadcast such negotiations on C-Span.

Obama's first questionable post-victory step was to bail-out banks — which in total received $175 billion of taxpayers’ money, but as yet have repaid only $50 billion — are awarding a total of $32.6 billion in bonuses for 2009. The best political news for the president remains the Republicans. It’s a measure of how out of touch G.O.P. leaders like Mitch McConnell and John Boehner are that they keep trying to scare voters by calling Obama a socialist. They have it backward. The larger fear is that Obama might be just another corporatist, punking voters much as the Republicans do when they claim to be all for the common guy. If anything, the most unexpected — and challenging — event that could rock the White House this August would be if the opposition actually woke up.

Fancy Nancy

This is one of my best friends, Nancy. Sadly, she is now in Dallas, Texas and I miss her so. But, I didn't post this photo so you could all be bored by a photo of my best friend (like, who cares, right?)
But, because they are so madly in love and want to spend the rest of their lives together and are so handsome as a couple, and I thought that this was a great photograph showing all of it. The feelings, the sexiness, the love. She feels so safe and happy with him. I feel as though you can feel it through this photo, and that is what makes a great picture. When a feeling can radiate through, no?
Do you see it?
The body language just says it all, I think. She really loves him and he makes her so happy.

Jacques Prevert

One of my all time favorite poems, by the wonderful French poet Jacques Prevert, found as a ripped out page in an old journal I unearthed last night. How happy it made me to find this.

"An orange on the table
Your dress on the carpet
And you on my bed
A delicate present of the present
The coolness of night
The warmth of my life."

...or in French. Just to be sexy...

"Une orange sur la table
Ta robe sur le tapis
Et toi dans mon lit
Doux présent du présent
Fraîcheur de la nuit
Chaleur de ma vie."

ahhh......I wish I were in Midi-Pyrenees having dinner at a small cafe, outside, with the man I love.

SOTD Sixteen Candles Movie song - If You Were Here

The director of one of my favorite films of all time, Sixteen Candles, has died. John Hughes died at just 54 years old of a heart attack last night, in this God forsaken city, NY, as I was on the train consumed with my own meek problems and thoughts. This goddamn city.
He is also responsible for one of my all time favorite movie endings. I was going to post this for a birthday last weekend and I thought it too heartbreaking, so I decided against it. But now I must.

And lest we not always be so shallow and draw only attention to the death of media stars, we must not forget of the deaths that happen everyday on this planet. Deaths of dignity. Deaths over religious conflict. Just look at these statistics from the New York Times of OUR soldiers that have died in Iraq. Dying for our country!!


U.S. Troop Casualties - 4,325 US troops; 98% male. 91% non-officers; 82% active duty, 11% National Guard; 74% Caucasian, 9% African-American, 11% Latino. 19% killed by non-hostile causes. 54% of US casualties were under 25 years old. 72% were from the US Army

Take it in. Have some gratitude for these deaths. Think about it. Do something for your community, your neighbor. Do not waste your gifts, and what you have to give. People all over the world are suffering and it makes me sick how consumed so many friends and acquaintances of mine are with their small world and their 'supposed' problems. Consumed over boyfriends, girlfriends, the right car, the right clothes. Noone reads the paper. Noone seems to know. Read, listen, care. It is your duty. And to think, just yesterday, I posted a blog about a summer dress sale. Man.
RIP John Hughes and to all those who have died for our country and those who die senselessly everyday.

SOTD Elton John - I Want Love

This is such a great, great song y'all. A play on a former selve. Places he's been. He experienced his share of heartbreak, as we all do. That's what great about art, your experiences inform it, but you don't have to re-live it over and over to recall the feelings. They can still be cathartic. And you can leave them behind. Otherwise, what is life for, if not for growth?

Elton, himself, has been with the same partner for 24 years. I feel you Elton. I feel you

Summer Dress Sale

Well girls. Here's a smart fashion tip. After owning this Forever 21 dress for 3 weeks, I finally squeezed into it today-with the help of a seamstress friend who took 3 inches out. My body has plumped or changed or something, but that is another story. Odd though, as all I do lately is yoga, work and sleep. Hormones, I suppose.
But tip is this: Forever 21 has ALL their summer dresses between the ungodly prices of $10-$20. Go stock up. This one was $15 and it's classic and cute right? (remember, buy classic things you can wear forever)
And considering I should know what a rip off clothes are retail, compared to what it actually costs to have them made, you can trust me. This dress probably cost about $4.00 to make, if I had to make a guess. So $15 should be about right. Don't waste too much money on clothes.
Anyway, just a helpful, fun tip.

Good Wil Hunting

A girl's just lookin' for a laugh

I need to find some laughter, somewhere. So, I've decided tonite, nothing will do but tea, a warm bubble bath and my boys from England, the Monty Python crew. They never fail me.

SOTD The Omagh Community Youth Choir - Love Rescue Me

From the PBS Special I mentioned in the blog below. I thought this little one from Northern Ireland was beautiful. It also speaks of the Omagh Bomb disaster that not many people know about, nor remember.

Isn't it beautiful they made a choir out of that tragedy? That's powerful change.

PBS and Ideal Dreams

I've always had this overly idealistic dream, that I wish would come true. I wish for one whole year, that America would close all chain supermarkets, restaurants and fast food places. Along with the elimination of those things, all major network television stations would go off the air. What we would have left are local markets, farm stands and public television.
Outside of the anarchy that I am sure would ensue at the start, as this country is so spoon fed on idiotic TV and bad food, the dust would surely settle, and the people left would be forced to take on the world in a whole new way. There would be major change. People would begin to think for themselves, rather than numbing out and/or being bombarded with drug companies advertisements and products that they don't need. Obesity would surely decrease and health would increase.
As much as I want to be proud of my country, it scares me. I don't trust the current President, and I am beginning to not even trust CNN anymore. It's all wrapped up together.
That's why I have always been faithful to Public Television and good radio like NPR (which I've advocated a number of times before on this blog). Watch more Public TV. Learn to think for yourselves, and learn new things. Donate, if you can, as well.
I was inspired to write this blog today, because with my current sleepless nights, PBS has been my late night/early morning friend and I have been lucky to catch some great music specials.
One from this morning was called "Playing For Change. Peace Through Music"
If you go to the PBS website (www.pbs.com) you can purchase the program DVD and music discs and make a donation all for the price of $75.00
There were all sorts of wonderful, revolutionary music, spanning from Nepal and South Africa to France, India and Belgium.
Anyway, I thought it was a great way to donate and get something special and just wanted to share.

SOTD-SHOWER THE PEOPLE -James Taylor by The Dixie Chicks

I've changed. My outlook and desires for life are so different.
With all these thoughts running through my head, I find myself strolling alot. Alone. I love to walk alone, through the trees and down to the water.

On one of these many such walks, I've made a firm decision that I am done with the rat race. NYC carreer girl. I'm signing up for my first Holistic Medicine course. I've wanted to explore this field for many, many years. I always want to make people feel better, and I am fascinated with the mind and the body and it's miraculous healing capabilities, that I want to explore this area more. I want to make a family too. I want a cat and a hammock and a porch. Funny how things can change so quickly. And when they do, your eyes open and you cannot turn back. Nothing looks the same. Mundane routines, coping mechanisms, defenses, and the life I'm used to, just can't be tolerated anymore. But, thank God! I won't run or distract myself from it. I will just make it happen. Someday, soon.

On such a walk yesterday, I remembered something also that inspired this song today. When I worked for Billy Joel, I had seen a funny editorial in The New York Times that had a caption above Billy in a predicament, and the bubble above his head that read:
"My life would be a more appropriate drama if the proper music were always playing in the background."
I always have felt that way too, and I ripped it out and put it on my board. Always made us laugh.
As I walked in silence (which is the way I like to stroll so I can hear my thoughts and nature), I came upon a clearing that lead to the water. It was beautiful, so I took a moment to sit in the sun and enjoy the water.
I pulled out my music and laid back and hit play. And who came on? The great, peaceful, James Taylor. The perfect artist for that moment.
This is my favorite James Taylor song, although there are so many great ones. Don't forget to have some of him too. He is the perfect accompaniment to a Sunday morning or a walk. I love to sing along with him, as I always feel ease when I do.
There are songs like
*Mexico (which has a wonderful, happy steel drum that makes me want to go back) *Country Road *Walking Man *How Sweet It Is *Carolina *Fire and Rain
Listen to him soon. He'll make you happy.
I love this version, so I put this. The harmonies are really pretty and I hope you enjoy it.

When You Have The Lovesick Blues......

....Thank goodness for music and friends.Nothing that laughing and singing can't help fix for the brief moments you can have it. Better than sittin alone and crying.

SOTD-Elton John - Your song

This has to be the song of the day. Just because.
Just because it has to be

500 Days Of Summer

Just saw this movie.
Haven't been to a movie in over 6 months and was making my choice randomly, by myself, as I walked to the ticket counter. I had read some really great reviews on this film in The New York Times ad Vanity Fair recently, so I went with the above, 500 Days Of Summer.
Really, really good. One of the best films I have seen in quite awhile, actually. It's got that quirky, independent feel which I always love. It's extremely clever, heartbreaking, funny and has my favorite of all- an awesome Indie band soundtrack.
It was real. It made me feel real, identifiable feelings, which can be hard to find in the world of the MTV, slick, happy, unrealistic films of today.
I give it a Rolling Stone Peter Travers 4 stars!! :) and highly recommend.