A nice song to relax to.
Time to read awhile til dreamland beckons
Off to Bedfordshire
Night night
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
The Anonymous ft Wilbur ( the unintended oxymoron)
Not sure how I stumbled across this.
Actually I am. I was thinking how interesting it would be to conduct a study on You tube comments, and the impact of anonymity. To be sure, the comments that often accompany documentaries or videos on YouTube can be very interesting. Many can be very offensive, others very thoughtful, some silly, others funny. I wondered if we lived our lives anonymously if we would we be any, or very, different to the face we present to the world.
I don't write under a pseudonym, but I wonder if I did, if I would write any differently.
I don't think so, but it's hard to tell.
People have a lot to say that's for sure, yet the increase in on-line communication, I suspect may have had an impact on our ability to communicate face to face, openly or honestly.
I wonder if the art of conversation really is a dying art, like the art of letter writing perhaps.
Handwriting also used to be quite artistic. Now we ( no, I) tend to scrawl, accustomed as I've become to the speed of the 'keys'
The video itself I found interesting, found him quite a humorous guy. Caste system in India, Tribalism in parts of Africa, class-ism in the West.. and the rest - held together by a set of quite often unpleasant beliefs, and located at the intersection of the meaningless, and the meaningful there exists a confusion - us
Actually I am. I was thinking how interesting it would be to conduct a study on You tube comments, and the impact of anonymity. To be sure, the comments that often accompany documentaries or videos on YouTube can be very interesting. Many can be very offensive, others very thoughtful, some silly, others funny. I wondered if we lived our lives anonymously if we would we be any, or very, different to the face we present to the world.
I don't write under a pseudonym, but I wonder if I did, if I would write any differently.
I don't think so, but it's hard to tell.
People have a lot to say that's for sure, yet the increase in on-line communication, I suspect may have had an impact on our ability to communicate face to face, openly or honestly.
I wonder if the art of conversation really is a dying art, like the art of letter writing perhaps.
Handwriting also used to be quite artistic. Now we ( no, I) tend to scrawl, accustomed as I've become to the speed of the 'keys'
The video itself I found interesting, found him quite a humorous guy. Caste system in India, Tribalism in parts of Africa, class-ism in the West.. and the rest - held together by a set of quite often unpleasant beliefs, and located at the intersection of the meaningless, and the meaningful there exists a confusion - us
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
About love companions
Funny post really, but I got to thinking about marriage and how to make the right choice. ( funny because I really didn't intend to)
My research is based mainly on checking out the '21st century bible’ Google ( not wishing to downplay the good book ), but is there anything you can't find nowadays? (Yes, I suspect there is)
Anyway, experience and advice of others always lurks in the background, so it’s not just Google alone. This post itself is work in progress but it’s nice to ponder sometimes.
Firstly, marriage is certainly not the be all and end all by any means. In fact It doesn’t have to be an aim at all, rather a natural progression from something wonderful, to something even more wonderful.
It can be/is ( If you desire it be so) the ultimate stage of a love commitment.
Yet it didn’t start out that way.
Originally, marriage for the purpose of love wasn't practiced at all. For many years, women were property, an asset to a man, and pretty much had no identity or voice but through her husband. There were clear roles, and it involved keeping home, reproducing, and satisfying male sexual desire. Women's needs were not considered, and they were viewed as quite silly ‘feckless’ things with childlike brains... Useful, but not quite right somehow.
Some may say not much has changed, but they’d be wrong. .. yet right.. no wrong.. yet..
There are still some lingering preconceptions attached to both women and men with regards to social standing etc, and depending on how a couple live, a women may not have much of a voice, or say, but in the society we live in now, that way of being is no longer deemed acceptable.
It also depends on where in the world you live.
Anyway, I’m going off point. This was/is meant to be a romantic post.
You see the thing is, it’s simply about sharing your life with another, and that’s why some say, it can be the most difficult decision a person will ever make. But why difficult?.
The natural flow of love and attraction will bring two people together, you then get to find out whether or not you’re compatible, if you are great, if not, great.. lid for every pot.
A person will always know when someone loves them, not by what they say necessarily, but by what they do.
‘Google says’ ( I'll paraphrase some kind of summary) you should never get into a relationship ( you can but they tend not to be great) to heal past hurts, pain within, to prove a point, complete aspects of you that may be lacking , or any other reason aside from to share the love, wholeness, and splendour of who you are at every level.. spiritually, emotionally, physically, the whole nine yards. Obvious things such as respect, honesty, admiration, loyalty, commitment, and all those other wonderful thing all come into play, strength of character, authenticity, fun laughter, a passion for life shared interests, kindness etc.
It's true that no two relationships are alike, but strong love relationships, tend to share similar characteristics, and whilst a companion may inspire us to be the best we can be, continue to improve ourselves etc, they never seek to change who you are. For example, a man who loves a woman will love her regardless of flaws physical or otherwise ( he’ll either tend not to see them, at least he’ll view them in a different light.. compassionately?) There would be no need for that woman to look like a supermodel, perform swing from the chandeliers sexual antics, or do anything really.. other than be herself. Equally, a man will feel able to be himself too. and it’s through that level of acceptance, that anything is possible, and nice little surprises can occur, spontaneous free and true.
Truth, trust, and acceptance tends to create a natural desire to please.
Sometimes anyway..
So what did 'Google' say?.
Lots.. but in summary (again) the themes are..
Fall in love with yourself. The real you. Really know yourself. Work on improving aspects of yourself you may not be keen on, or no longer serve you well. Be the person you would fall in love with if you were on the outside looking in. Don’t get drawn in to drama, lose or hide your ‘light’. Your lover will support your dreams and aspirations without fear, secure in the knowledge that they are a part of your life, (do the same also). Enjoy each day, ride the downs, be real. Everyone has ‘down days’.
Ironically, in reality, the process itself is pretty straightforward, a little like breathing in and breathing out so to speak. It occurs so naturally that you’re almost not even aware of it at all. It just feels right, completely ’click in to place’ right, on every level. Makes you smile.
Often it can be what you least expect, or everything you expect, both in who you decide to live with, and how you choose to live
As India Aire says it tends to be a 'beautiful surprise'
you may even choose to live apart.. who knows
Prepare yourself
Hmm, this post wasn't romantic enough.. I did say it was work in progress.. must do better.
Okay, maybe this will help..
Help me out here India.. my words weren't enough
Night night
**
Always loved this song on the album.. hey, didn't know she was Libran too, cool.
My research is based mainly on checking out the '21st century bible’ Google ( not wishing to downplay the good book ), but is there anything you can't find nowadays? (Yes, I suspect there is)
Anyway, experience and advice of others always lurks in the background, so it’s not just Google alone. This post itself is work in progress but it’s nice to ponder sometimes.
Firstly, marriage is certainly not the be all and end all by any means. In fact It doesn’t have to be an aim at all, rather a natural progression from something wonderful, to something even more wonderful.
It can be/is ( If you desire it be so) the ultimate stage of a love commitment.
Yet it didn’t start out that way.
Originally, marriage for the purpose of love wasn't practiced at all. For many years, women were property, an asset to a man, and pretty much had no identity or voice but through her husband. There were clear roles, and it involved keeping home, reproducing, and satisfying male sexual desire. Women's needs were not considered, and they were viewed as quite silly ‘feckless’ things with childlike brains... Useful, but not quite right somehow.
Some may say not much has changed, but they’d be wrong. .. yet right.. no wrong.. yet..
There are still some lingering preconceptions attached to both women and men with regards to social standing etc, and depending on how a couple live, a women may not have much of a voice, or say, but in the society we live in now, that way of being is no longer deemed acceptable.
It also depends on where in the world you live.
Anyway, I’m going off point. This was/is meant to be a romantic post.
You see the thing is, it’s simply about sharing your life with another, and that’s why some say, it can be the most difficult decision a person will ever make. But why difficult?.
The natural flow of love and attraction will bring two people together, you then get to find out whether or not you’re compatible, if you are great, if not, great.. lid for every pot.
A person will always know when someone loves them, not by what they say necessarily, but by what they do.
‘Google says’ ( I'll paraphrase some kind of summary) you should never get into a relationship ( you can but they tend not to be great) to heal past hurts, pain within, to prove a point, complete aspects of you that may be lacking , or any other reason aside from to share the love, wholeness, and splendour of who you are at every level.. spiritually, emotionally, physically, the whole nine yards. Obvious things such as respect, honesty, admiration, loyalty, commitment, and all those other wonderful thing all come into play, strength of character, authenticity, fun laughter, a passion for life shared interests, kindness etc.
It's true that no two relationships are alike, but strong love relationships, tend to share similar characteristics, and whilst a companion may inspire us to be the best we can be, continue to improve ourselves etc, they never seek to change who you are. For example, a man who loves a woman will love her regardless of flaws physical or otherwise ( he’ll either tend not to see them, at least he’ll view them in a different light.. compassionately?) There would be no need for that woman to look like a supermodel, perform swing from the chandeliers sexual antics, or do anything really.. other than be herself. Equally, a man will feel able to be himself too. and it’s through that level of acceptance, that anything is possible, and nice little surprises can occur, spontaneous free and true.
Truth, trust, and acceptance tends to create a natural desire to please.
Sometimes anyway..
So what did 'Google' say?.
Lots.. but in summary (again) the themes are..
Fall in love with yourself. The real you. Really know yourself. Work on improving aspects of yourself you may not be keen on, or no longer serve you well. Be the person you would fall in love with if you were on the outside looking in. Don’t get drawn in to drama, lose or hide your ‘light’. Your lover will support your dreams and aspirations without fear, secure in the knowledge that they are a part of your life, (do the same also). Enjoy each day, ride the downs, be real. Everyone has ‘down days’.
Ironically, in reality, the process itself is pretty straightforward, a little like breathing in and breathing out so to speak. It occurs so naturally that you’re almost not even aware of it at all. It just feels right, completely ’click in to place’ right, on every level. Makes you smile.
Often it can be what you least expect, or everything you expect, both in who you decide to live with, and how you choose to live
As India Aire says it tends to be a 'beautiful surprise'
you may even choose to live apart.. who knows
Prepare yourself
Hmm, this post wasn't romantic enough.. I did say it was work in progress.. must do better.
Okay, maybe this will help..
Help me out here India.. my words weren't enough
Night night
**
Always loved this song on the album.. hey, didn't know she was Libran too, cool.
Sunday, 24 February 2013
Up Park Camp - John Holt
This evening.. out of nowhere this song came to mind. To be honest I wasn't even thinking about music at all, something entirely different, but there it was.. and I couldn't remember the name at all.
Up John's Park?? I Googled. I was hoping I didn't get some odd seedy porn but it was my best shot.. I knew it was 'up something'.
But then, turns out it was good enough, as this is that song
Up Park Camp - by John Holt
It's amazing the way that songs remain in the memory, lurking away in the subconscious. I can't remember actually paying it that much attention at the time - but, in feeling it as I do, I must have, without even knowing.
Imagine what else is back there. Everything. absolutely everything
Ever encounter, experience... It must be.
I wonder what it is about my childhood that has me going back there as often as I do.
Not in a weird way, it's just things that come to mind, music, people, sights, sounds.
I wonder if there's something I am avoiding(now), thus seeking comfort, in the comfort of that which I know and love.
I don't think so, but it's worth looking at.
On the couch with 'Frasier Crane' so to speak - I think it's simply a love of music, the occasional over-active mind, a combination of being a lover of warm vibes, and being a romantic.
Besides.. it's Sunday, beautiful Sunday.
The day when we tend to prepare ourselves for the working week, finish the washing, a little ironing perhaps, chill with a little Studio 1, bark at Ti abit for good measure, or grab a book and a duvet.
I've studied quite a lot this weekend, so even a romcom may be on the cards
Happy soul-mate Sunday.. reggae revival selection.. ft John Holt
Up John's Park?? I Googled. I was hoping I didn't get some odd seedy porn but it was my best shot.. I knew it was 'up something'.
But then, turns out it was good enough, as this is that song
Up Park Camp - by John Holt
It's amazing the way that songs remain in the memory, lurking away in the subconscious. I can't remember actually paying it that much attention at the time - but, in feeling it as I do, I must have, without even knowing.
Imagine what else is back there. Everything. absolutely everything
Ever encounter, experience... It must be.
I wonder what it is about my childhood that has me going back there as often as I do.
Not in a weird way, it's just things that come to mind, music, people, sights, sounds.
I wonder if there's something I am avoiding(now), thus seeking comfort, in the comfort of that which I know and love.
I don't think so, but it's worth looking at.
On the couch with 'Frasier Crane' so to speak - I think it's simply a love of music, the occasional over-active mind, a combination of being a lover of warm vibes, and being a romantic.
Besides.. it's Sunday, beautiful Sunday.
The day when we tend to prepare ourselves for the working week, finish the washing, a little ironing perhaps, chill with a little Studio 1, bark at Ti abit for good measure, or grab a book and a duvet.
I've studied quite a lot this weekend, so even a romcom may be on the cards
Happy soul-mate Sunday.. reggae revival selection.. ft John Holt
Saturday, 23 February 2013
The story of Marcus Garvey
May need headphones - low sound.
A very interesting documentary on Garvey, and the UNIA movement.
With coverage of the Black Star line, an insight into how militant Garvey was,
the divisions with WEB Du bois, this documentary covers a great deal. It is, even now, amazing what one mans vision can set in motion, yet in his growing isolation, and the decline of the black star line, Garvey confided in a 'friend' who turned out to be an informant.
Garvey was powerful enough at one stage to have caused J Edgar Hoover to employ the 1st full time black agent - agent 800.
Numbers grew. He may have been the 1st, but was not the last.
Of the love story with Amy Garvey (who tackled a gunman to save her lover its said) it was rocky.
'Having a wife is an impediment to my work and peace of mind' he's reported to have said once.
'I cant pay her personal attention as the average husband..
Marcus Garvey Jr states he never saw his father laugh
Always serious.
Triumph and tragedy. Perhaps beneath it all , simply an ordinary man with an extraordinary vision, and ability to mobilise people?.
It's true that his ideas were not new, but perhaps in many ways Garvey became a 'poster boy' of an idea.
Egotist?, megalomaniac?, true leader?, blessed..?
A powerful legacy
A fascinating story.
A very interesting documentary on Garvey, and the UNIA movement.
With coverage of the Black Star line, an insight into how militant Garvey was,
the divisions with WEB Du bois, this documentary covers a great deal. It is, even now, amazing what one mans vision can set in motion, yet in his growing isolation, and the decline of the black star line, Garvey confided in a 'friend' who turned out to be an informant.
Garvey was powerful enough at one stage to have caused J Edgar Hoover to employ the 1st full time black agent - agent 800.
Numbers grew. He may have been the 1st, but was not the last.
Of the love story with Amy Garvey (who tackled a gunman to save her lover its said) it was rocky.
'Having a wife is an impediment to my work and peace of mind' he's reported to have said once.
'I cant pay her personal attention as the average husband..
Marcus Garvey Jr states he never saw his father laugh
Always serious.
Triumph and tragedy. Perhaps beneath it all , simply an ordinary man with an extraordinary vision, and ability to mobilise people?.
It's true that his ideas were not new, but perhaps in many ways Garvey became a 'poster boy' of an idea.
Egotist?, megalomaniac?, true leader?, blessed..?
A powerful legacy
A fascinating story.
Friday, 22 February 2013
Do you ever wonder..
What power the universe?
To repair what was once broken
Does there exist that which has been broken, that can’t be fixed?
A door, a chair, a table, a country, a heart, an economy ?
Some things appear perhaps beyond our capabilities
Surpassing our level of skill or wisdom
Do you ever wonder..
What power the universe?
In setting our own limitations we limit its power
Yet it really has no limits
To repair what was once broken
Does there exist that which has been broken, that can’t be fixed?
A door, a chair, a table, a country, a heart, an economy ?
Some things appear perhaps beyond our capabilities
Surpassing our level of skill or wisdom
Do you ever wonder..
What power the universe?
In setting our own limitations we limit its power
Yet it really has no limits
Friday
Sweet reflective Fridays
A nice and busy week so it’s great to have some down time.
Love notes
Take a word or two to convey a feeling
An emotion
That which cannot be contained but yearns for freedom
For expansion
To cloak everything in its radiance and bliss
To shed light on whatever darkness descends upon
To breathe life into all it touches
To find laughter amidst sorrow
But to embrace sorrow in the knowledge that all is transient
Love notes
The life blood of humanity
A never-ending flow of words
Perhaps one word
Or two
Words that refuse to demand action
But inspire action nonetheless
Love notes breathe
Heartbeat after heartbeat
A lid for every pot it's said
Love notes find their way home
A soujourner no more
Its resting place is the heart
Happy sweet Friday night
Put pen to paper
Enjoy your love notes
A nice and busy week so it’s great to have some down time.
Love notes
Take a word or two to convey a feeling
An emotion
That which cannot be contained but yearns for freedom
For expansion
To cloak everything in its radiance and bliss
To shed light on whatever darkness descends upon
To breathe life into all it touches
To find laughter amidst sorrow
But to embrace sorrow in the knowledge that all is transient
Love notes
The life blood of humanity
A never-ending flow of words
Perhaps one word
Or two
Words that refuse to demand action
But inspire action nonetheless
Love notes breathe
Heartbeat after heartbeat
A lid for every pot it's said
Love notes find their way home
A soujourner no more
Its resting place is the heart
Happy sweet Friday night
Put pen to paper
Enjoy your love notes
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Sky Fall - Everything is everything - L Hill
A comet ‘fell’ from the sky and hit Russia.
Pretty huge really.
An Asteroid missed the earth by 17000 miles
Yet many took that news rather well. Other events superseded that news story.
I've seen a shooting star before, but nothing like that
Pretty huge really.
An Asteroid missed the earth by 17000 miles
Yet many took that news rather well. Other events superseded that news story.
I've seen a shooting star before, but nothing like that
The business of good business
Every year my mum used to plant flowers in my back yard. In doing my best to maintain what was always a great job, I’d unwittingly... pull them up.
I was unable to tell the difference between weeds and flowers. It’s easily done when you lack experience.
Flowers can sometimes look like weeds, and weeds flowers.
“Where are the flowers?” mum would ask
“ Errr.. I dunno.. “
“You pull them out?”
Silence
Patience jargo. Patience. Any seed you plant will grow.. just have to plant the right seeds and wait. That’s when the most beautiful flowers will grow.
Yes, you can be sure, that with the right environment, and care, without a doubt, flowers will bloom..
Yes, they always do.. often sooner than you think.
My interest in race and racism has always been accompanied by an interest in African states.. the politics.. the history.. the 'drama'.. Some states more than others. Engrossed in war conflict and development, I’m currently gripped by the notion of aid and poverty reduction strategies. Does aid reduce poverty, or create it?
Trade that benefits one over another is often seen as good business, for the one who benefits most. But 'good business' can create humanitarian crisis.. hostilities, and conflict.
It’s said that 'good foreign policy' is devoid of emotion, but must seek solely the wisdom of the intellect.
But human as we are, we cannot survive on intellect alone. Surely that’s like planting a seed and denying it water.
China protects China. Yet who protects Africa?
Not Africans it would seem.
'It’s not nationalist though'.. I hear people say.
'It’s simply good business'.
I'm generalising I know. Many African countries are doing okay..
Trade and development are essential for sure, but if history has taught us anything it's that life under colonial rule can have dire consequences.
Trust is essential
Many of these trade deals come with risks, but perhaps it's a risk that has to be taken. In the perceived absence of an alternative.
Question is.. why is there little alternative?
I was unable to tell the difference between weeds and flowers. It’s easily done when you lack experience.
Flowers can sometimes look like weeds, and weeds flowers.
“Where are the flowers?” mum would ask
“ Errr.. I dunno.. “
“You pull them out?”
Silence
Patience jargo. Patience. Any seed you plant will grow.. just have to plant the right seeds and wait. That’s when the most beautiful flowers will grow.
Yes, you can be sure, that with the right environment, and care, without a doubt, flowers will bloom..
Yes, they always do.. often sooner than you think.
My interest in race and racism has always been accompanied by an interest in African states.. the politics.. the history.. the 'drama'.. Some states more than others. Engrossed in war conflict and development, I’m currently gripped by the notion of aid and poverty reduction strategies. Does aid reduce poverty, or create it?
Trade that benefits one over another is often seen as good business, for the one who benefits most. But 'good business' can create humanitarian crisis.. hostilities, and conflict.
It’s said that 'good foreign policy' is devoid of emotion, but must seek solely the wisdom of the intellect.
But human as we are, we cannot survive on intellect alone. Surely that’s like planting a seed and denying it water.
China protects China. Yet who protects Africa?
Not Africans it would seem.
'It’s not nationalist though'.. I hear people say.
'It’s simply good business'.
I'm generalising I know. Many African countries are doing okay..
Trade and development are essential for sure, but if history has taught us anything it's that life under colonial rule can have dire consequences.
Trust is essential
Many of these trade deals come with risks, but perhaps it's a risk that has to be taken. In the perceived absence of an alternative.
Question is.. why is there little alternative?
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Sunday, 3 February 2013
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