Ok-yours truly usually tries her absolute best to post as much original content here as possible. This month, it has been a bit of a struggle. However, in attempts to figure out what to post for this month, I came across this gem to share with you all-
http://soundcloud.com/my-two-sense/your-emotions-twosdays
P.S. Do get familiar with George 2.0, the man behind "Two's Days". Thank me later.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
"Vitamin H"
Recently, my hometown's zoo launched a PR campain called "Vitamin Z", extolling the benifits of bringing children to the zoo. This past month had me musing on a similar concept I'd like to dub "Vitamin H"-the human connection.
The fast-paced, "gotta-have-it-now" nature of contemporary life has been discussed ad infinitum. It's importance, though, cannot be overstated in terms of highlighting the need to get back to a one-on-one connection with other people. Two recent examples exemplified this:
1) One Snday, I noticed an older couple I know at my church come in for Mass. The lady is blind and can't get around well. Her husband dutifully carries her oxygen tank, takes her around in her wheelchair, and guides her by the hand when needed. Though I've seen them do this every Sunday they come to church, it wasn't until that particular day that the connection between them stood out to me. It seemed as if it wasn't about what one could get from the other, but the genuine bond between them as humans.
2) The day before my birthday, my sorority sister I was inducted with called me and told me to make sure I had the next afternoon free. The next day, I was picked up by another sorority sister to go to her house. There, they had pizza, cake, and ice cream and sang happy birthday to me. I originally didn't have much planned in terms of celebrating. It was quite the unexpected surprise, though. What really mattered, though, was being with my sorors, present in the moment.
How many times do we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our lives, doing most of our communicating with our loved ones via text, e-mail, or social media? When was the last time you actually enjoyed the physical presence of a friend, family member, or mate? That's the human connection, the "Vitamin H". Enjoy it once in a while.
The fast-paced, "gotta-have-it-now" nature of contemporary life has been discussed ad infinitum. It's importance, though, cannot be overstated in terms of highlighting the need to get back to a one-on-one connection with other people. Two recent examples exemplified this:
1) One Snday, I noticed an older couple I know at my church come in for Mass. The lady is blind and can't get around well. Her husband dutifully carries her oxygen tank, takes her around in her wheelchair, and guides her by the hand when needed. Though I've seen them do this every Sunday they come to church, it wasn't until that particular day that the connection between them stood out to me. It seemed as if it wasn't about what one could get from the other, but the genuine bond between them as humans.
2) The day before my birthday, my sorority sister I was inducted with called me and told me to make sure I had the next afternoon free. The next day, I was picked up by another sorority sister to go to her house. There, they had pizza, cake, and ice cream and sang happy birthday to me. I originally didn't have much planned in terms of celebrating. It was quite the unexpected surprise, though. What really mattered, though, was being with my sorors, present in the moment.
How many times do we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our lives, doing most of our communicating with our loved ones via text, e-mail, or social media? When was the last time you actually enjoyed the physical presence of a friend, family member, or mate? That's the human connection, the "Vitamin H". Enjoy it once in a while.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
2 Years and Counting...
Ok, ok. It's been established that yours truly a F.A.N.D.R.O.I.D. The story of how it began, however, goes back to this very date 2 years ago.
It was my first Janelle Monae show, which was at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in my hometown of Detroit, MI. Let's flash back, though, to a few weeks earlier. A co-worker of mine offered a set of Royal Oak Music Theatre season tickets she won. The only acts I was vaguely familiar with was Janelle Monae and Of Montreal, so I chose those tickets.
*Cue September 20, 2010*
Given I was tired from work, I was close to not even going to the show. Something in me, though, really wanted to tough it out and go. With that, I hastily change clothes and hop the bus. Luckily, I walked through the door just in time.
I arrive unaware of what to expect. I hadn't been in to a show that wasn't electronic music in years. On top of that, though I new the names of both acts, I hadn't heard their music in full before. Shortly before the show started, a woman in front of me gave me, shall I say, a warning of how good Janelle's show was going to be. Lo and behold, she was right-and then some. Being the observant person I am, I decide to stay towards the middle of the room to get a full view.
The house lights drop, and the magic begins.
From start to finish, Janelle's entire set had me in awe. I was in disbelief in what I saw. Every song and movement coming from this woman was literally like nothing I've ever heard or seen in my life. Here's a taste of what my eyes and ears had been witness to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0-b8flQB10
(This is a clip from the show I luckily found on YouTube. THANK YOU to whoever posted this)
Imagine seeing that for the first time. EVER. My mind did a veritable jaw drop. By the end I wanted to know who this woman was.
I stayed for a few songs of Of Montreal's performance. Less excited about that perfomance than Janelle's, I decide to go to the lobby and wrap up the night by calling a cab. That wasn't before asking the vendor more information about Janelle, though-and fulfilling the overwhelming need to buy her music. After a short mental deliberation on which of her albums to buy, I decided to buy the ArchAndroid. Upon arriving home, I immediately gave it a listen.
The rest, as they say, is history.
It was my first Janelle Monae show, which was at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in my hometown of Detroit, MI. Let's flash back, though, to a few weeks earlier. A co-worker of mine offered a set of Royal Oak Music Theatre season tickets she won. The only acts I was vaguely familiar with was Janelle Monae and Of Montreal, so I chose those tickets.
*Cue September 20, 2010*
Given I was tired from work, I was close to not even going to the show. Something in me, though, really wanted to tough it out and go. With that, I hastily change clothes and hop the bus. Luckily, I walked through the door just in time.
I arrive unaware of what to expect. I hadn't been in to a show that wasn't electronic music in years. On top of that, though I new the names of both acts, I hadn't heard their music in full before. Shortly before the show started, a woman in front of me gave me, shall I say, a warning of how good Janelle's show was going to be. Lo and behold, she was right-and then some. Being the observant person I am, I decide to stay towards the middle of the room to get a full view.
The house lights drop, and the magic begins.
From start to finish, Janelle's entire set had me in awe. I was in disbelief in what I saw. Every song and movement coming from this woman was literally like nothing I've ever heard or seen in my life. Here's a taste of what my eyes and ears had been witness to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0-b8flQB10
(This is a clip from the show I luckily found on YouTube. THANK YOU to whoever posted this)
Imagine seeing that for the first time. EVER. My mind did a veritable jaw drop. By the end I wanted to know who this woman was.
I stayed for a few songs of Of Montreal's performance. Less excited about that perfomance than Janelle's, I decide to go to the lobby and wrap up the night by calling a cab. That wasn't before asking the vendor more information about Janelle, though-and fulfilling the overwhelming need to buy her music. After a short mental deliberation on which of her albums to buy, I decided to buy the ArchAndroid. Upon arriving home, I immediately gave it a listen.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Some Sounds to Look Forward To
Well, well, well-
It looks like some fantastic music will be gracing the ears of the masses soon in the form of new works by Roman GianArthur, ACEG, and Flying Lotus. Here's the deal:
Flying Lotus-
Even if you haven't heard of him, you've probably heard his music in the Adult Swim bumpers. His new album Until the Quiet Comes comes out October 2. www.flying-lotus.com (Oh, and yeah-Don't leave the site before watching the album's short film. Make sure to listen to his 2010 masterpiece Cosmogramma as well)
ACEG-
The geniuses behind the M.I.L.K. and Be Kool EPs are at it again with the Kool as Hell EP. From the looks of the tweets and Facebook the it's almost ready for release.Who is ACEG, you ask? Go to www.acegmusic.tumblr.com. While you're at it, do yourself a favor and listen to the aforementioned EPs. You'll thank me later.
Roman GianArthur
You already know I'm a huge supporter of Janelle Monae and her Wondaland Arts Society. Well, here comes one of the masterminds behind her album, The ArchAndroid, with "High and Dry-Send It On"- a mashup of the songs from Radiohead and D'Angelo, respictively. It's from his upcoming suite "You Should Be Paranoid", which is said to be a whole album of D'Angelo/Radiohead song mixes. www.romangianarthur.tumblr.com is the place to go.
Until next time!
It looks like some fantastic music will be gracing the ears of the masses soon in the form of new works by Roman GianArthur, ACEG, and Flying Lotus. Here's the deal:
Flying Lotus-
Even if you haven't heard of him, you've probably heard his music in the Adult Swim bumpers. His new album Until the Quiet Comes comes out October 2. www.flying-lotus.com (Oh, and yeah-Don't leave the site before watching the album's short film. Make sure to listen to his 2010 masterpiece Cosmogramma as well)
ACEG-
The geniuses behind the M.I.L.K. and Be Kool EPs are at it again with the Kool as Hell EP. From the looks of the tweets and Facebook the it's almost ready for release.Who is ACEG, you ask? Go to www.acegmusic.tumblr.com. While you're at it, do yourself a favor and listen to the aforementioned EPs. You'll thank me later.
Roman GianArthur
You already know I'm a huge supporter of Janelle Monae and her Wondaland Arts Society. Well, here comes one of the masterminds behind her album, The ArchAndroid, with "High and Dry-Send It On"- a mashup of the songs from Radiohead and D'Angelo, respictively. It's from his upcoming suite "You Should Be Paranoid", which is said to be a whole album of D'Angelo/Radiohead song mixes. www.romangianarthur.tumblr.com is the place to go.
Until next time!
Friday, August 31, 2012
A Little Something Something for Your Day
So,
Your humble blogger's intended post for this month unfortunately fell through. However, I'd like to share a nugget of inspiration:
"If you are who you are called to be, you would set the world on fire"
-St. Catherine of Siena
Your humble blogger's intended post for this month unfortunately fell through. However, I'd like to share a nugget of inspiration:
"If you are who you are called to be, you would set the world on fire"
-St. Catherine of Siena
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Thoughts on New Orleans
(A view of the Superdome from my hotel taken from my camera phone)
A couple of weeks ago, your humble blogger went to The Big Easy for a conference. Nearing the hotel, my eyes came across this structure: The Superdome. Upon seeing this up-close and personal, it was hard to imagine what happened in there 7 years ago post-Katrina. May this and the entire New Orleans story serve as a testament to bouncing back after adversity. Also, let us never forget so the past cannot be repeated.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Global Call For Peace (Poem)
How about
making peace
instead of blowing each other to pieces
with guns and bombs
I have a problem
with having to fear
that violence will come near
to me, my family, my friends, my people
We've dug ourselves into deep holes
Too many souls
have been lost at the end of a
gun
fist
knife
The strife
has got to end
Instead, let's send
LOVE
from Detroit to Damascus
It's all I ask
of us
Like Fela I want to bring a coffin to a state official
and say
"Let's make it official
that love
will be our driving force
instead of brute force
ruling our lives"
Like Janelle said
"This is a cold war"
Let's shout "NO MORE"
and create
a state
of well being
for all
making peace
instead of blowing each other to pieces
with guns and bombs
I have a problem
with having to fear
that violence will come near
to me, my family, my friends, my people
We've dug ourselves into deep holes
Too many souls
have been lost at the end of a
gun
fist
knife
The strife
has got to end
Instead, let's send
LOVE
from Detroit to Damascus
It's all I ask
of us
Like Fela I want to bring a coffin to a state official
and say
"Let's make it official
that love
will be our driving force
instead of brute force
ruling our lives"
Like Janelle said
"This is a cold war"
Let's shout "NO MORE"
and create
a state
of well being
for all
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