Friday, 31 March 2017

She Dreams to Rolling Stones 1964 without music 
A woman dreams of being young again 
The Rolling Stones young again 


She Dreams (sonnet) 

She dreams again about her days of youth
With eyes which added wonder to the sky
And lips cast kisses made the flowers sigh
A world where Joyous teardrops bore the truth
-
Those wrinkles were mere questions passing by
Does he still pine each moment they�re away
What shall she wear to help impress the day
She dreams about those days and wonders why
-
When did those magic whispers choose to stray
Amid the memory�s forgotten spring
Another hope another heart to sing
Another lost tomorrow to betray
-
Yet through his eyes her moods would gaily swing
She�s beautiful and time won�t change a thing 


An aging lady dreams of being young once more in this sonnet. This may look like a Shakespearean sonnet. But it is not. It doesn't follow the normal rhyme schemes. On closer examination the middle rhymes become the outer rhymes of the next stanza, A/B/B/A, B/C/C/B, C/D/D/C, D/D) This was done to imitate a flower's petals. 

Amor doesn't like to wear too much makeup. (Not that she needs to.) She does take an inordinate amount of time choosing an outfit. She will put on a minimum of three before choosing one. She will ask my opinion, which is always good (honestly good), but changes until she is satisfied. No matter how many times she does it, I find the whole routine funny, fascinating and new. It was one of the things that attracted me to Amor. Not only me, but people who enjoy having her around. She is funny and does funny things. Not stupid or dumb, but rather cute and fascinating. There is a freshness to her behavior. Her best friend is her mirror. Around it she keeps pictures of herself when she was younger and when we were courting. Now here is the riddle she deals with. Amor is much, much older than that young lady off on her own. It has been almost 10 years since those courting days. Yet there in the mirror is a truly attractive lady. It seems the years have been really kind to her. Or was it me telling her how beautiful she is. I tell her often and then she glances in a mirror (for this reason or that) to see if I'm telling the  truth. It is true. People tell her how young she looks. Her friends are showing their age. Why is Amor growing more beautiful? Here is the riddle Amor searches for in her mirror. 

The wonders of a woman. Make her believe she's beautiful and she becomes beautiful. There is a bit more to it. We must be honest. She must be truly beautiful to us. It cannot be just a bunch of words, no matter how good the intentions There must be some observable truth behind the compliment or observation, Something she and/or others can observe. With these criterion met, the woman becomes beautiful. More. The woman can do this on her own. She can tell herself she's beautiful. She sees it. and so it is. More, This process is not limited to beauty or women.  A student's improvement in school, someone's work performance, the way we are treated and a myriad of other opportunities. It is the power of positives. The process is simple, Positives attract positives. The more positives. the more positives are attracted. So the beautiful lady becomes more beautiful. This will not work for everything. If a person has no voice, that person cannot sing. They may be able to play the piano. We all are wonders. If we haven't yet discover the power of positives, get ready to be amazed. As wonderful as we are, we can be more. Welcome positives into our live and Enjoy.


If we need a reminder: Joe Cocker "You Are So Beautiful" 

Let's take The Rolling Stones and take away the music 


The Rolling Stones were formed in London in 1962. The original line-up consisted of Brian Jones (rhythm guitar, harmonica), Mick Jagger (lead vocals), Keith Richards (lead guitar, backing vocals), Bill Wyman (bass), Charlie Watts (drums), and Ian Stewart (piano). Stewart was removed in 1963, Just for fun, let's also remove the music. 
So here they are on the TAMI Show in 1964 in Los Angeles. "Musicless Musicvideo / ROLLING STONES 1964 live at the T.A.M.I. show"


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Aging has a wonderful beauty 
and we should have respect for that. 
Eartha Kitt


Wednesday, 29 March 2017

Grim Reminder to White Zombie 
Down one street flows a grim reminder 
Down another street walks the grim reminders 


Grim Reminder (villanelle) 

You see the river flowing down the street
I turn away pretending it�s not there
It is the grim reminder of defeat
-
Although I hide I hear my son repeat
The fear which is broadcasted everywhere
You see the river flowing down the street
-
In silence do I let him future meet
As life to serve our country he does swear
It is the grim reminder of defeat
-
With every letter to refuge retreat
His words an echo of the daily fare
You see the river flowing down the street
-
Another night of bombings I must greet
As even dreams retell the whole affair
It is the grim reminder of defeat
-
With failure to do anything complete
As blood of my dear son I�m forced to bear
You see the river flowing down the street
It is the grim reminder of defeat


A father must bear the result of his failure to do anything are the waves of this villanelle. Villanelles  look complicated but they're really not. If you are interested in trying your hand at on go here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villanelle. In this villanelle the final lines act as echoes. Something is wrong but the answer does come until the end. 

I am against war, as I know we all are. This poem is not about me. I was very involved with youth groups. One of my fathers was very vocal about President George W. Bush. He didn't like him. At every big event we got the privilege (not) of listening to this father's complaints about the president. When the boy turned 18 he joined the army. We found this out because the father continued to attend events when his son left for training. Evidently the father was unaware of his son's intentions. When President Bush went off with Iraq having weapons of mass destruction, that was all this father talked about. He thought there was something else going on. When war broke out, the son was sent to fight in Iraq. He came back badly wounded (he was wheelchair bound). The father was even more wounded. In his mind: All that he did was complain. He didn't even know of his son's intentions to join the military.Every time he looks at his son he is reminded of all the things he didn't do. This villanelle is about the defeat of a father and of a nation. 

As a Mason, I am discourage from personally talking about politics except if it involve the public schools. (Politic tends to make people fight.) I can encourage others to get involved. With that said; A great deal of my success with my fund raising activities was due to my personal appearances. When it came to the public schools, I had to add phone calls, letters and attending board of education and city supervisors meetings. As citizens, we should all vote at all elections. It is my opinion: if person doesn't vote, they shouldn't complain about the outcome of an election. The political process doesn't end at voting. Sometimes we have to contact our leaders. "But I am just one voice. What difference will that make?' A lot of people think that. Enough people that one phone call or letter represents many. Get some other people involved and 10 become 100's, 100's become 1,000's. There might be others, who share our beliefs. Organize. There may be marches or protests. Even if we cannot attend or participate, we should show our support. In our political system, there is so much more we can do. Keep this in mind: We can fight or we can improve. Together, we can do so much more. I saw what a group of people did for the public schools. I know what we can accomplish, if we try. Exorcise our rights. Be an active part of a positive change. See the difference we can make and Enjoy.


A song for our heroes: Johnny Horton "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" 

If we thought zombies were bad 


The idea of a walking, shuffling undead being first came into western civilization's horrified consciousness with the publication of a jarring 1929 novel by William Seabrook called "The Magic Island". As if these monsters weren't horrible enough, Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele have discovered another layer of disgust about these abominations. 
What can be worse than a zombie? "Key & Peele - White Zombies" 


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What a cruel thing war is... to fill our hearts 
with hatred instead of love for our neighbors. 
Robert E. Lee


 

Monday, 27 March 2017

What Is A Dream to You Can Do Anything 
A focus on the power of dreams 
Were can the power of dream take us 


What Is A Dream (poem)

What is a dream
But hopes so depending on you
To make all their purpose come true
A fanciful flight
Your wings to ignite
What is a dream
-
A hidden stream
Of wonders waiting to break through
To change the world you thought you knew
A realm blazing bright
Awaiting your light
What is a dream
-
No matter theme
Of beauty coming into view
Reason can�t stop what dreamers do
Each wish out of sight
Your will shall incite
What is a dream
-
Living in gleam
Of fantasies an artist drew
And be that person always new
A secret held tight
Breaks loose to delight
What is a dream
-
Silently scream
Through magic moments known by few
Of cloudy times away you blew
A star of such height
Makes others unite
You are the dream 


The stream of a dream and what it may seem fills the lines of this poem. The rhyme scheme of this poem should have become self evident.  The beat pattern is a bit more complex, though it stays the same from stanza to stanza. One final thought. When discussing dreams a free form poem seems more appropriate. Why was a poem with tight and ordered rhymes and beats used? 

At Chevron, I was paid to dream. People would come to me for something and I got it done. This all makes me seem great, but I really wasn't. I had a skill and a high success rate. I was active at a time when computers were still new. My greatest success was my work with the San Francisco public schools. This may give an insight into how a man, dreams and life worked. I became a Mason in 1991. I was assigned to head my Lodge's public school committee in 1994. The Masons are big supporters of the public schools. They also have lots of money. All this amounted to pencil boxes and minor supplies for the schools, by the organization who once was the backbone of our schools. My first action was to contact the California Association of Nonprofits. They match up people with money to give with organizations who need money.  They found us Miss. Wong, a teacher at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. She was trying to sell a reading program, "Stepping Stones To Reading". She had the backing of the school's teachers. She only needed the money. It was much more than the Lodge had given before. Word got around to the other Lodges. All eyes were on a teacher. a Lodge and a new guy. After a year, "Stepping Stones To Reading" was so successful that it was adopted by all of city's middle schools and San Francisco took over the funding. When my Lodge made the newspapers, the Masons donations turned from pencil boxes to computers, equipment, repairs and volunteers. As successful as this was, there were yet bigger times and successes ahead. Did I foresee (dream) any of these things? Did I even want to be involved with the pubic schools before the assignment? Did I dream up "Stepping Stones To Reading"? So it was with all of my dreams. Yes, even Arlene. We recall, I didn't get really serious about her until the night of the magic tear. 

We all have dreams. Dreams we have in our sleep and dreams of things we want to be, Sometimes these are the same thing. I will be the first to admit I may not be the best to preach on this subject. My success rate was very high. I had extremely wealthy organisations financing my dreams. When it comes to realizing our dreams, believing, knowing we can is a major element. Many dreams die because we think can't. To this I say, "Can a rock float on water?" Imagination. The power to see, To see all the possibilities. Then we have our enemy, distraction. We are all set to move from point A to point B and here comes a very attractive C whistling at us. Or our pal D (doubt) who wants to discuss why we can't or shouldn't reach our goal. Can a rock float on water? Discover the power of dreams. Discover the power in all of us. And as we unlock the next door to all we can be, our dreams, Enjoy.


Take us away Adina: Adina "Where the Sand Meets the Sky"  

The power of positive thinking 


"Please know that I am aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be a challenge to others." Is a quote of Amelia Earhart. Here to inspire us further are Natalie Madsen, Mallory Everton and Whitney Call, of Studio C. 
A good reminder to stay focused. "You Can Do Anything"


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Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, 
life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. 
Langston Hughes


 

Saturday, 25 March 2017

Drifting Daisies to S is for Songs with Sia 
A celebration of spring with daises 
A celebration of S with Sia and Sesame Street 


Drifting Daisies (Poem)

Drifting daisies never dally
Lingering within love�s alley
Carefree couples there will sally
Holding hands as years of yore
-
Whispered wishes of tomorrow
Far away from fears and sorrow
Secrets from a daisy borrow
Holding hands that yearn for more
-
Daring dreams that do come true
Soulful stars that show the way
Dazzled by how daisies play
Drifting toward our rendezvous
-
Happy heart that hold a notion
Casting kisses cause commotion
On a daisy�s dancing motion
Holding hands as dreams explore
-
Mystic music springs of wonder
Longing lovers set a sunder
Bed which daisies soon fell under
Holding hands as passions sore
-
Daring dreams they do display
Draped in fragrant flowers� dew
Darling daises shade their view
Drifting through another day
-
Drifting daisies did surrender
To a time which turned so tender
Memories which would not end their
Holding hands and youth restore 


Celebrating the return of spring two daisies drift off once more in this poem. This playful poem permeates with Word Wizardry.Word Wizardry is the use of words in a playful way. In this poem the play is the use of word sounds: Like the "D" in "Drifting daisies never dally." 

In the Victorian era, 1837 - 1901, every flower was symbolic. Daisies represented purity and innocence. If a gentleman fancied someone and that interest was reciprocated with a bouquet of daisies. It meant that the gentleman thought the lady were wonderful. It would also imply the gentleman was interested in courting and pursuing a relationship. Arlene and I pursued our relationship after that first kiss, many, many years ago. As a celebration and remembrance of those early days, Arlene and I would occasionally reenact those early days. We would stroll, hand in hand, down some old, familiar streets and paths. I walked Arlene home from school decades after she graduated. We shared a single ice cream cone. We would. just for fun sneak a kiss in doorways (and other hiding places) like teenagers. We had a special tree by Stow Lake, where we used to go canoeing. Arlene and I would carried on whenever the mood struck us. The mood struck us heavily in spring and summer. 

We cannot go backward in time. We cannot relive a moment. In truth the past is seasoned with our feelings about the moment. There is nothing wrong with revisiting something or someplace we enjoyed. We wouldn't think twice about going back to a restaurant we liked. But walking a girl (a wife) home (to her parent's house) from school some 30 years latter... It's okay for teenage lovers to hold hands or any couple, regardless of age, to hold hands in a park, or in some out of the way place. But adults holding hands in the street, or even in a mall, may call some attention. It takes something more to drown these eyes, whispers out. To love someone so much that the world doesn't matter. To love someone so much that the rest of the world says aw. For that matter, do we like roller skating, swinging on a swing, riding on a carousel or any number of things we believe we've gotten too old for. When? How? We only live once. (Remember the golden rule - Do not do anything that hurts anybody or anything.) We cannot go backward in time. Is there anything wrong with celebrating a moment? While we toast to the wonders of our life, Enjoy.


How about a love song: Marc Anthony "My Baby You" 

In the A B C of life let's skip to S 


Sesame Street was conceived in 1966 during discussions between television producer Joan Ganz Cooney and Carnegie Foundation vice president Lloyd Morrisett. Their goal was to create a children's television show that would "master the addictive qualities of television and do something good with them", such as helping young children prepare for school. From time to time celebrities come on the show and join the cast.The latest big celebrity to visit Sesame Street was Sia. 
Let's join Sia as she celebrates the letter S. "Sesame Street: S is for Songs with Sia" 

If you enjoyed this video press this link to Sesame Street: Oscar ft. Macklemore

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In this world, it is too common for people 
to search for someone to lose themselves in. 
But I am already lost. I will look for someone 
to find myself in.
C. JoyBell C.


Thursday, 23 March 2017

Wind Is Blowing to "Real People" in CHEVY Malibu Ad 
The love of his life left him 
A Car dealer wishes this man would leave 


Wind Is Blowing (poem)

Wind is blowing
Window flowing
But what can I do
She is gone
-
Days keep glowing
Whys unknowing
For what asks empty shell
Exploring shadows
-
Moment sewing
Feelings growing
More confused than yesterday�s
More confused than yesterday�s
-
Dew drops showing
Ways of going
Vanishing in memories
Drifting in the clouds
-
Kiss me once again
When the rain falls
When the last candle is blown out
When nothing lasting remains
-
Still is growing
In wind blowing
The pain which rules my soul
The testament of a true love 


The wind hears the lament of is heartbroken soul roaming this poem. I hesitate to call this a free form poem because of the rhymes in lines one and two of each stanza, except the fifth. The fifth stanza goes off to a world of its own. When the poem style returns (the sixth stanza), there is an odd sense of reconciliation. 

This goes back a longtime ago, before Arlene and I moved in together, I had moved out of my mother's house and living with a teacher. I get a phone call from Arlene. She wanted to break up. And that was that. It was all over. Blankness was all can remember of that day after that phone call. When Mr. Ogletree, the teacher, came home he found me by a window. He did his best to bring me back. It was the end of the world. "It is the end of the world, so why not...", were Mr Ogletree's words. So why not what was the puzzle that brought me back. I was still devastated. At school (college), the teachers and my classmate were sympathetic to my situation. Arlene and I were  quite the thing. The girls were more than happy to comfort me, I now being free. I couldn't see their advances at the time. Arlene was the only girl. That was how my mind was. And in the back of it was the riddle, "Why not what?" 

Months passed. I still wasn't fully recovered. It was a Saturday. I was at work at the restaurant. David, the owner, said to me, "She is here." It was Arlene. David gave us a table and served us lunch. He also gave me the rest of the day off, so that I could be with Arlene. Just like that we were back together. I never asked her why she left me or why she came back. And what is that, "Why not." It was all those things that went on in my head that kept me going one more day.

Life can and may challenge us with "insurmountable" moments: the loss of a loved one, the loss of needed income, the loss of everything we own, a life altering or threatening disease and things of the like. We are not prepared for these things. Even counseling cannot fully prepare us for when disaster strikes. It strikes, What about us? To make matters more complicated, not only does everything change (at least in our mind). we are all individuals. Each event effects everyone differently. There are even cases were it takes time for the mind to accept a disaster. There is our greatest enemy and friend. The mind. Once we have it back and working with us, we can walk again. How do we get our mind back? I wish I could help by giving a solution. I do believe for every challenge life has a solution. It may not be a 100% fix (better or worse). After all, this is the same life that is aging us. Aging us with all the benefits and shortcomings. One of the benefits is the now that we exist in. One of the benefits is trusting in our tomorrow. Life is beautiful. Life is a wonder. The purpose of life is meant for us to Enjoy.


Back to the poem and: Michael Jackson "She's Out of My Life" 

A car commercial of a different kind 


The Chevrolet Motor Company was formed in 1911. The new company, started in a Flint garage as a cooperative venture between a Belgian-born race-car driver named Louis Chevrolet and William Durant, entrepreneur and the founder of General Motors. Meet Dave of the team of Ali Shahriari and Dave Irwin. of Zebra Corner. Dave is a comedian, writer and YouTuber. He is rarely asked to do Chevy commercials. 
This Chevy Malibu ad should explain why. "If 'Real People' Commercials Were Real Life - CHEVY Malibu Ad" 
(This is NOT a real commercial) 


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Ever has it been that loves knows not its own death 
until the hour of separation. 
Khalil Gibran


Tuesday, 21 March 2017

Wave Upon Wave to Nerf John Wick 
An escape in perspectives 
An escape from assassination 


Wave Upon Wave (free form poem) 

Wave upon wave within my sleep
I reach out my hands toward the skies
Hoping wishing dreaming for some escape
From this endless meaningless misery
-
I�m taken up to the heavens
To enjoy all the best life has to give
Good fortune and labor have smiled
Here I sit on a throne others have fashioned
Looking down at some poor ants
I shed a tear as I watch one amble aimlessly
-
Wave upon wave within his sleep
He stretches forth his hands through vales of why
Devotion unswerving he feels something more
Beyond the drudgery of just one more day
-
She picks him up holding him close
Her heart speaks what words cannot say
Her eyes tell of fantasies waiting somewhere
And high in his cloud blanketed with love
He looks down upon his reflection
In a pool of tears of those not as happy as him
-
Wave upon wave within its sleep


Fortune is found in perspectives through this free form poem. This poem starts at the end. It take a loose look at layers of existence. The last line of the poem should make us feel like there is more. Take the message anyway we please. There is always something better and something worse.

I am a Christian I do believe in an afterlife. What it actual is, I don't know. All that aside, I know there are people better than me. But I met Arlene and my life was paradise. I had a teacher, among all my teachers, who took me and dressed me special. I have seen and done things other people only dream about. I have been given opportunities to pay back and serve my fellow brothers and sisters. I have been able to inspire others. Arlene and I were a dream. The world is a better place because this little ant was here. Life had its ups and its downs, even for me. Now I am old and Arlene was taken from me. With a life as glorious as mine how could I be sad? Just in case, though, I was granted Amor, my new wife. Amor has the gift of making me happy, no matter what.  With Amor and the many treasure chests and people and things of a past, how could I be anything but happy? Is there a heaven? Yes... my life.

I have lived a pretty blessed life, which I feel prohibits me from suggesting to others how to live their lives. Living a great life does have paradoxes. There is so much I cannot do anymore, but I did so much and did it well. Arlene was taken way too soon, but we were magic and the memories we made... I can only imagine me now had I lived a lesser life. But even as I type this, I am taken to the lives of others that I served. People who do not own a home. People whose relationship(s) didn't work out. People with far less experiences. People who were homeless. A great many of these were satisfied. Then I thought, there are doctors, lawyers, plumbers. florists, writers and the endless jobs we do. Even beggars. Some do this really well. The point is that there are many levels, many different considerations. What is happiness? Happiness is an individual thing. There are no layers to it. One individual can be just as happy as another (if not more), regardless of their social status, or those things perceived to be important (or unimportant). Had my life been different, would the things important to me be different? Does it really matter? Still, I am happy. So should we all be. Find a moment. Find a purpose (or two). Find that individual called you and Enjoy.


Here to take us to another moment: Kenny G "The Moment" 


How does one remove danger from a gunfight 


The name Nerf, referring to the toy brand created by Parker Brothers and currently owned by Hasbro, actually comes from a strange source - drag racing. In the late �60s, foam-covered bars, sometimes called �nerf bars,� were put on the front of the trucks that pushed racers to the starting line. This prevented damage to the cars. In order that we might more fully enjoy the stunts and actions of a scene, Corridor has removed all the danger. They have done this by replacing all guns with Nerfs. 
Enjoy agent John Wick minus all the danger. "Nerf John Wick" 


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Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; 
everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that 
demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can 
his life be repeated, thus, everyone's task is unique as his 
specific opportunity to implement it. 
Viktor E. Frankl


 

Sunday, 19 March 2017

Something Is Wrong to Cheat Day 
Argument in his mind 
Argument of two delights 


Something Is Wrong (modern sonnet) 

About now is the time for me to walk
Forget the reason it left long ago
All doubt about whose fault is vaguely clear
Regret will be the prize won here today
-
She could have kept in mind the other times
Brush off her day once more and think of us
We would not fight if she learned how I try
Hush oft resounds her answer to this blight
-
Were I a man to better rule my tongue
Selecting words more wisely could be fun
Whereby a hug or kiss might be a start
Reflecting on the one that matters here
-
Where could I find another such as you
Withstood life�s ripples just to stay with me


A mind meets heart to reason ends this modern sonnet. There are no rhymes in this sonnet. Modern sonnets do not have to rhyme. Part of the fum composing a modern sonnet is: how far can the artist go and still have the creation be recognized as a sonnet. This one uses the iambic pentameter meter. The quatrains represent what was going on in the mind. The final couplet Is the resolution (whether in words or thought).

Even during our best days, something would cause a scattering to enter Arlene's or my mind. When we were dating, I don't remember us ever arguing. I guess we had better things to occupy or minds. Our first argument took place some time after we moved in together in our "Palace in the Sky". I don't recall exactly what was the cause of the flare up. I do remember the strangeness of it. We had never argued with each other before. We had no experience with it. The hurtful words just seemed to flow. Talking turned to shouting, until Arlene rushed off to the bedroom. She slammed the door behind her. When my mind regained its sanity, I noticed the bedroom door was opened a little. I heard Arlene crying. I rushed in to say I sorry. The rest is up to a lover's imagination. When we moved to that Richmond street apartment the arguments got worse. I don't know how we survived those days. Arlene and I move and the argument stayed in that miserable apartment. A new world of dreams opened up to us. With so much going on, scatterings would enter our minds. Arlene and I seeing where we were and the magic of it, learned to think before we spoke. We learned to express our feelings in a way that the other person heard. If an argument did break out, Arlene was very good at keeping the door open. 

This is just me talking. Positives attract positives and negatives attract negatives. "Life has its funny little ups and downs." Have we ever found ourselves a little more angry than a situation calls for? Maybe someone cuts us off in traffic. Perhaps someone gives us very poor service. Maybe we feel we are not being listened to. We get a sense that we are not being treated fairly. We explode (or want to). It happens to the best of us.  When we express our feelings, other unrelated (to the specific incidence) feeling(s) may have attached themselves. Making us more angry than the situation warrants. This is particularly common in relationships. Me... I became more positive. Chevron brainwashed me to their positive way of doing business. Arlene and I would talk to each other about things that bothered us, whether about each other or something that happened throughout our day. Listening and discussion are essential tools. I believe an active physical lifestyle, tennis, walks, bike rides, dancing. helped keep tempers down. I'm sure we all have more valuable tools. Crazy as it may sound, everything can be turned into a positive. Let us watch, learn and understand. ...a positive way to Enjoy.


Relationships and arguments: Carpenters "Hurting Each Other" 

Should we enjoy a carrot or a Cupcake 


Carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene, and contain high amount of fiber. Beta carotene is important for eyesight, skin health, and normal growth. They are a good source of fiber, vitamin C and potassium, as well as vitamin B6, folate, and several minerals including calcium and magnesium. There are approximately 178 calories in 1 (2-3/4") cupcake (no frosting). With a calorie breakdown of 26% fat, 71% carbs, 3% protein. Which do we think is better for us? Here is a guy who decides to cheat on his diet. 
Maybe this video will tell the errors of cheating. "CGI Animated Short Film HD: 'Cheat Day Short Film' by Diem Tran" 


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Better than any argument is to rise at dawn 
and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup. 
Wendell Berry


 

Friday, 17 March 2017

In This I Say To You to Coolin� Down With Sasquatch 
A special song for a lover 
A special song for Sasquatch 


In This I Say To You (lyrical poem) 

In this I say to you
A beat a word or two
Please listen very clear
And feel what you might hear
-
What makes my life a glow
What shines and makes it grow
The life you bring to me
A touch and you may see
-
And don�t you
Touch my hand awhile
And don�t you
Let me see you smile
And don�t you
Say you�ll share your hopes and life with me.
-
And don�t you
Share your troubled heart
And don�t you
Cry when we�re apart
And don�t you
Whisper just how happy we might be.
-
The day passes we were two
I always think of you
Your voice is what I hear
I pray my love is clear
-
I pray that you might see
How much you mean to me
Together we might grow
You make my daylight glow
-
And don�t you
Whisper in my ear
And don�t you
Make me warm when you are near
And don�t you
Share the moments that we are apart
-
And don�t you
Share this simple song
And don�t you
Share that we belong
And don�t you
Bare the same songs that are in my heart
-
Dream another moment
Take my hand awhile
-
Other lover�s glow
As to let us know
And don�t you
Show that we belong
I know you
You love this song 


A lover tries to avoid the distractions of his desire and is lost in the confusion of this lyrical poem. The form of lyrics is V/V/C/C, V/V/C/C. coda (where V=verse and C=chorus). What makes the song playful and confusing is that the lover asks his desire not to do things that set his mind in a whirl. Is asking her not to or is he encouraging her on? 

One of the many confusing periods in my life was being a new parent. I come from a time when it was a woman's place to take care of the baby. So when the baby (Peter) woke up in the middle of the night, it was only natural that Arlene get up and take care of him. There were two problems, though. His crying woke me up. I couldn't go back to sleep until Arlene was back in bed, by my side. It dawned on me, there no need for both Arlene and me to be awake. So it was that I took over the midnight duty. To make it all more worth my while, Arlene would cuddle close when I got back in bed. In the morning I got a big thank you. Being a typical man, I looked for more opportunities for these thank yous. When our daughter, Robin, came into our lives, everything I did for did for baby Peter came naturally. I didn't expect anything extra from Arlene, which made the thank yous better. 

When I look back at me, I see how easy it is that people fall into social behaviors. (Not all favorable.) One would think that one whose eyes were opened to the power of government brainwashing would see better. (My mother was brainwashed by Nazi Germany.) But "it" is all around us everyday. "It" being all the "norm" around us everyday. Truths like the men and women equality, racism. social classism, rights, freedoms and the list goes on and on. Many of these things we grew up with. Then people or things challenge the right or wrong of "it". Add to this all, the government, companies, organization and the like are trying to take control of us or sway us in their direction. The things being done to us, efforts to sway us, to control us are unbelievable. But there is a bright side to it all. We, we humans are basically good. In the long run, we will make the world a better place. I was not the only husband to make the midnight crossover. Look at the world, then and now. See the truth of it. Overall our world is a far better place to live. Sure, there are challenges ahead. But who better than we are suited to meet those challenges? Meet and beat. Look around and see the faces of those who care. Those who are working for the time we are all dreaming of. We are one of those faces. We are part of the prevailing good of humankind. Revel in the truth of it and Enjoy.


Back to that crazy poem: Alexander O'Neal "What Is This Thing Called Love?" 

What if we discover Sasquatch and we don't have a song for it ready 


Bigfoot (also known as Sasquatch) is the name given to a mythological simian, ape, or hominid-like creature that is said to inhabit forests, mainly in the Pacific Northwest. In an Oct.  2, 2013 article in the New York Daily News, A group of Bigfoot researchers say break-through DNA evidence and a video allegedly showing a female Sasquatch sleeping in the woods proves Bigfoot's existence. Jack Link's has been using what looks like a Sasquatch to sell their product for years. 
Jack Link's has just released a song in preparation. For what? "COOLIN� DOWN WITH SASQUATCH FEAT. TITUSS BURGESS" 


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You never can tell what two people in love will do 
or how things will turn out. What they say and 
what they do can be very different from what 
they feel. How they act often makes no logical sense. 
Marlene Banks 



Wednesday, 15 March 2017

Now The Rules Have Changed to Time Trouble 
Some rules don't change 
But what if we could go back and change things 


Now The Rules Have Changed (story/poem) 

A quick little ditty
�bout a lad named Smitty
That I hope you will find witty
For the rules have changed
-
He was gifted and so pretty
All things he put to pity
Anyone who was not privy
That the rules had changed
-
He soon went into business
All his gifts he put to witness
Brush aside those lax and witless
For the rules he changed
-
His power grew much higher
Gifted Smitty was on fire
But his wealth became his mire
And the rule soon changed
-
For one night in a bleak corner
Was for him a scene of horror
Once was colleague turned to moaner
Now the rules have changed
-
Well Smitty got to heaven
Where he found his hopes to get in
Were his gifts he shared with brethren
For the rules don�t change


The story of a man's life becomes am afterthought in this story/poem. This poem uses a last line, in each stanza, which is similar to the last lines of all the stanzas. One other thing some may have picked up on: As the poem gets closer to the end, strict rhymes give way to sound alike words. Meaning behind this? 

I am a Christian. Though I was baptized a Lutheran, my days as a choir singer put me in many denominations. Even in my bible studies, I have been exposed to many interpretations. Over all, my life has been pretty lucky. Though I am not well off financially, I have done and seen things most people only dream about. Things and opportunities were laid at my feet. If ever there was blessed, it was me. But there was something wrong. I believe that a person so blessed should give back. Chevron gave my first opportunity by asking me to serve the United Way in their fundraising endeavor at the Chevron's headquarters. This, coaching and serving on the PTA got me through my parenthood years.When I joined the Masons and I my children were on their own, my charity endeavors went crazy. My biggest successes were the San Francisco Public Schools and Toys For Tots. I also served in soup kitchens and campaigns to feed those in need along with my work with the Masonic Youth. My reputation, in the fraternity, grew to such a level that other came to my side in charity and volunteer endeavors. Yes, I am an egotist, but it is well deserved. And if there is a heaven, I'm sure I'll get in.

I'm not pushing my religious beliefs on anyone. Whether or not there is life after death we shall see (or maybe not). I do believe we should serve our fellow brethren and sisters. Whether financially. in material donations or in time, each person to their own level. Even the simplest smile or the smallest act of kindness can change a life. No one can do (or help) everything, nor should we. just our piece of it. But I am preaching to the choir. We all know this. I am certain we all are involved in serving our world and our fellow brethren and sisters. I know this because I have seen it. I have been blessed to be a part of it. A better world is coming. As we do our part to usher it in, Enjoy.


Need some inspiration: Elvis Presley "In The Ghetto" 

If we could go back in time 


Stephen Hawking once suggested that time travel must be impossible, because if it were possible, we should have had visitors from the future. Since we have never seen a tourist from the future, time travel must be impossible. However, others have suggested that this argument breaks down if tourists from the future are simply not interested in us, or that time travel might be possible but impractical because of the enormous amounts of energy required. Just for fun, what if time travel were possible. What would we go back to see? Here's what Thomas James "TomSka" Ridgewell would do. 
Here's what really might happen. "Time Trouble" 


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I feel that if you are blessed, or lucky enough, 
to be doing well, you should help others. 
Laurell K. Hamilton


 

Monday, 13 March 2017

One Morning We'll Wake Up to If Star Wars Took Place Today 
An odd tale of a dying freedom 
An odd tale of a politically correct Star Wars 


One Morning We�ll Wake Up (villanelle) 

Perhaps one morning we�ll wake up to see
As winds carry tale too odd to be true
There are no havens remaining to flee
-
As comfort becomes our mind�s destiny
And questioning ways world tends to subdue
Perhaps one morning we�ll wake up to see
-
Each day�s distractions sets all troubles free
Just trust us we�re sold no need to pursue
There are no havens remaining to flee
-
We build up our lives in shade of false tree
Believing in things that we never knew
Perhaps one morning we�ll wake up to see
-
Confusing how we let this come to be
Here lost in the lines they endlessly spew
There are no havens remaining to flee
-
Now each night we rest in slumber�s decree
Mistakes which we made in our tearful view
Perhaps one morning we�ll wake up to see
There are no havens remaining to flee 


The loss of liberties is the warning of this villanelle. A villanelle is comprised of five tercets (i.e., a three-line stanza) followed by one quatrain (a stanza with four lines). The first and third lines of the opening tercet are repeated in an alternating pattern as the final line of each next tercet; those two repeated lines then form the final two lines of the entire poem. The rhyme scheme looks like this: A1 b A2 / a b A1 / a b A2 / a b A1 / a b A2 / a b A1 A2. 

9/11, four coordinated terrorist attacks by the terrorist group al-Qaeda on the United States on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. A war of a different kind. A war which we lost. This is my opinion. I am not a believer in the conspiracy theories. I believe al-Qaeda launched this attack to hurt the United States in the long term, not just the death and destruction of that day. America is a capitalist nation. Since the attack, everything has gotten rapidly more expensive. Not good for a capitalistic society. We have/are giving up our liberties, the liberties that so many have died for, for the sake of safety. We are all being watched, listened to, to capture those who might do us harm. I apologies that this section doesn't contain the usual stories that we all like, but the poem is about our present state of affairs. Worse yet, we are told that the millennial generation is getting used to the present state of things. 

What can we do? Open our eyes to the situation. Respect all sides if any stance. Our opponent may (or may not) be right, but our idea(s) become better, building on all sides. Try to find avenues where everyone wins. (This may be impossible, but in the search the most are benefited.) Get involved. Let our voice be heard. We may be one person in an ocean, but there are others who believe as we do. Contact our leaders. There are many ways available to us to get in contact. Encourage others to get involved. So few people are involved that each voice represents hundreds. Avoid supporting those who we are working against. Keep in mind that this is a capitalistic society. The best way to get attention is through the pocket book. Know that we can make a difference. Know that a better world is just around the corner. Know that working together we can do so much more. And when we see things are better because of us, Enjoy.


From George Orwell's "1984": Dominic Muldowney "Oceania" 

Let's take today's world into the stars 


There are no female fighter pilots in the original trilogy of "Star Wars". Even though female fighter pilots were in the original screenplay, they were removed from final cut. This would never be stood for in the 21st century. What other minor changes would have to be made in the "Star Wars" saga? Ryan Higa, of nigahiga, has created a video of a more 21st century correct "Star Wars". 
Any similarity in this video and the actual movies was sheer luck. "If Star Wars Took Place Today!" 


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So long as we have enough people in this country 
willing to fight for their rights, we'll be called 
a democracy. 
Roger Nash Baldwin


 

Saturday, 11 March 2017

This Face to Hypnotizing Optical Illusion Rings 
The wonders in a face 
The wonder of an artist and his rings 


This Face (Shakespearean sonnet) 

Have we ever looked in someone�s face
To trace the start of every single line
To place the footsteps makeup won�t erase
This space that bears both history and time.
-
Sweet valleys mark the passing of the tears
While tiers of joy have crafted that warm smile
And here�s the gentle path of hopes and fears
To years this held enhanced in grace and style
-
Now to dive to swim in lustrous pools
What fools have drowned or lost their way therein
Those schools of life whose fire never cools
These tools that map out truth that lies within
_
I gaze into this mask of dreams for days
Amazed the ways we blazed life�s daily plays


The story written on one's face is traced in this Shakespearean sonnet. We break away from the love theme, which is the norm of a Shakespearean sonnet, to explore faces. This sonnet carries a meaningful message. In addition. we engage in a little word play. The second beat of the second, third and forth lines of each quatrain rhyme with the last word of the first line. In the rhyming couplet the word play comes to a big finale, as does the message. 

Staring into my face I realize, I didn't do so bad. Sure, I'm not well off financially, but I had the wealth of Chevron and the Masons to financed my imagination. People say, "Money can't buy everything." I don't know. I've seen what money can do. Time has been pretty gentle on my face. This is a bit unusual for me. While some people talk about how fast time goes by (how short life is),  for me time goes by really slow. While this was great when I was active, now that I'm becoming inactive, I can feel the weight of each minute. My eyebrows bear the weight of a less than favorable childhood and people and family who depended on me for this and that. I was in my thirties when my abusive stepfather stopped haunting my dreams. There was/is that warm smile. A smile of confidence of someone rich in self confidence. The same self confidence that turned me into an egotist, The same self confidence that guided me to serve. To serve in charity and volunteer work. I believe that anyone as lucky as me should give back to society. Give an egotist an award and he will work harder. Wrinkles... I was fortunate to have Arlene (now Amor) ease my problems and erase most of my wrinkles. Staring into my face I see, I didn't do so bad. 

There it is, staring back at us through the mirror. It has been with us all our life. On it is written our life story. Each wrinkle. Each line. We can cover it up with makeup or have it surgically altered, but there it is. "They" tell us we are not good looking enough. We don't have this. We don't have that, Too many wrinkles. We are too old looking. By whose standards? Many people are influenced, not by who they are, but by what they are told to believe by the media. Here is the truth of it. Have you ever fallen in love and everyone knows about it by the glow on your face? Have we ever been attracted to someone and others don't see what you do? I tell my my wife she is pretty and she get better looking. Have we ever noticed that the people who are constantly part of our life seem to be ageless? Here is the wonder of it. The marvel of it. On this face is traced a life. And we are told that we aren't good looking enough. Today, even professional models are altered to match a false reality. I am here to suggest that we are good enough. "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." There it is staring back at us in the mirror. That is good looking. That is our life. Let us admire the truth of it and Enjoy.


Take it away Emeli: Emeli Sande "Lifetime" 

There are wonders all around 


Ouka is a popular Tokyo, Japan juggler, illusionist and magician who has been seen throughout the world. Ouka�s specialty performance is his impressive ring arts. His talent won him the Japanese Diabolo National Championship. Kuma Films has created a video to dazzle us with his amazing skills. 
We can't help but get lost staring at Ouka's ring manipulation skills. "Hypnotizing Optical Illusion Rings | 8 Ring, Buugeng" 


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The human face is the organic seat of beauty. 
It is the register of value in development, a 
record of Experience, whose legitimate office is 
to perfect the life, a legible language to those 
who will study it, of the majestic mistress, 
the soul. 
Eliza Farnham

 

Thursday, 9 March 2017

A Simple Dance to Grade School Dance Battle 
A pair of lovers Dance through Time 
A schoolyard is the scene of a dance battle as boys take on the girls 


A Simple Dance (poem) 

In a field of fancy flowers
Fanciful in their display
They would waive away the hours
In a way they caused dismay
-
Daring duo timeless dancing
Dally here a moment more
Sultry sways induce romancing
Endues winds of passion soar
-
Each eye�s yearning everlasting
Yearn in rhythm to their heart
Molding movement to dream casting
Dreaming time won�t play its part
-
Take time's moment hold it tightly
Holding hoping never ends
Live life grand and fan it brightly
Fan your fields of flowery friends 


A couple's dance forms a poem. At first glance this looks like a simple poem. The meter is very tight (8 beats followed by 7). Starting in the second stanza, take notice of lines 1 and 3. The first two words begin with the same sounds. 

Funny dancing was so important to Arlene. It took many years for her to turn me into a dancer. For us dancing was more than moving our bodies on a dance floor, Dancing was living a life. Giving it meaning. Making memories. Arlene and I danced into a school's dying PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) and brought it back life. We danced into a youth sports program and changed their thinking about how boys and girls play together, Arlene and I danced into a Masonic Lodge and breathed fresh life into it. We danced down the Mississippi River and across America by train. We danced down the Revolution trail and throughout California. Not to mention that Arlene made a pretty good dancer out of me. At a time when disco was sweeping the country and the world, here was a young lady who was enjoying being the center of attention on the dance floor. Near the end we met other couples whose dances had brought about changes. This led us to believe, all that we did someone else would eventually do. But this was Arlene's and my time. And what a dance it was. 

There are many dances. There is so much to life. Some like to waltz. Some like to cha cha cha. Some just like to move their body. Some simply like to beat out the rhythm with their feet. Some enjoy taking risks. Some enjoy taking in the sights. Some enjoy serving where they can. While others find fulfillment in tending their garden. Endless is the world. Endless are the things in it. Opportunities. Opportunities for us. Opportunities for every minute facet of our being. There is so much available to us that it is impossible to take it all in. It is up to us to take in what we can. What we choose. This is our time. Our song. Our moment to dance and Enjoy.


Here with a song about one dance: Leonard Cohen "Dance Me to the End of Love" 

With that lesson under foot, Let's head over to the elementary school 


Dance "battling," is a form of dance where competitors face-off in a direct and aggressive competition, in a similar way to the earlier breakdance battles, with "dissing" (mocking), and heightened moments of frantic, aggressive arm and chest movements (known as "buck" moves). 
It is surprising how young competitors of a dance battle can be. Scott Winn, of ScottDW, has captured a moment at a local elementary school.
An elementary school that has professional dancers. "GRADE SCHOOL DANCE BATTLE! BOYS VS GIRLS! // ScottDW" 

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Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time 
like dew on the tip of a leaf. 
Rabindranath Tagore


Tuesday, 7 March 2017

A Different World to Thor: Pt. 2, Where Are They Now 
A world without his love 
A world living with Thor 


A Different World (Shakespearean sonnet) 

The rivers will flow up instead of down
The clouds will make a desert of the sky
The birds won�t sing they�ve lost the reason why
The flowers will all fall upon the ground
-
And children no more want to enjoy play
And poets have no need for one more verse
And no more lives for actors to rehearse
And there is nothing special for the day
-
This is the world without the sun or moon
This empty jar left drifting in some sea
This long lost soul that has no place to be
This place where hope in hearts were crassly hewn
-
I hope you see the value of my view
As crazy as the day I don�t love you 


A world gone crazy is the subject of this Shakespearean sonnet. No one said a love sonnet has to be normal. There are more oddities going on. Don't we find it strange that a sonnet about oddities is so uniform that all the first words of each quatrain is the same? The third quatrain takes its leave of the norm except in form. 

The last few years that Arlene and I were together were pretty unbelievable. We brought Hawaii to a bunch of widows. We had models swimming in a pool, behind a bar, for a group of old men. Now this one. Follow me on this one. I was a youth soccer coach for 13 years, My success was not in championship trophies. For some reason the kids on my teams did better at school. The parents credited me for this. I ran into a mom of one of the boys, from one of my early teams. She was very happy to see me and shared with me the successes of her son. 

Let's turn the page. It was Arlene's birthday. I took her to a dress shop to pick out a present. We bumped into two of Arlene's friends at the store. It became funny as more of our friends showed up at the dress shop. It turned out, the mom had become a dress shop owner. To show her appreciation, for what she believed I had done for her son, we came up with an idea. Arlene had a birthday party in a dress shop. Not only could the ladies party, they could try on cloths. Yes, I did have to pay for Arlene's clothes as did all the husbands.

It is a crazy world that we live in. Crazy in wonder. There is so much out there, it is impossible for us to take it all in. The flowers, the trees, the waters. the buildings, the tastes, the sounds, all of it. Add to the endless wonder of it all, add the element of change. To add another layer of craziness to it all, we are all individuals. No two individuals take in the same thing exactly the same way. Even we cannot take in the same thing exactly the same way. A rock sitting on the table. How much could change in less than a second? Our thoughts (just as a starter).  Let's not even throw in the endlessness of imagination. Add to this craziness, there is so much that we take for granted. We have to. Or else it gets difficult to get from A to B. The more we take in, the more difficult things get. It is a wonder how much we can take in. Some learned people believe that we can take in so much more. More beauty, more marvel, more awe, more wonder and more. But let's start here. Here in our time. In our part of this crazy world. Take it in, be a part of it and Enjoy.


Back to the sonnet: Timex Social Club "Mixed Up World" 

If that wasn't crazy enough 


Thor is the Norse God of Thunder. The son of Odin and Jord, the earth goddess. Thor was the strongest of the Aesir, the collective name for the the principal race of Norse gods; they who lived in Asgard, and with the All-Father Odin, ruled the lives of mortal men. What does Thor do when he is not saving the wold? To give us some insight is Team Thor. 
Take it away Team Thor. "Team Thor: Pt. 2, Where Are They Now?" 


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There is always some madness in love. 
But there is also always some reason in madness. 
Friedrich Nietzsche