So I was looking into this thing called the Radar Festival where you can enter a contest for producing a video to music provided by various artists. While digging in to that, I found about a group called Public Symphony. From what I can tell, they're brand new with only one album. I like their style and vocalizations. You can listen to their entire album and see some of their videos for free on their website. Check 'em out. :)
Peace,
Jenna
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Dogs vs. Cats
Okay,
So, I was just outside having a smoke with some co-workers (all men) and they were discussing the benefits of dogs. After listening to them tout how wonderful dogs are I piped up with "Yeah, but dogs are high maintenance." This came as a huge surprise that I would say this and they began to explain why a dog isn't such. But each of their reasons fell through when confronted with my infallible retorts.
I said that dogs were high maintenance because they were always in your business and could not entertain themselves. You have to entertain them. They replied that that's not true because dogs like to just lie there while you're there and be happy doing that. Okay... but how is that taking care of itself?
Think about it. You have to train a dog. They have to be taught to go to the door, scratch at the door, etc. when they need to go out and take a shit, otherwise they'll just crap all over the place. Cats don't require training and, in fact, they tend to ignore any training anyway. With a cat, you just show it the litter box and it says, "Oh okay, cool."
In order for a dog to be active, you have to pay attention to it. Otherwise it will sit there doing nothing but shedding, sneezing, farting, etc. It won't be sleeping, it will just be ... uhm... bored. You have to get it to do something. Cats, on the other hand, are much more independent and can entertain themselves. When they're not moving, they're asleep (or dead). Otherwise, they have places to be, bugs to catch, flowers to eat, furniture to scratch, etc. Now, if you can't let a cat be a cat and have to control what it does, then to you I can see where a cat would be considered "high maintenance." But that's really because you yourself are high maintenance too and require everything to be a particular way all the time. OCD anyone?
Yeah, this is one of those debates that will continue throughout eternity due to a little thing called "preference"... but personally I don't think the cats or dogs really give a shit what we think about them provided we don't piss in their rice bowls.
For those of you not into cats OR dogs... you're the smart ones. Snakes, ferrets, birds, hamsters, fish, etc. are all great pets in my opinion. Cat and Dog people find those pet choices interesting, ask questions and actually begin to learn something rather than fight over what's better... a cat or a dog. I am curious why there wasn't a Schrödinger's Dog though... or why Pavlov didn't try his act with Cats. Male dominated world, perhaps? Put the cat in the box with the radioactive substance and teach the dog to do what man wants it to do when it rings the bell. Oooh... then again, maybe those are machinations of the female mind... the destruction of independent thinkers and the subjugation and training of dumb animals.
Yes, I've managed to piss them all off now and therefore my work here is done. Have a nice debate. Toodles!
Peace (Or Not),
Jenna
So, I was just outside having a smoke with some co-workers (all men) and they were discussing the benefits of dogs. After listening to them tout how wonderful dogs are I piped up with "Yeah, but dogs are high maintenance." This came as a huge surprise that I would say this and they began to explain why a dog isn't such. But each of their reasons fell through when confronted with my infallible retorts.
I said that dogs were high maintenance because they were always in your business and could not entertain themselves. You have to entertain them. They replied that that's not true because dogs like to just lie there while you're there and be happy doing that. Okay... but how is that taking care of itself?
Think about it. You have to train a dog. They have to be taught to go to the door, scratch at the door, etc. when they need to go out and take a shit, otherwise they'll just crap all over the place. Cats don't require training and, in fact, they tend to ignore any training anyway. With a cat, you just show it the litter box and it says, "Oh okay, cool."
In order for a dog to be active, you have to pay attention to it. Otherwise it will sit there doing nothing but shedding, sneezing, farting, etc. It won't be sleeping, it will just be ... uhm... bored. You have to get it to do something. Cats, on the other hand, are much more independent and can entertain themselves. When they're not moving, they're asleep (or dead). Otherwise, they have places to be, bugs to catch, flowers to eat, furniture to scratch, etc. Now, if you can't let a cat be a cat and have to control what it does, then to you I can see where a cat would be considered "high maintenance." But that's really because you yourself are high maintenance too and require everything to be a particular way all the time. OCD anyone?
Yeah, this is one of those debates that will continue throughout eternity due to a little thing called "preference"... but personally I don't think the cats or dogs really give a shit what we think about them provided we don't piss in their rice bowls.
For those of you not into cats OR dogs... you're the smart ones. Snakes, ferrets, birds, hamsters, fish, etc. are all great pets in my opinion. Cat and Dog people find those pet choices interesting, ask questions and actually begin to learn something rather than fight over what's better... a cat or a dog. I am curious why there wasn't a Schrödinger's Dog though... or why Pavlov didn't try his act with Cats. Male dominated world, perhaps? Put the cat in the box with the radioactive substance and teach the dog to do what man wants it to do when it rings the bell. Oooh... then again, maybe those are machinations of the female mind... the destruction of independent thinkers and the subjugation and training of dumb animals.
Yes, I've managed to piss them all off now and therefore my work here is done. Have a nice debate. Toodles!
Peace (Or Not),
Jenna
Myths, Legends, Faith and Other Stuff
So, okay... apparently I'm just a fool in a fog. I'm beginning to accept that, be happy about it and not give a shit about whether what I believe is true or not. Why? Results.
When I compare the results of my life's works based on where I've stored my beliefs at each various point in my life, I see major differences. Yes, it's true that when I have held the belief that the world was in God's hands and that the final victory over evil, sin, corruption is promised and that we need not worry about that, I have always managed to lead a happy, fruitful and productive life. When I have questioned those beliefs, my life has been in disarray, confused and filled with feelings of hopelessness.
So, does this mean that I can't function without a belief structure of some kind? Can I not believe in myself? It seems that when I let God handle the shit I can't handle and I handle the things he/she/it gives to me to handle, things seem to work out better. My mother, who reads my journal every day, is probably grinning from ear-to-ear right now and making exclamations similar to "Well it's about time!" or "It took her this long?" or "I tried to tell her that." right now.
Some would label it as a fruitless search for something one already had. Whee! Where's my tail, where's my tail?! Yeah well, it's only fruitless if we don't learn anything. We only go on the journey when something doesn't add up.
I'll try to explain. Let's assume there's a culture that believes that chairs made from wood and metal are good but chairs with no structure, like bean bags are bad. Those bean bags may be comfortable, but they make you lazy. Yet this same culture says beds are good ... even though they're comfortable and make you lazy.
Now, Little One grows up in this culture and learns what his culture tells him. He accepts what he's learned based on his admiration for those that have taught him and how their lives are filled with joy, prosperity and peace. He grows up with these structures in place. He then goes out into the world where there are other cultures that believe differently.
To some, who have no opinion, he is able to share and explain how he feels and they accept it and follow what he teaches. Then one day, he meets a new culture that sits around on bean bags but aren't lazy at all. They sleep wherever they want, including the floor, and are quite comfortable to do so. But he recognizes the same joy in their lives as what he has in his own life. How can this be? They don't follow the rules!!
And so, a crisis of faith begins. He begins to question the rules and begins to "try out" this new way of thinking. He discovers that sitting in bean bags is fun and lying on the floor can be very comfortable. Suddenly the idea of sitting on a hard chair makes no sense to him. And why bother with a bed when the floor is right there? But now he is at odds with his teachings. They will not go away, after all, they are part of who he is. Soon, he begins to notice that sometimes he is lazy in the bean bag and sometimes he is not. Oof. This is really making no sense for Little One now. Everything seems to be topsy-turvy and confusing. Is there nothing that is sacred anymore? Are both cultures wrong? What is Little One to believe in now?
This is the moment where Little One either begins to realize the commonalities in the stories told by both cultures, or gives up on ever reconciling the two. It has nothing to do with chairs or beds. It's "this is how we do it and it works pretty good for us." Neither culture cared to confuse Little One. They simply tried to share their ways with him that he might understand them.
Now, when one culture can view another culture and see the commonalities in their beliefs without judging each other as "wrong" for their beliefs, that will be the day when true unity can be achieved. But until then, the culture wars will continue to thrive until enough of the shell has been thrown away and we can all see the same thing in each other. I pray fervently for that day. Until then, I'll do what works for me and those I care about. See every part of me... not just the part that you like or don't like. See the whole, and you'll see me. With the next song, feel free to replace the word God and any gender references with whatever it is you believe in.
Peace,
Me
When I compare the results of my life's works based on where I've stored my beliefs at each various point in my life, I see major differences. Yes, it's true that when I have held the belief that the world was in God's hands and that the final victory over evil, sin, corruption is promised and that we need not worry about that, I have always managed to lead a happy, fruitful and productive life. When I have questioned those beliefs, my life has been in disarray, confused and filled with feelings of hopelessness.
So, does this mean that I can't function without a belief structure of some kind? Can I not believe in myself? It seems that when I let God handle the shit I can't handle and I handle the things he/she/it gives to me to handle, things seem to work out better. My mother, who reads my journal every day, is probably grinning from ear-to-ear right now and making exclamations similar to "Well it's about time!" or "It took her this long?" or "I tried to tell her that." right now.
Some would label it as a fruitless search for something one already had. Whee! Where's my tail, where's my tail?! Yeah well, it's only fruitless if we don't learn anything. We only go on the journey when something doesn't add up.
I'll try to explain. Let's assume there's a culture that believes that chairs made from wood and metal are good but chairs with no structure, like bean bags are bad. Those bean bags may be comfortable, but they make you lazy. Yet this same culture says beds are good ... even though they're comfortable and make you lazy.
Now, Little One grows up in this culture and learns what his culture tells him. He accepts what he's learned based on his admiration for those that have taught him and how their lives are filled with joy, prosperity and peace. He grows up with these structures in place. He then goes out into the world where there are other cultures that believe differently.
To some, who have no opinion, he is able to share and explain how he feels and they accept it and follow what he teaches. Then one day, he meets a new culture that sits around on bean bags but aren't lazy at all. They sleep wherever they want, including the floor, and are quite comfortable to do so. But he recognizes the same joy in their lives as what he has in his own life. How can this be? They don't follow the rules!!
And so, a crisis of faith begins. He begins to question the rules and begins to "try out" this new way of thinking. He discovers that sitting in bean bags is fun and lying on the floor can be very comfortable. Suddenly the idea of sitting on a hard chair makes no sense to him. And why bother with a bed when the floor is right there? But now he is at odds with his teachings. They will not go away, after all, they are part of who he is. Soon, he begins to notice that sometimes he is lazy in the bean bag and sometimes he is not. Oof. This is really making no sense for Little One now. Everything seems to be topsy-turvy and confusing. Is there nothing that is sacred anymore? Are both cultures wrong? What is Little One to believe in now?
This is the moment where Little One either begins to realize the commonalities in the stories told by both cultures, or gives up on ever reconciling the two. It has nothing to do with chairs or beds. It's "this is how we do it and it works pretty good for us." Neither culture cared to confuse Little One. They simply tried to share their ways with him that he might understand them.
Now, when one culture can view another culture and see the commonalities in their beliefs without judging each other as "wrong" for their beliefs, that will be the day when true unity can be achieved. But until then, the culture wars will continue to thrive until enough of the shell has been thrown away and we can all see the same thing in each other. I pray fervently for that day. Until then, I'll do what works for me and those I care about. See every part of me... not just the part that you like or don't like. See the whole, and you'll see me. With the next song, feel free to replace the word God and any gender references with whatever it is you believe in.
The Destination Is There - Carman
Verse 1:
You've felt in your spirit
God's shown you something new
Something no-one else has thought of
But only you can do
But just as your desire grew
You got a little depressed
'Cause you found no destination
For your dreams to manifest
Chorus:
Your desire is the confirmation the destination is there
God wouldn't put it in your spirit if it wasn't going nowhere
(okay, bad grammar but I know what he's saying)
So set your sights on the promises and don't you be scared
For your desire is the confirmation the destination is there
Verse 2:
His vision's for a certain hour
I know it won't be late
His promises will strengthen you
If only you will wait
Don't follow someone else's dreams
Keep your own in sight
For the vision that God gives you
Will keep you all your life
You've felt in your spirit
God's shown you something new
Something no-one else has thought of
But only you can do
But just as your desire grew
You got a little depressed
'Cause you found no destination
For your dreams to manifest
Chorus:
Your desire is the confirmation the destination is there
God wouldn't put it in your spirit if it wasn't going nowhere
(okay, bad grammar but I know what he's saying)
So set your sights on the promises and don't you be scared
For your desire is the confirmation the destination is there
Verse 2:
His vision's for a certain hour
I know it won't be late
His promises will strengthen you
If only you will wait
Don't follow someone else's dreams
Keep your own in sight
For the vision that God gives you
Will keep you all your life
Peace,
Me
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Spreadin' Velveeta
Well, I must be feeling better now... I've gone straight to full blown CHEESE in my music choice for this afternoon. Yes... Captain & Tennille. Daryl Dragon and Toni Tennille singing such hits as "Love Will Keep Us Together," "Shop Around," and "Muskrat Love." Although I think I might be getting a little musically lactose intolerant because I can't take as much as I used to.
No worries though, at least I'm not drowning in the sea of "What does it all mean, anyway?" anymore. Gonna try to stay away from that particular body of water for as long as possible. The currents are strong and can pull ya right out into the middle of the whirlpool quickly if you're not careful.
Wow... now I'm listening to Afternoon Delight by Starland Vocal Band... what's on my mind? I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count. :-P Yeah, and then follow that up with "Boogie Oogie Oogie" by A Taste of Honey. Damn... it's only August... I'm thinking a 70's or 80's themed party for Halloween is in order, now. Or maybe for my birthday... that's only a month away, after all. Hmmm. Gawd... an 80s night... heh... pure FUN! Yeah, I'm beginning to turn into a Cheeto now... hmmm... reminds me of the "Human Cheeto Project" that Rob Garvey and I were working on years ago. Unfortunately, it never got off the ground. Might be time to revisit that idea.
Ramblings aside, I'm feelin' good. That's never a good sign for the future. LOL.
Peace,
Jenna
No worries though, at least I'm not drowning in the sea of "What does it all mean, anyway?" anymore. Gonna try to stay away from that particular body of water for as long as possible. The currents are strong and can pull ya right out into the middle of the whirlpool quickly if you're not careful.
Wow... now I'm listening to Afternoon Delight by Starland Vocal Band... what's on my mind? I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count. :-P Yeah, and then follow that up with "Boogie Oogie Oogie" by A Taste of Honey. Damn... it's only August... I'm thinking a 70's or 80's themed party for Halloween is in order, now. Or maybe for my birthday... that's only a month away, after all. Hmmm. Gawd... an 80s night... heh... pure FUN! Yeah, I'm beginning to turn into a Cheeto now... hmmm... reminds me of the "Human Cheeto Project" that Rob Garvey and I were working on years ago. Unfortunately, it never got off the ground. Might be time to revisit that idea.
Ramblings aside, I'm feelin' good. That's never a good sign for the future. LOL.
Peace,
Jenna
Love Takes Time
Love Takes Time by Bryan DuncanBryan Duncan - Love Takes Time
Oh, have you ever been lied to?
Maybe mistreated
Taken for granted
'Til you just can't stand it?
Were you ever mistaken?
Thought to be someone
That you just can't be?
So, where's the love you need?
(Love takes time
Please be kind
See every part of me)
Cause I wanna be loved!
(Love ain't blind
Ties that bind
Take on eternity)
Oh, would you like to be trusted
Well, for once in your life?
Carry that fire
Without burnin' each other
Are you easily angry
Oh, can you bury your pride
Could you ever forgive me
And not keep it inside??
(Love takes time
Please be kind
See every part of me)
Cause I wanna be loved!
(Love ain't blind
Ties that bind
Take on eternity)
Cause I wanna be loved!
(Love takes time
Please be kind
See every part of me)
Oh, yeah!
(Love ain't blind
Ties that bind
Take on eternity)
Hey! make a sacrifice sometimes
Maybe more than you planned
Don't you hate to go through
The pain it takes to make a stand
A hardened heart or a heartache
To admit that you're wrong
And though it's hard
It hardly matters if that love is gone
Make a sacrifice sometimes!
(Love takes time
Please be kind
See every part of me)
Cause I wanna be loved!
(Love ain't blind
Ties that bind
Take on eternity, on eternity)
(Love takes time
Please be kind
See every part of me, every part of me)
(Love ain't blind
Ties that bind
Take on eternity, on eternity
Love takes time
Please be kind)
Please be kind!
(See every part of me)
Maybe mistreated
Taken for granted
'Til you just can't stand it?
Were you ever mistaken?
Thought to be someone
That you just can't be?
So, where's the love you need?
(Love takes time
Please be kind
See every part of me)
Cause I wanna be loved!
(Love ain't blind
Ties that bind
Take on eternity)
Oh, would you like to be trusted
Well, for once in your life?
Carry that fire
Without burnin' each other
Are you easily angry
Oh, can you bury your pride
Could you ever forgive me
And not keep it inside??
(Love takes time
Please be kind
See every part of me)
Cause I wanna be loved!
(Love ain't blind
Ties that bind
Take on eternity)
Cause I wanna be loved!
(Love takes time
Please be kind
See every part of me)
Oh, yeah!
(Love ain't blind
Ties that bind
Take on eternity)
Hey! make a sacrifice sometimes
Maybe more than you planned
Don't you hate to go through
The pain it takes to make a stand
A hardened heart or a heartache
To admit that you're wrong
And though it's hard
It hardly matters if that love is gone
Make a sacrifice sometimes!
(Love takes time
Please be kind
See every part of me)
Cause I wanna be loved!
(Love ain't blind
Ties that bind
Take on eternity, on eternity)
(Love takes time
Please be kind
See every part of me, every part of me)
(Love ain't blind
Ties that bind
Take on eternity, on eternity
Love takes time
Please be kind)
Please be kind!
(See every part of me)
Monday, August 27, 2007
Meltdown (at Madame Tussaud's)
Meltdown (at Madame Tussaud's) by Steve Taylor
Meltdown at Madame Tussaud's--the queen is losing face
meltdown at Madame Tussaud's--a national disgrace
it's the middle of the night at the London shrine
could have been the janitor, could have been divine
someone said the thermostat never did work
now we've got the temperature going berserk
Meltdown at Madame Tussaud's--the queen is losing face
meltdown at Madame Tussaud's--a national disgrace
celebrities, statesmen, history's elite
they're dripping in the hallways, they're starting to secrete
they're pouring out the pores, they're shrinking on the spot
someone take a photograph--get 'em while they're hot
Meltdown at Madame Tussaud's--the president looks alarmed
meltdown at Madame Tussaud's--a general's been disarmed
feverish at Fleet Street--story of the year
"Get the Facts--House of Wax Photo Souvenir"
"Shameful" Says the Times. "Maybe Done By Vandals"
panic on Wall Street--put your stock in candles
I thought I heard a ghost say
"had my hands in my pockets on the Judgment Day
nobody told me there's fire in the hole
had the world by the tail but I lost my soul"
Meltdown at Madame Tussaud's--a rock & roll hotel
meltdown at Madame Tussaud's--they're blending very well
Elvis and the Beatles have seen a better day
better off to burn out than to melt away
Dylan may be fillin' the puddle they designed
is it gonna take a miracle to make up his mind?
Meltdown at Madame Tussaud's--athletes on the floor
meltdown at Madame Tussaud's--they're running out the door
bad boy McEnroe couldn't keep his cool
now he's with the rest of 'em, wading in the pool
"Howard Hughes--Billionaire" says the written guide
pity that his assets have all been liquefied
"Celebrity status only got in the way
had my hands in my pockets on the Judgment Day
you can't take it with you--there's fire in the hole
had the world by the tail but I lost my soul"
Meltdown at Madame Tussaud's--the queen is losing face
meltdown at Madame Tussaud's--a national disgrace
down in the dungeon--the Chamber of Horrors
look at all the criminals soften to the cores
they're mixing with the head of state floating down the lane
good, bad, there they go down the same drain.
-- the Madame
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Interpret This
I stole this from a lyrics site. I was listening to DJ Tiësto, In My Memory, this morning on the way in to work and this song came on. It's a very pretty song with a lot of heartfelt longing, emotion, feeling, etc. There are a couple of ways to interpret this song.
1. Sad, Whiny, Emo. It's about someone who can't be enough for themselves. The storyteller tells about how none of the time she's spent in her life has been well spent and all the moments in her life are just adding up to a pile of pictures with no one to share the memories with. It's truly sad in that respect but also extremely infuriating that she can't see what's right in front of her. She's standing close to someone who isn't moving away. This person isn't asking for anything other than to share the moments together and yet she still can't be happy because she doesn't feel alive. What's it going to take? What does it take to "feel alive?"
2. Thankful, Happy, Peaceful. The storyteller describes what her life's been like and how getting wrapped up in emotions feels great and all but eventually it fades and the rollercoaster comes crashing down again. Looking back, she wonders if that time was really "well spent" or not. Now, she's just thankful to be standing close to someone that isn't moving away but isn't moving closer either. The fact that she doesn't feel that alive anymore isn't a complaint... it's a sigh of relief. She's saying she likes the idea that love isn't the answer... SHE is the answer.
Interpretation and Perception is, once again, the key and it is usually driven based on how we're feeling at the moment. Oh yes. So in the same way that drugs and alcohol amplify our moods, so does music... it's a wonderdrug. Being able to step back and look at the many different ways something can be interpreted allows us to find the interpretation that works best for us based on what our ultimate goals are. If you want to wallow in a sea of self-pity and get nothing accomplished in your life, pick the first interpretation. If you want to be happy, feel at peace and complete so that you can move on... pick the second one. Got another interpretation? Add it here. I'd like to hear it.
Peace,
Jenna
1. Sad, Whiny, Emo. It's about someone who can't be enough for themselves. The storyteller tells about how none of the time she's spent in her life has been well spent and all the moments in her life are just adding up to a pile of pictures with no one to share the memories with. It's truly sad in that respect but also extremely infuriating that she can't see what's right in front of her. She's standing close to someone who isn't moving away. This person isn't asking for anything other than to share the moments together and yet she still can't be happy because she doesn't feel alive. What's it going to take? What does it take to "feel alive?"
2. Thankful, Happy, Peaceful. The storyteller describes what her life's been like and how getting wrapped up in emotions feels great and all but eventually it fades and the rollercoaster comes crashing down again. Looking back, she wonders if that time was really "well spent" or not. Now, she's just thankful to be standing close to someone that isn't moving away but isn't moving closer either. The fact that she doesn't feel that alive anymore isn't a complaint... it's a sigh of relief. She's saying she likes the idea that love isn't the answer... SHE is the answer.
Interpretation and Perception is, once again, the key and it is usually driven based on how we're feeling at the moment. Oh yes. So in the same way that drugs and alcohol amplify our moods, so does music... it's a wonderdrug. Being able to step back and look at the many different ways something can be interpreted allows us to find the interpretation that works best for us based on what our ultimate goals are. If you want to wallow in a sea of self-pity and get nothing accomplished in your life, pick the first interpretation. If you want to be happy, feel at peace and complete so that you can move on... pick the second one. Got another interpretation? Add it here. I'd like to hear it.
Peace,
Jenna
DJ Tiësto - Close To You | ||
I wouldn't call it time well spent Repeating to myself again Find comfort in an endless stream of moments I don't even care, about the way I feel today Because it changes anyway Something will make me cry or smile Another picture on my pile Now I'm standing close to you It's just something that I do When I need love to be enough I wish love could be enough 'cause there is nothing more appealing Than the thought that I could be enough Do you find solace in the sun? Do you consider life as one? Do you believe there is a limit To how fast a man can run? Someone said you're born alive Well I don't feel that alive No I don't feel that alive I don't feel that alive Now I'm standing close to you It's just something that I do When I need love to be enough I wish love could be enough 'cause there is nothing more appealing Than the thought that I could be enough...enough | ||
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