Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Local Call

Some of you may have listened to Barack Obama tonight address Congress. He spelled out some MAJOR objectives for his term. I understand his frustration, impatience and desire to push forward, but sitting listening to him (which hasn't happened in 8 years) I realize that he will not achieve what he wants.

I am not a pessimist but I know how politics work and we cannot sit like we used to. So I am calling to everyone to focus LOCALLY and figure out how you can improve your own community. If everyone focuses LOCALLY, then as a collective, we WILL achieve his objectives. The Congress and the President cannot do this...we have to take on our own destiny. If not, we will receive the consequences.

Be realistic. Can you help local businesses by buying from them? I know we are all watching our monies, but I want certain local businesses and farms around when the recession ends so why not support them? Can you be more environmental? Can you reduce your emissions (i.e. driving less) or use less plastic to reduce our landfill usage? Can you volunteer an hour or two at a locally sponsored institution...for example, your school or local park?

I understand some of the Republican rebuttal on less government intervention; however, while less government spending happened on local programs during the last candidate, it spent a s**t load of money overseas in wars and jobs. We have borrowed money from other countries. I and some of my friends have stated that if our taxes paid for something I can see, i.e. local improvement, I don't mind improving my community and environment. I get annoyed when my taxes are spent on programs that while affecting me abstractly, do not reflect my interest in focusing on my community, my family, my friends and my students.

To provide an example, my SIL with her family sponsor, embraces and promotes less use of cars by BIKING in Manila, Philippines. If you have never been there, imagine driving on a two lane highway with 3-4 lanes of cars, who may or may not want you there. They have worked hard to encourage others to pick up a bike before wasting money on gas in a car and the fever has spread. To see more: http://www.fireflybrigade.org/ What can you do?

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Life Moves Forward

Life moves forward even when you want to stop to love, to mourn, to think. There are many mornings I want to stay covered by the blanket, hearing the gentle snore of my mate, but we always get up and live life.

I understand how mourning can consume one’s life, but at the same time, I hate dwelling on the negative. I have cried, dwelled, but then I can only think of how well these people spent their life, the gifts they provided to others and cherishing those gifts for the future. I think of them when I need their creative gift…what would they do?

Work consumes my week with all the nuances of lesson planning, meetings, copying, grading and giving my time to students, other teachers and parents. I am seeking to start a part-time photography business, but I cannot think of it until 11 am Saturday morning. What about after work, you say? I try...I read the books on the business, I plan what I am going to do to move forward, but weekend rolls in and I cannot concentrate on it. Friday night is awash in decompression, Saturday I can focus on myself but I tend to exercise, organize…sometimes, work on photography, then Sunday comes in with the thoughts of what I need to accomplish this week.

So can I achieve the creativity I want? My current outlets are in cooking and lesson presentation, yet I do want to make a stab at photography? Can I get the time to make it work?

Sunday, February 08, 2009

I didn't forget

Well, Thursday did not bear any time to listen to music...just sore feet and big piles of grading.

Friday, upon awakening and listing the tasks ahead, my panic mood screamed for Tom Waits. So when I assumed the position at 6:30 am in front of my work computer (students arrive at 7:45 am), I put on The Heart of Saturday Night, which guided my talking-out-loud analysis of a much needed purchase order for preserved specimens, i.e. fetal pigs, sheep brains and bullfrogs.

After working with students for five and half hours, with the "to-do" list still mulling in my head, I put on Mule Variations to get through two straight hours of grading (did not move my butt from my chair). By 4 o'clock with two text messages from friends wondering what I am doing Friday night and a voicemail message from my husband wondering if we wanted to spend dinner with friends, I had to pack up my brain, papers, books and bring them home for a working weekend.

So on this Sunday (Saturday did not offer music-listening time but some much needed sister-bonding time), I have the apartment to myself to get through the rest of the dreaded "to-do" list. On the playlist for this Sunday morning:

--Buena Vista Social Club
--Tapestry by Carole King
--O by Damien Rice
--Picture Perfect Morning by Edie Brickell
--Mosaique by Gipsy Kings

Will post more if the afternoon warrants more selections....

Well, I got more time to get more done! My list may be down to two things only (if I can make my grading pile vanish). So the afternoon issued in Erykah Badu and Dido.

Albums listened to date: 13

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Keeping the Female Vibe

Because I was worn out this morning, making me a little cranky to come into work, I felt Fiona Apple would be appropriate. Even as I finish spinning the tracks on Tidal, I still feel a bit bitchy but in a content way. Some people really don't like her...so curious, any disdain for Fiona Apple?

Winter is returning, so to stay on this cooler, mellow vibe, I will listen to the Once soundtrack, which I love an indie film and album. If you never heard of the film or the album click here.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Starting with Annie

So, if you don't know me that well, I love music as most people do; however, I am noticing how MUCH music I have but don't have time to listen to. So, I will attempt to listen to an album a day (i.e. 365 albums per year if I have that many...which I might), write a little blurb about it and maybe you can weigh in on your ideas. (7:00 am) Today's selection: Annie Lennox Bare. More to come on this selection...

(8:00 pm) Well, after listening to Bare while grading papers, I felt a need to listen to more Annie...so I listened to Medusa while cooking dinner and Diva while doing pilates. She has the best female vocals (no contest). On Bare I really like the song "Loneliness" and "Honesty". Medusa, while covers, reminds me of last year college because I listened to that album so much. While I love her cover of "Waiting in Vain", her cover of "Something So Right" fits my current marriage so perfectly. Diva is the perfect moving album, when you need a great rhythm and beat. "Little Bird" I could listen to several times. I still have some Eurythmics albums, but maybe that should wait for another day.

So three albums in one day. I will let you know the selection tomorrow!