2 more because Hair is supremely worthy <3

Two more of my all-time favourite scenes from the movie-musical-phenomenon "Hair".
By the time I'm done with this you guys won't even need to watch the movie because it'll all be here!

Clip #1:
Hudd's (Lafayette's) estranged ex-fiancee and son come to NYC in search of him and discover he's not who he used to be.
I used to watch this song over and over again, belting it out at the top of my lungs with goosebumps the entire time. This woman has such a unique and phenomenal voice; I hope you find it equally as amazing:



Clip #2:
Complete fun and catchiness-
Claude been enlisted for Vietnam and he's just about to step foot in the examining quarters... instead, we get a crazy song!:



:)

Let the Sunshine-

Don't ask why, but I woke up this morning with this particular scene from my all-time favourite movie "Hair" playing in my head.
It would be criminal not to share it with you; I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and if you ever want to see the entire film, let me know cause it's amazingly stellar and I'd love to join :)



As the song goes: Let the Sunshine...

We all need one-

I've been obsessed with this song for the past couple of weeks because I feel it speaks the truth. It's especially refreshing to hear such wise words coming from a hip-hop star as it's not always the case these days.

Sane vs. Eccentric vs. Insane

I question my sanity... on a pretty regular basis.
Is that a bad thing?
Who dictates what's sane and what isn't?
Where exactly is that fine line that separates eccentricity and insanity?
When do one's actions stop being silly and odd and become full out problematic?

Now don't get me wrong- I'm not a full blown quack and eccentricity does run quite strongly in my family (stemming from my Grandfather in particular who is literally a linguistic genius); however, I can't help but stop and think when someone proclaims how crazy I am if perhaps.. they're right? Wikipedia portrays eccentricity in a positive light stating that:

"Eccentricity is often associated with genius, giftedness, or creativity. The individual's eccentric behavior is perceived to be the outward expression of his or her unique intelligence or creative impulse. In this vein, the eccentric's habits are incomprehensible not because they are illogical or the result of madness, but because they stem from a mind so original that it cannot be conformed to societal norms."

This perspective would explain why my Grandpa and Mom are the way they often are and have yet to be institutionalized (*KNOCK ON WOOD* It's a joke!), and it even makes me feel a bit better about my own "out-there" ways and thoughts about life.

Interestingly, Wikipedia also states that being the eldest child can often lead to eccentric behaviour as a way for the child to try and stand out... Both myself and my Grandfather are the oldest... There's very few people that I actually let see the real me, reason being that I'm afraid they'll think I'm crazy... why am I afraid of this? If I was crazy then shouldn't it be them that are afraid of me and not the other way around?

Who knows... I could talk in circles about things like this; but the point is:

What IS sanity? Does sanity mean conforming to those around us so as not to stick out and "be different"? And really... who dictates when you've crossed that gray line from eccentricity into full blown insanity? I guess I should be grateful that I'm potentially eccentric due to the fact that Wikipedia associates it with giftedness of sorts...

Anywho, those are my thoughts. Had to get it out cause I've been called crazy quite alot this week and it's really got me dwelling about what it means to be crazy in the first place...

Rejuvenated

Sun
Warmth
Joy
Life
Blue Skies
Freedom
Spring

8:10...

8:10 already? Where did today go? I didn't sleep it away, no; I was up at the crack of dawn.
I often force myself to do that simply so I will have more of the day to experience and be active for. I've found myself cutting back more and more on sleep solely because I don't have enough time to do everything I have to do and want to do during the "regular" hours of the day.
24 hours... is it really enough? Why isn't it? Is it because our society has become so fast-paced, so detached from the World around us that the daylight Mother Nature provides is no longer sufficient?
Many nights before bed I'll sit and reflect on yet another day that has come and gone and how it's possible to power through what's perceived as so many hours, yet still feel like nothing has been accomplished. It's times like these that I wish I lived on a isolated Island in the Sun, where the day is what I choose to make it and not what the day chooses to make of me.
What's going to happen when I have a family and children one day? I can't even fathom how it'll be possible to monitor extra bodies other than my own- More time...
Time...
It's ironic because often I'll find myself thinking or saying things like "I can't wait till tonight" or "I can't wait till this weekend" or "I can't wait till the summer!". Is it this mentality, this constant longing for what has yet to come, that makes time seem to pass by even quicker? This is my life. My Life. Why am I often longing for something yet to come when I should really be basking in what presently is?
Hmmmm... I feel I've gone too deep into thought about this- 9 minutes to be exact...

Still gets me

After watching a clip of Sister Act posted on a friends Blog, it rekindled fond memories of watching that movie over and over again when I was much younger. Both Sister Acts were actually two of my favourite movies as a child, and I could never get enough of the fantastic singing.

There's one particular part in Sister Act II that gives me goosebumps like no other. I'd like to share it with you and hopefully pass along some feel good vibes to you, just as my friends blog did to me.

This is a clip of Ryan Toby (who plays Ahal James) that I find absolutely beautiful. This guy is SO talented from such a young age and later on became one of the singers in the group City High. 2:31 is my favorite part :)
Thanks Dave for showcasing Sister Act and bringing back happy memories from days past :)

Remember to Breathe-

If Yoga has taught me one thing other than how to bend in ways I didn't know possible, it's the importance of breathing. The way in which you breathe and are able to control that breath can ultimately prove beneficial or detrimental for how you live your day to day life and how you manage stress.

Breathe Deep; Right down to your belly button- Become aware of your breath and feel the oxygen revitalize and flow through your body. Feel your mind clearing and your body awakening.

Breathing is the simplest and most natural form of relaxation. When done properly and with purpose, it can alleviate stress, rejuvenate, energize and promote an overall sense of well-being. Take the time to breathe- to really breathe. Feel your body working and acknowledge your existence as a living being on this Earth.

Often we get so caught up in our day to day lives, errands and responsibilities that we become isolated within our own existence. Remember to breathe. Remember you are a part of this Earth, take the time to pause, breathe it all in, reflect and appreciate.

When time's get tough, when things get overwhelming, when you feel you can't go on: Remember to breathe.

Thoughts from myself as a 19 year old

Taken from my same pocket book, circa March 23, 2005:

Music is the soundtrack to life-

19- Where will this crazy World take me? It all lays at my feet in anticipation of the years to come. It's so hard to imagine a life of marriage, kids and true responsibility. It seems a lifetime away when in all reality, it may be just around the corner...
Pink, purple, orange and red sunsets-
Playing the game of life in a concrete jungle of insanity...
The snow melts making way for the slumbering beauty of Spring to awaken.

Circa July 9th, 2008

A note that I wrote to myself in my little pocket book of things I hope to never forget when I'm old and gray:

Live like today is your last day,
Work like you don't need to;
Love like you've found your souls counterpart,
EXPERIENCE!

"Life passes most people by while they're busy making grand plans for it"- Quote from the movie "Blow"

There is no reality, there is only perception...

An Addiction Explained-

Those close to me know that I am addicted to foot massages... literally!
I've plead to and paid loved ones for a brief 5-minute rub, ANYTHING! The feeling is indescribable and instantly promotes a full-body feeling of euphoria and relaxation.

I remember when I was about 14 years old, my Mom took me to one of her friends who practiced reflexology (an alternative medicine method involving the practice of massaging, squeezing, or pushing on parts of the feet, or sometimes the hands and ears, with the goal of encouraging a beneficial effect on other parts of the body, or to improve general health) Wikipedia.

I have never felt SO good in my life! It was ever since that wonderful day that my addiction began.

The reason I'm so fixated on this at the moment is because I just came across a gorgeously compiled chart outlining what body part will be affected depending on what areas of the feet are massaged:

My personal favorites are the sinus points (massaging the tips of your fingers are the equivalent of this for your hands), the spine and the ever elusive heart point. Try some out on yourself or, if you dare, on another person (although you may be roped into doing it from there on!).

I guarantee this method of healing and relaxation actually does what it claims, but I think it's best I stop writing about this because I can feel my feet beginning to clue in and start to ache for some touch.

Happy Rubbing! :P

Sick Talk of Turkeys 'N' Such

Argh... so after juuuust fully recuperating from whatever knocked me down sick a few weeks ago, WHAMMY; It's back! The achy and sensitive body, the feeling of being poked in the eyes with metal skewers and the incessant congestion accompanied by a never ending runny nose...
Not fun :(
Even worse is the fact that my lovey is out of town for the week so I can't depend on him to help with out with sweet things like soup, tea, hugs and foot rubs.. bah-humbug!

On a completely unrelated note, I've recently come across some "common" sayings that have VERY different meanings than what is usually intended when used. One that I really liked and am going to implement in my every day talk is the term: "turkey slap"
I had never heard anyone use this before, but apparently it's used in the context of "foul play" of some sort... in actuality it really means:

To slap someone in the face with your man business

Hehehehe, great isn't it? I like quirky little sayings like that, that you may hear in everyday talk but used completely out of context.
Another one I love?:

Bumba-clot

Not sure what that one means? I'll tell you now that it's NOT referring to a big booty lady as most people think. Check out this patois (rasta) dictionary to find out the real meaning of the BUMBACLOT!!!

Anywho, I'm going to park myself on the couch under a pile of warm coziness and commence the recovering numero deux. Till next time ;)

First Stab

So I have to be honest in saying that I have never attempted to "blog" before, although I do believe it's a healthy outlet for getting concerns off your chest or simply sharing something delightful with others.

I'm not quite sure what to make of this as of present, but I do have quite a number of things that strike me on a day to day basis so perhaps this blog will become "my spot" for sharing these occurrences with... whoever may be reading, or possibly no one at all. It's funny how documenting one's thoughts can instantly make you feel better and more purposeful, even is there's no one following along on your journey...

We shall see what becomes of this none-the-less; Currently I'm at a point in my life where I have recognized and accepted that I really am in the "green and new" stage and have only yet begun to decipher who I am and who I want to be as a human being for the rest of my days. What do I want to do in days, weeks, months and years to come? Who do I want to be? How do I want to present myself to the World and which way will I choose to interact with and learn from those around me.

It's amazing you know... we, human beings, are 99.99% alike, regardless of our gender, race, background and age. It is for that reason that despite what you may want to do initially, we should truly treat those around us with kindness, love and respect for we are all the same in the end.

Anywho, here I go rambling again about the complexities of it all... I'll stop for now, till next time!