When you think about people's taste in music, they usually 'fit' one or two categories or genres. For instance, a 'Metal-head" mostly listens to Metal Rock, but can be found listening to Rock that is not so hard, or even Classic Rock. The same is usually true for 'Country-lovers' liking Rock or Blues. I, on the other hand, do not fit into related categories; I love almost all genres of music.
Although I most often listen to Alternative Rock, two types of music that I really enjoy is Ancient Middle Eastern and Polynesian Tribal. I first was exposed to Polynesian Tribal as a child because my mother, having once lived in Hawaii, was a big fan of the native music. I came to appreciate Ancient Middle Eastern about ten years ago when I was doing a Bible Study on the culture that Jesus was raised in.
I found that the two genres actually have a lot in common with each other. Composition, story-telling, religious inspiration, the fact that much of both have and had dancing in mind, even to the point of being composed precisely for a dance, and the basic rhythmic drum-beat give these two a familiarity to each other. Most of both are story-telling of the culture/religion/history. The biggest reason for the dance element is that almost all of the music does not have lyrics, and so the dancing must tell the story.
My children and I have actually been a part of The Hula Dance and Praise team at our church and have performed in several venues. My daughters and I also Belly Dance, but that is actually more for the fun of it. All of us really enjoy the music for the sake of the music, but I personally enjoy the movement of the music and its history.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Thoughts about "Seeing" Love
On the website for "This I Believe", I found the blog written by Stephanie Clark titled Seeing with the Heart. It tells of other peoples reactions to her daughter, who is adopted and not of the same racial background as herself. Her main idea is that people don't always see family the way she and her daughter do, which is with their hearts.
She tells of specific instances that have angered her, frustrated her, or just made her roll her eyes at the ridiculousness of the questions ask of her and the relationship she has with her daughter. She used to react with smart-aleky responses, but she realized that, as a mom, she needed to be a good example for her child. Now, she answers people with "This is my daughter."
She has found that the questions are because people see their love and want to know where this love comes from. She and her daughter both respond the same direction; this is someone I love and who loves me in return. They are just as, if not more so, demonstative of their love for each other as any other mother and daughter. They show each other love and others see it.
To Stephanie and her child, their love for each other is all that truly matters.
She tells of specific instances that have angered her, frustrated her, or just made her roll her eyes at the ridiculousness of the questions ask of her and the relationship she has with her daughter. She used to react with smart-aleky responses, but she realized that, as a mom, she needed to be a good example for her child. Now, she answers people with "This is my daughter."
She has found that the questions are because people see their love and want to know where this love comes from. She and her daughter both respond the same direction; this is someone I love and who loves me in return. They are just as, if not more so, demonstative of their love for each other as any other mother and daughter. They show each other love and others see it.
To Stephanie and her child, their love for each other is all that truly matters.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
A Good Movie
Recently, I rented the movie Iron Man. I have always enjoyed movies that are based on comic books. I also have been a fairly big fan of the comic book character, Tony Stark/Iron Man.
I feel that the movie did the comic book justice. They kept with the theme of Tony being a spoiled, intelligent, rich man. When he is captured by militant extremists, he discovers that what he and his armament company have stood for may not be what he considers to be right.
The special effects were, in my opinion, very well done. They were not over-the-top, other than what was needed for the telling of the story. The way the each of the 'Iron' suits were put together and showing the technological improvement of each impressed me, as the tech crew payed attention to those particular details. That the story shows how Tony must learn how to control this powerful 'weapon', and suffers through the learning makes the story both funny and more believable.
I truly enjoyed this movie. The only part that I had a problem with is that at one point, he wrecks his Shelby-GT (which happens to be my favorite car ever). All in all, it is a good adventure/techno thriller that holds to its beginnings.
I feel that the movie did the comic book justice. They kept with the theme of Tony being a spoiled, intelligent, rich man. When he is captured by militant extremists, he discovers that what he and his armament company have stood for may not be what he considers to be right.
The special effects were, in my opinion, very well done. They were not over-the-top, other than what was needed for the telling of the story. The way the each of the 'Iron' suits were put together and showing the technological improvement of each impressed me, as the tech crew payed attention to those particular details. That the story shows how Tony must learn how to control this powerful 'weapon', and suffers through the learning makes the story both funny and more believable.
I truly enjoyed this movie. The only part that I had a problem with is that at one point, he wrecks his Shelby-GT (which happens to be my favorite car ever). All in all, it is a good adventure/techno thriller that holds to its beginnings.
Monday, October 13, 2008
A Child's Job is to make Their Parents Crazy
I firmly believe that it is ingrained into humans that, as a child, you MUST make you parents crazy. Ask any parent or guardian. Ask people in the daycare industry. Ask elementary school workers. I believe that they will all tell you what could be considered horror stories.
Even for people who do not have children or work with children could easily agree with me. Ask yourself and others to recall things from childhood. If it wasn't you, maybe it was a sibling or neighbor kid acting out or being strange. Or maybe just plain ridiculous and unstable.
It also covers the entire span of childhood.
The infant that is colicky, or learns to walk at eight months old. The one that is always getting horrid chest colds, or climbs out of the crib to trash a room.
Toddlers are a special kind of mental terrorist. They can say, with conviction, "NO!" They know exactly what they want and will do their best to get that fish tank knocked over on its side. That bag of cookies couldn't possibly be for their older siblings classmates party---oh, no, it must be mine because I want it. There is no room for sharing and there are no limits to their world.
Preschool age to about 6yrs they start showing that they do have a brain and that they can use it, but there are new challenges to conceive of and achieve in their growing independence. Why must I brush my hair and teeth? Where does the water got to when you flush a toilet? Can the DVD player only play disks? HHMM, let's find out if the dishwasher can wash clothes, too.
The crazy-makers don't stop there. The older they get, the more inventive they become, and the start to use logic against you. A teen uses your own past against you when trying to get what they want, even when they don't know the facts. Well, how old were you the first time Aunt Tilly let you drive? Did your parents lock you up when you haven't even done anything wrong? What's wrong with blue? Your hair was blue at my age, too! And I have the picture of your Mohawk, Mom!
Then they move out, just to spite you. Or they stay too long, just to spite you.
Then they actually start acting human. They have a full-time job, pay their rent, buy their first car without your help. They start having 'real' conversations with you, and they respect your point of view, even when they don't agree.
They grow up and they grow away---just to make you crazy and a bit nostalgic for the craziness of their youth. But only a bit.
Even for people who do not have children or work with children could easily agree with me. Ask yourself and others to recall things from childhood. If it wasn't you, maybe it was a sibling or neighbor kid acting out or being strange. Or maybe just plain ridiculous and unstable.
It also covers the entire span of childhood.
The infant that is colicky, or learns to walk at eight months old. The one that is always getting horrid chest colds, or climbs out of the crib to trash a room.
Toddlers are a special kind of mental terrorist. They can say, with conviction, "NO!" They know exactly what they want and will do their best to get that fish tank knocked over on its side. That bag of cookies couldn't possibly be for their older siblings classmates party---oh, no, it must be mine because I want it. There is no room for sharing and there are no limits to their world.
Preschool age to about 6yrs they start showing that they do have a brain and that they can use it, but there are new challenges to conceive of and achieve in their growing independence. Why must I brush my hair and teeth? Where does the water got to when you flush a toilet? Can the DVD player only play disks? HHMM, let's find out if the dishwasher can wash clothes, too.
The crazy-makers don't stop there. The older they get, the more inventive they become, and the start to use logic against you. A teen uses your own past against you when trying to get what they want, even when they don't know the facts. Well, how old were you the first time Aunt Tilly let you drive? Did your parents lock you up when you haven't even done anything wrong? What's wrong with blue? Your hair was blue at my age, too! And I have the picture of your Mohawk, Mom!
Then they move out, just to spite you. Or they stay too long, just to spite you.
Then they actually start acting human. They have a full-time job, pay their rent, buy their first car without your help. They start having 'real' conversations with you, and they respect your point of view, even when they don't agree.
They grow up and they grow away---just to make you crazy and a bit nostalgic for the craziness of their youth. But only a bit.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
A Girl That Plays Football
My 12yr old daughter, Emily, plays football. She has been on a team since she was 7 because no team will take kids younger than that except for flag football. She said "That's lame! I can't tackle?!".
She first let us know that she wanted to play when she was 4. She let us know by sitting under a tree and crying at every one of her brothers games that year. "I just want to play, Mom!" she would wail, completely devastated. "Dad's a coach, you play for the Valkyries, all my brothers play, even Alexis [her sister] tried out for her school's team! Why can't I play?"
So she waited NOT very patiently. The spring when she was 7, her father signed her and one of our boys up without telling them. Then he let her know about 2 days later, and she freaked!!! She gathered her brothers and all the boys in the neighborhood in our backyard to start running drills. The boys took turns for the next 2 months drilling with her almost everyday. She was obsessed.
Just before the season began, I got a call from her soon-to-be coach, asking why this little girl wanted to play. He didn't want me to misunderstand; he wasn't being chauvinistic, it's just that, from his experience, most girls who play usually wait until they are 11 or 12 to prove that they're as good as the boys are. So I told him the family's football background, that she literally learned to walk on a football field, and that we are all obsessed with the game.
The first season was interesting. There were some who truly believed that a girl shouldn't be on the field, and their boys would repeat this to Emily during practices. Most of her teammates realized that, on the field, she was just another player, and would back her up to those boys who cut her down. There were even people in our own family who felt that we were crazy to let her play. My father-in-law even suggested tennis, instead. I bit my tongue but my mother-in-law didn't. She told him that he just didn't "get" Emily, and to back off. (Thanks, Mom!)
She has proved that she belongs there, just like any other kid. She has become an incredible running back (offense), averaging 4 yards per carry. She is middle linebacker (defense), with at least one quarterback sack every game. She's also a key player for their special teams, both kickoff and kick returns. This year her team has a few new coaches who understand how valuable of a player she is to the team. There are several kids who are great players on this team and she is one of them. This season has been a great year for her team. They are probably going to the Carnation Bowl playoffs (the leagues version of a Super Bowl).
Emily's ultimate dream is to be the first woman signed to the NFL. There have been women in minor leagues, and we've even had our own Women's Leagues off and on in the past. She wants NFL. I do not have the heart to tell her that a woman in the big leagues probably will not happen in her lifetime. I am also very well aware that, if any woman can do it, it's my daughter who will make it happen. You go, GIRL!!!
She first let us know that she wanted to play when she was 4. She let us know by sitting under a tree and crying at every one of her brothers games that year. "I just want to play, Mom!" she would wail, completely devastated. "Dad's a coach, you play for the Valkyries, all my brothers play, even Alexis [her sister] tried out for her school's team! Why can't I play?"
So she waited NOT very patiently. The spring when she was 7, her father signed her and one of our boys up without telling them. Then he let her know about 2 days later, and she freaked!!! She gathered her brothers and all the boys in the neighborhood in our backyard to start running drills. The boys took turns for the next 2 months drilling with her almost everyday. She was obsessed.
Just before the season began, I got a call from her soon-to-be coach, asking why this little girl wanted to play. He didn't want me to misunderstand; he wasn't being chauvinistic, it's just that, from his experience, most girls who play usually wait until they are 11 or 12 to prove that they're as good as the boys are. So I told him the family's football background, that she literally learned to walk on a football field, and that we are all obsessed with the game.
The first season was interesting. There were some who truly believed that a girl shouldn't be on the field, and their boys would repeat this to Emily during practices. Most of her teammates realized that, on the field, she was just another player, and would back her up to those boys who cut her down. There were even people in our own family who felt that we were crazy to let her play. My father-in-law even suggested tennis, instead. I bit my tongue but my mother-in-law didn't. She told him that he just didn't "get" Emily, and to back off. (Thanks, Mom!)
She has proved that she belongs there, just like any other kid. She has become an incredible running back (offense), averaging 4 yards per carry. She is middle linebacker (defense), with at least one quarterback sack every game. She's also a key player for their special teams, both kickoff and kick returns. This year her team has a few new coaches who understand how valuable of a player she is to the team. There are several kids who are great players on this team and she is one of them. This season has been a great year for her team. They are probably going to the Carnation Bowl playoffs (the leagues version of a Super Bowl).
Emily's ultimate dream is to be the first woman signed to the NFL. There have been women in minor leagues, and we've even had our own Women's Leagues off and on in the past. She wants NFL. I do not have the heart to tell her that a woman in the big leagues probably will not happen in her lifetime. I am also very well aware that, if any woman can do it, it's my daughter who will make it happen. You go, GIRL!!!
Monday, October 6, 2008
The "Old" Elitch Gardens
The old location of Elitch's is no longer recognizable as the former site of a beloved amusement park. When you drive by 38th and Tennyson, you will see townhouses and what only some recognize as the old Opera House. Trees have been cut down and new ones installed. There is no expanse of parking lot on the western edge. There are brand new buildings for living and shopping.
I would go to Elitch's at least three times every summer, even when I was getting too old for it to be 'cool'. I felt that I had to; it was part of my summer, like visiting grandparents. The trees were grand. The buildings were older. The music suited the rides. The ride and building placement flowed in a familiar, small town simplicity. It smelled like the first day of a traveling carnival, even in August.
The laughter and the roar of the roller coaster were the first things that greeted you at the western gate. The original main gate was at the north-east corner, where you entered through the calm, garden-like mini-golf course and you could see the carousel ahead. The sound of the bigger rides were not as loud and penetrating here.
Maybe once every three years did they change or add a new ride, and it was installed BEFORE the season started. We would wait to find out what were, if any, the changes for this years. I had a sister who was a rides operator and another sister that worked in the games area. They both enjoyed the work and the camaraderie of the other employees for three seasons. Most other employees returned each year as well.
Elitch Gardens started out as true gardens. You could stroll through beautiful floral arrangement, or sit under a large tree for afternoon tea. Awhile later, they added a small zoo. If you had been to the amusement park in its last decades, you could see the grates in the ground: those were the 'vents' for the animals in the winter months.
The new location of Elitch's is nice, but it is just not the same. The trees are wrong. There isn't a skyride. There is not a classic feel to the place. I truly love amusement parks and I still go to Elitch's on occasion, but it's not the park I hold in my heart as MY Elitch's.
I would go to Elitch's at least three times every summer, even when I was getting too old for it to be 'cool'. I felt that I had to; it was part of my summer, like visiting grandparents. The trees were grand. The buildings were older. The music suited the rides. The ride and building placement flowed in a familiar, small town simplicity. It smelled like the first day of a traveling carnival, even in August.
The laughter and the roar of the roller coaster were the first things that greeted you at the western gate. The original main gate was at the north-east corner, where you entered through the calm, garden-like mini-golf course and you could see the carousel ahead. The sound of the bigger rides were not as loud and penetrating here.
Maybe once every three years did they change or add a new ride, and it was installed BEFORE the season started. We would wait to find out what were, if any, the changes for this years. I had a sister who was a rides operator and another sister that worked in the games area. They both enjoyed the work and the camaraderie of the other employees for three seasons. Most other employees returned each year as well.
Elitch Gardens started out as true gardens. You could stroll through beautiful floral arrangement, or sit under a large tree for afternoon tea. Awhile later, they added a small zoo. If you had been to the amusement park in its last decades, you could see the grates in the ground: those were the 'vents' for the animals in the winter months.
The new location of Elitch's is nice, but it is just not the same. The trees are wrong. There isn't a skyride. There is not a classic feel to the place. I truly love amusement parks and I still go to Elitch's on occasion, but it's not the park I hold in my heart as MY Elitch's.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Looking forward to an Evening
I have been invited to a very big, elegant party on the 17th of this month. It is the 95th birthday party for Philip Islie, the founder and CEO of The Vitamin Cottage. He is also the founder and main voice to the internationally renowned and revered One World Order. For the past seven years, he has been recognized by the French-based Who's Who in the World organization, as being on the top five people to "pay attention to".
I met Philip and his wife, Jelica, about six years ago. They are our neighbors. They are very nice, kind people and actually very 'down-to-earth'. They do not put on airs as if they are better than others, or that we are beneath them in ANY way. Although our lives do not allow us to socialize with each other often, we try to get together for brunch, lunch, or coffee every couple of weeks. We have been to several of their small get-togethers in both their homes, as well as them coming to our gatherings.
The first time that we had been invited to one of their functions, it was for Philip's 90th birthday. It was huge. It was elegant. It was surprisingly fun. For as old as he is, Philip is incredibly healthy and he loves to dance. He and Eli were on the dance floor more than anyone else that attended.
Philip has been fighting with his health much more in the past year. He still is very active; traveling all over the world, running the O.W.O.(remotely and on site), staying involved with the family business, etc. I haven't seen him in several months, and I'm looking forward to his party just to see how he's been. Although we differ in our political beliefs, I find him to be an incredibly intelligent, kind man. He likes having someone to just sit and talk with. I don't see his health lasting much longer and it will be hard for many people when he passes on. I truly hope that he will be around for us to celebrate his 1000th birthday!
I met Philip and his wife, Jelica, about six years ago. They are our neighbors. They are very nice, kind people and actually very 'down-to-earth'. They do not put on airs as if they are better than others, or that we are beneath them in ANY way. Although our lives do not allow us to socialize with each other often, we try to get together for brunch, lunch, or coffee every couple of weeks. We have been to several of their small get-togethers in both their homes, as well as them coming to our gatherings.
The first time that we had been invited to one of their functions, it was for Philip's 90th birthday. It was huge. It was elegant. It was surprisingly fun. For as old as he is, Philip is incredibly healthy and he loves to dance. He and Eli were on the dance floor more than anyone else that attended.
Philip has been fighting with his health much more in the past year. He still is very active; traveling all over the world, running the O.W.O.(remotely and on site), staying involved with the family business, etc. I haven't seen him in several months, and I'm looking forward to his party just to see how he's been. Although we differ in our political beliefs, I find him to be an incredibly intelligent, kind man. He likes having someone to just sit and talk with. I don't see his health lasting much longer and it will be hard for many people when he passes on. I truly hope that he will be around for us to celebrate his 1000th birthday!
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