Sunday, October 25, 2009

City of Blinding Lights video



Live from the Brooklyn Bridge, U2. I absolutely LOVE this song. It is beautiful. And this youtube video is actually quite good. I love NYC. I love U2.

If you happened to watch the Democratic National Convention last year, our soon to be President Obama walked onto stage to speak, the beginning of this song was playing to his entrance on stage. I always wondered when watching that live, just how many people in the USA knew it was a U2 song? I'm sure many fans resonated with it...and the ethereal instrumental beginning of the song I'm sure resonated with viewers who had no idea it was a U2 song. What a great song. And I wonder if Plouffe or Axelrod chose the song? I am curious who chose it...but I'm sure it helped the energy of that great campaign. Wow, was his campaign not an outstanding accomplishment? I studied political campaigns in college, and as I watched it unfold...I was is in awe of the power of the campaign, online, on tv, the crowds, the energy, I hope that sense of hope returns. That campaign was so well done and so well orchestrated...and so is this song.

And I am sad to say that U2's last production, "No Line on the Horizon" does not do the band any justice, I don't know what happened, but they lost their mojo they had on their last cd... sad to say, but I'm a huge fan and I was let down. But hey, it's hard to follow up one blockbuster with another.. so I still love them. I know some hardcore fans say their career went downhill after Achtung Baby, but I disagree. They went through a normal slump in life that all people go through, good years, bad years, ups and downs....it's part of the rhythm of life I suppose. So...even if I don't love their new cd, they are still awesome and I imagine that one day again, in the future, they will return with some truly amazing and emotionally charged great sounds.

If you've never watched U2's official video on youtube for "Yahweh" check it out too...animated...a great message too...

Peace out for now G

Sunday, October 18, 2009

WELTANGST vs. peace of mind

Weltangst.

Anxiety and worries of the world. I googled its meaning..it is hard to find a lot about it. Basically, it's all the bs and worries in your mind...about the larger world....stuff on the world news...politics, crime, war, hate, struggles, oppression, hunger, fear, the destruction of the environment, the gross inequality of wealth distribution in the world, poverty, injustice, corruption, etc. I could list a lot more. But I digress.

I really need to stop worrying and being so concerned about SO many things. I gave up the news for a few days but could not stop watching...I need to know some of what is going on...at least what we learn from the filtered media. I want to learn and be aware, and understand. I want to help save the world and people if I can...and I know I am virtually powerless over almost all of the things I worry about. I can't save the world. Maybe the buddhists are right, life is suffering..it is inevitable...we are all suffering and we desire more and more which makes us suffer more and more....we are hungry then we eat...we feel good for a few hours...then we get hungry again and feel bad..we need to eat. We are feeling sexual...and find release....then the craving returns and our mind is off again seeking pleasure. And endless pursuit of desires and needs and wants...

I am making a resolution to myself to not worry about the things I cannot control, which is 99% of the Weltangst. I want to learn to meditate. To have some peace of mind. To relax.

But I also want to be involved in a few issues I believe in to help people...I have to decide what they are. Perhaps I need to give some money to sponsor a poor school district, or pay for school supplies for a poverty stricken school in a nearby city...direct action. Or I need to give blood several times a year. Or I need to volunteer at a shelter. Or do something.. My life is not perfect, but it is relatively very good compared with the lives of millions of others who don't have enough to eat...live in squalor...struggle for survival .

I want peace of mind. I want good karma. I want to feel I am doing my little part to be a positive influence on the world. I try hard to do so.. But I need to focus my priorities and pick 1, 2, or 3 things that I want to get involved with that are positive....(and I think politics is not one of them! Talk about stress and conflict!)

I am becoming dissilusioned with politics once again. I have been through this cycle many times. I go from believing in the process....to being very cynical about it. I have to plead the 5th amendment..I will spare you my opinions on the health care "reform", the billions in Wall Street bonuses in the middle of a huge recession, the escalation of a foreign conflict, etc, etc. I'm not feeling the Hope and Change that I voted for. If feels like a lot of more of the same status quo. I want our leaders to truly lead us....and make positive changes to make our lives better, and to make America a greater nation. I can only imagine that many people who voted for the change last year are feeling a little dissapointed in what is going on.....hey.....wait a minute....I thought we were going in a new direction? I thought we were going to start taking care of our fellow Americans? I want a leader who will stand up to interest groups that have too much influence, I want a leader who will have the guts to lead...not just compromise, not just give in to the "center", not just play the same old games in DC. I have so much respect for our new world leader....I am hoping he will be very successful, but I am feeling dissapointed right now....I feel let down....I want that rhetoric of hope and change to be put into real action.

there...I got it out of my psyche and system....I feel better!

....I am going to try and find some peace of mind for today...(sounding like Stuart Smalley!)...by the way, go Al Franken....who would have thought he would be where he is now!

I am going to slow down....relax..refocus...pick a few things I can be involved in that make small, positive steps in a progressive direction to help people. But I want to preserve my own sanity in the process. Welt in angst...you are not helping me....I need to be centered from a center of peace and calm. (....deep breath.....breathe..) Enjoy the day folks, and see if you can do one thing to help one other human being today...even if it is just holding the door for someone and smiling at them!

Monday, October 12, 2009

BBW!


BBW. Some love the term, others hate it. You may know already, it stands for Big, Beautiful Women(Woman). Usage of the term is generally used in a positive light by men who prefer "plus sized", "voluptuous", "curvy", "zaftig", women. Not all "BBW's" like the term but it has become a mainstream term on the net and in personal ads and for social gathering events for those who are and like BBW's.

I did not invent the term, wikipedia claims to know it's origin, I'm not sure about that.. Regardless, I am one of those men who prefers the larger ladies. Many of us who have this preference have been categorized as out of the mainstream...but there are more and more people who have become aware and interested in the size acceptance movement. And many men secretly harbor fantasies of being with BBW's but they are "in the closet", secretly wishing their skinny girlfriend had some meat on her bones! How sad. Better to admit it and get on with finding some "big" love.

It is not a strange, mysterious "fetish". It is a preference, just as some of you may prefer brown or blue eyes, or red hair or blond hair....

I believe we all have physical attraction "preferences". Some like tall people. Some women like just Latino men. Some guys like petite blondes. Some women only like other women. Some women only date guys in great athletic shape. I really don't care what someone prefers...but I think we all have some preferences...and so liking BBW's is just a preference. I personally have found BBW's the most attractive type of woman since I was in my teens. I have also been attracted to non-BBW's. I just have a personal preference. I hate when people try to explain it in some sort of psychological analysis terms, "he must think big woman are easier...", "...he is overweight so he only goes for overweight women...", "...he thinks he can manipulate such women..". I've heard it all. Pure nonsense. I know what I like...I know myself and my real attraction to BBW's and how it is real, visceral and not psychological.

SO: If you unaware of the Size Acceptance Movement, check it out. Big people should not be discriminated against...just as tall or short people should not be....just as we should not stereotype by race, class, age or other "pigeonhole".

For more resources check out these sites:

http://www.naafa.org

http://www.dimensionsmagazine.com

Thank you for listening and be sure to hit me back with some reactions if you disagree, agree or just have something to say. I wish you peace. And next time you see a person of size...try not to prejudge them as a person, open your mind up, this is a fellow human being...with fears and hopes and desires just like you...and they too can be proud of who they are. And there are many guys (and women..) out there who prefer ample love, and declare that: "too much of a good thing, is a great thing!"

Sunday, October 4, 2009

What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding?


Above music video: Elvis Costello, "What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding?". It is by far one of my favorite songs and the lyrics ring true. Hope you like it. I recall watching it on MTV (back in the the good ole days of real rock video!) in the early 80's as a teen...I loved it then...and still love this song. Youtube has many other versions of the song to check out..live..acoustic...several to check out. I watched most of them and liked this one with the lyrics.

Good evening to my rather limited readership audience. (You know who you are!) I think I know who you are..and can count you on one hand. I hope you have been well. The past few months have brought some blessings into my life..including a new career and a move. It has been and is a great journey to be on. I've been able to find more joy in life (ok...I still read too many newspapers and have VELTANGST!) and things have been going much better. I consider most of the earlier part of this year and the 2nd half of last year as a rather dark period of life for me. I am feeling much more hopeful and optimistic. I took a "news fast" for a few days and have refocused on things I enjoy...music, books, coffee, talking to friends, food and enjoying some of life's simple pleasures. Warning: Reading and watching too much news can be hazardous to your health!! It causes anxiety and other modern afflictions of the mind. It can be toxic to the soul. So... I hope you are doing well and be sure to remember to smell the roses, or cologne, or fresh roasted coffee....or whatever makes you happy! And do it at least once a day.

My offer and extension of welcome to the Dalai Lama to come to Delaware and have lunch with me and some friends still stands. He is in high demand so I don't think that will be happening anytime soon. If there is one hero I have in mind these days he is the man. I am not an adherent to his whole philosophy...but so much of what he has done and has to say give me so much admiration for this wonderful person. If you don't know about him and Tibetan Buddhism...you should look into it to learn more.

link: http://www.dalailama.com/

I don't push religion or philosophy. I approach it with an open mind. I like to learn and understand ideas. I am interested in understanding out of intellectual curiousity, not being an ideologue. But check it out and reflect on some of his thoughts and feelings. I wish more world leaders would pick up some of his vibes and love of humanity. He is a beacon of light in an often dark world. Some of his words and his overall energy resonate with me: I believe he is the real deal. He is not a man after power, greed, control, status, money or ego tripping. He is among an enlightened part of humanity that is spiritually advanced beyond modern civilization and our focus on ego, money and power. One day, many years in the future, humanity may realize what it had...and appreciate it...or may continue devolving into the overpopulated, environmentally ruined, polarized world of haves and have nots. A neo-Malthusian crisis seems likely in the future as we go beyond 6 billion people. I pray that humanity is moving in a positive trajectory but my realism and cynicism at times leads me to think the opposite is happening. De-evolution.

I can't even get into the politics of the fate of the Tibetan people, it is one of the saddest situations in the world. What has occured there over the last half century is a crime against humanity. I can only hope that the Tibetan people can get the hell out of there and keep their traditions and culture alive in India and other parts of the world where they are accepted and allowed to be free. My heart and prayers are with the Tibetan buddhists and their plight. I think karma is going to be very good to them in the long run! Good Karma.

Have a wonderful day and week. Think about it, what is so funny about peace, love and understanding? Why are these such alien ideas in so many places and people?