Monday, September 24, 2007

The Sacred Heart of Kalli

Something about her hands, stance and gaze in this picture made me think of an Orthodox Icon of Jesus.


Friday, September 21, 2007

I forgot to mention...

...last Sunday my family and I went to see Dan Zanes live in concert. Though they had some sound issues, it was an afternoon of great folky music that was kid-friendly and yet enjoyable by adults (my daughter did fall asleep, however, due to lack of napping). Plus they cleared out rows in the theater so there could be a dance party. Oh, ya.





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Now playing on iTunes: Al Green - Let's Stay Together
via FoxyTunes

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Quote: "Press On"

"Press on: Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

[Calvin Coolidge]

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Live Recording

Here's a LIVE recording of Pink Noise (my Pink Floyd Tribute Band) playing "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." While it's not without a cringe-moment here and there (and some of the mix could be changed), it turned out pretty dern good for a recording of a live performance. Enjoy.





The song is rather long (14 min) so if you'd rather download it and listen to it later (instead of being parked on my blog), right-click and "Save As..." or "Save Target As..." on the link below.

Shine On You Crazy Diamond

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Snap, Crackle, Pop (Kinky)

I can still very much recall when it happened.

About three years ago I had taken up a yoga practice and was getting pretty regular at it. Up until that time I would say I had a fairly bad (but common) posture of rounding my back all the time.

Well one day while in downward-dog, my shoulders rolled back a bit and my back straightened in a way that - quite frankly I'm not sure ever had - and there was a very intense *POP* in my spine right between my shoulder blades. It wasn't a bad pop, in fact it was one of the most insanely pleasurable things in my entire life.

I remember going to a friend's house that evening with my wife and feeling like my body was floating on air - like some sort of kink that I had carried for years was finally blasted open. In fact to this day, I still like to stretch against a wall and recreate that "pop" (though it is now a fraction of the intensity it was that first day).

It's amazing what happens when we butt up against resistances, knots and tough situations and - instead of recoiling in fear - find what it takes to blast through. We've all got quirks and kinks and while some must be accepted as limitations, others are ready to be blown through to find release and freedom on the other side.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

TV for Toddlers who take Acid

Holy crap.

Nickelodeon has introduced a new show called Yo! Gabba Gabba and I must say again: "holy crap."

Take 80's rap beats and video game references, a bunch of colorful and creepy puppet-people, celebrity cameos (see the 2nd clip), an emcee named DJ Lance and put it all at an ADD-inducing editing speed and you've got Yo! Gabba Gabba.

I can only imagine how absolutely hilarious this show would be under the influence of any number of substances. Actually, I'm glad my kid likes it because I get a chance to watch it guilt-free... and it's totally cracking me up.

There's a Party in my Tummy"


Elijah Wood does the Puppet Master


The show's intro

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Tricksters

I really enjoyed this video below. At most schools there is a tradition of the students pulling off a class prank. Many times these things are malicious, causing destruction and harm. (A couple of us, for example, in high school wanted to put a live goat in the Library... which never came to fruition, by the by.)

In the clip below, the Junior Class at some high school blocked traffic for some time by walking in a steady stream across the street, running through the underground tunnels and getting back in line. It's quite the humorous display. One can only imagine the frustration of those waiting in their cars to get through.

There ARE stories throughout the world's traditions of God being the Divine Trickster: Krishna as the butter thief, the Native American coyote, etc. I think a healthy amount of mischief is good for the world. It helps us see that our little dramas are mostly superficial (like being stuck in a traffic jam) and since EVERYTHING ends, then NOTHING is to be taken too seriously (sincerly, yes, but not too seriously).

Enjoy "The Junior Prank":