WWJLD Wednesday....Watching the Wheels

One of the main things I like to take from this song when I listen to it is to just stop for a few minutes and just sit back and watch the world go by and just enjoy yourself. Stop trying to be in the middle of everything and just focus on those things that are important. Just sit and watch the wheels go round and round.

This song was released posthumously in 1981 after his murder in 1980. I picked this particular video because I loved the home movies of him being a stay at home dad taking care of his second son Sean. So many people were pressuring him to get back into the music business, but he was done doing things on others terms. He was taking time to be with his family and dream. And wouldn't the world be a better place if we all 'dreamed' like JL? Couldn't we all just take a minute, step off the merry-go-round, and let it all go?

So stop for a minute and read the lyrics, listen to the music, relate it to your own life. Do you need to be in that rat race to be happy? Are their simpler things at home, like your family, your dreams, peace, that are more important?  `







People say I'm crazy doing what I'm doing,
Well they give me all kinds of warnings to save me from ruin,
When I say that I'm o.k. they look at me kind of strange,
Surely your not happy now you no longer play the game,
People say I'm lazy dreaming my life away,
Well they give me all kinds of advice designed to enlighten me,
When I tell that I'm doing Fine watching shadows on the wall,
Don't you miss the big time boy you're no longer on the ball?
I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round,
I really love to watch them roll,
No longer riding on the merry-go-round,
I just had to let it go,
People asking questions lost in confusion,
Well I tell them there's no problem,
Only solutions,
Well they shake their heads and they look at me as if I've lost my mind,
I tell them there's no hurry...
I'm just sitting here doing time,
I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round,
I really love to watch them roll,
No longer riding on the merry-go-round,
I just had to let it go.

Regrets....Getting real

I don't regret too many things in my life. I like to think the mistakes or choices I have made in my life make me who I am. Sure there are always things sometimes I look at and think "Why in the hell did I do that!" or "What the frig was I thinking?" But in the end I know everything I have done has made me stronger.

I was reading the blog of a friend's fiance, and he was discussing an issue that was very important and hurtful to him. He had family members that had decided due to 'personal conflicts' they weren't going to be attending his and my friends wedding. I'm not going to go into any more detail than that for their privacy. My whole take on this is that this is a time in some one's life that you put aside your issues and conflicts and you be there to celebrate the person that you love. Celebrate their love and happiness. This is a moment that you can't recreate.

Reading about the issues he was having made me think of my own wedding to my ex. There were two situations surrounding my wedding that I wasn't sure how they were going to play out. One scenario I am happy how it worked out. The other, I must say, is probably one of my few regrets.  I had a similar issue with a conflict between a couple of family members. I actually wasn't involved, but my mother and my uncle were. I invited my uncle and his family, not knowing if they would actually show up. But I'm happy to say that they put aside whatever issues they had between them and my uncle and his family came. I was very happy they did. I would have been so sad if a family disagreement kept them away from seeing me get married.

The second scenario, was my fault. And I do regret it. Of course there was some influence going into my head. But when I look back now I realize I just wasn't strong enough. If I was the person then, that I am today, this wouldn't have happened. You learn from your mistakes.

I had a falling out with one of my best friends from high school. It really wasn't her fault. It was more mine. Not being comfortable with who I was. Being unsure of my own thoughts and desires. Not using my own voice. I used some one elses. Some one else who pushed me not to be friends with her anymore. Of course in the end, it was my decision. So I'm not passing blame. Just wishing I thought for myself more, instead of letting others do it for me. Truly I envied her confidence. But the whispers into my brain somehow convinced me I couldn't be at my full potential while feeling like she was overshadowing me. But looking back, if she was overshadowing me it was because I wasn't stepping up and out of the shadows. Not because she was doing anything wrong. But I didn't get that then. This is all part of my regret - not thinking for myself, not using my own brain to figure out why I was feeling that way and then not talking to her about it. I have learned that communication can change so much. It can fix so much. But keeping your insecurities inside will never help anything, except to make you bitter and unhappy.

Because I pushed her away, I isolated myself in a way. And when it came time to send out the wedding invitations she was on my 'maybe' list. Should I send her an invite or shouldn't I. By then it had been about 2 years I think since her and I had really spoken. Deep down, I wanted her there. She was one of my closest friends for about 10 years. Of course I wasn't actually ready to face her and discuss what happened because I still didn't have a clear head about it. I was still being told how much better I was without her. And how much I was growing without her. When in truth, I was growing on my own, and it had nothing to do with her or anyone else specifically. It had to do with life in general.

In the end I didn't invite her. I was influenced in that decision, but again, I take responsibility for it. The weirdest thing was her sister ended up being there. And that, in a way, actually gave me some comfort at the time. But I should have invited her. And I should have made amends. But it's hard to admit when you are wrong. It's hard to own up to it, especially face to face.

I see her from time to time and we have small talk. I do miss our friendship. I have come to accept things I have done wrong in my head and my heart, but to acknowledge it out loud is something totally different. I guess in the end I'm still not as strong as I'd like to be. But I continue to learn and grow. I'm working on those few things I see as regrets. And maybe some day I'll say it all out loud, face to face. And then, I think maybe the regrets might go away. I know it all starts and ends with communication. The good and the bad.

Do you have regrets or do you not believe in them?

WWJLD Wednesday....God

This song is right up there with my favorite JL songs. It's simple and beautiful. I'm sure there have been many people throughout the years that don't really listen to the message of this song and just take it as JL's bashing God or religion. But it isn't that at all. The message is simple - in the end all these things society and your family/friends push on you to believe in mean nothing. Believe in yourself and love and that's all you really need. Everything else is just an idea or a false idol.

I can imagine the first lines - God is a concept, by which we measure our pain - offending many people right off the bat. I'm not trying to take away anyone's faith in their religion, but think about what many religions started to become. They use certain parts of the scripture to put the 'fear of God' into you. I think the basics that most religions were based on can be very beautiful. But then 'man' gets involved in preaching it and it just turns into something else completely - don't sin or God will send you to hell! God is a concept by which we measure our pain.

Push everything else aside and look to yourself and your loved ones. That's what is truly important.

Faith is great and can help many people through hard times. Role models are nice for you to look up to aspire to be like. We put our faith in our leaders of counties. Some even believe magic will get them through hardships. But in the end, the only thing that is concrete and you can truly depend on, is yourself and those that love you.

On a side note - I finally learned what the Zimmerman reference was only about a year ago. It's a reference to Bob Dylan's real last name. I'm pretty sure they were friends with Dylan, so you can see this song isn't meant to be a slam on anyone or anything. And the line about - I was the walrus, But now I'm John - is classic. The Beatles are done and over, that dream is over. It's pretend time anymore in this bigger than life world he had been living in with the Beatles. The dream is over.





God is a concept,
By which we can measure,
Our pain,
I'll say it again,
God is a concept,
By which we can measure,
Our pain,
I don't believe in magic,
I don't believe in I-ching,
I don't believe in bible,
I don't believe in tarot,
I don't believe in Hitler,
I don't believe in Jesus,
I don't believe in Kennedy,
I don't believe in Buddah,
I don't believe in mantra,
I don't believe in Gita,
I don't believe in yoga,
I don't believe in kings,
I don't believe in Elvis,
I don't believe in Zimmerman,
I don't believe in Beatles,
I just believe in me,
Yoko and me,
And that's reality.
The dream is over,
What can I say?
The dream is over,
Yesterday,
I was dreamweaver,
But now I'm reborn,
I was the walrus,
But now I'm John,
And so dear friends,
You just have to carry on,
The dream is over.

WWJLD Wednesday.....How do you sleep?

"How Do You Sleep?" was a pretty controversial song from JL's solo career. It's one of the first lyrical bitch slaps that I can think of and to me, the best. There have been some really good lyrical fights after this - Tupac's "Hit 'Em Up" against Biggie and Dr. Dre's "F*ck wit' Dre Day" against Eazy E are two of my favorites. But this one is the original to me. I was reading some comments on the videos for this song on the internet and it's funny how many people got angry over this song. But to me that just goes to show what a great artist JL was - even today his own emotions come through the song and make you feel what he's feeling. He was pissed off when he wrote this song directed at his ex-bandmate Paul. Each line is a dig at McCartney in a very specific way.

The story goes like this - JL was angry at Paul because Paul had written the song "Too Many People" which he later admitted did in fact include digs at JL. "How Do You Sleep?" was JL's retaliation. I find it very interesting that even George Harrison had jumped on the JL bandwagon and played lead slide guitar on this track. Did he also have some hard feelings against Paul?

If you listen to the song line by line you can pick out the obvious digs at Paul, especially if you are a Beatles fan:

• So Sgt. Pepper took you by surprise - John refers to the Beatles hit album that from what I read Paul didn't think was going to do well but ended up being one of their biggest albums
• Those freaks was right when they said you was dead - John refers to the whole 'Paul is dead' conspiracy
• The only thing you done was yesterday, and since you've gone you're just another day - John is calling Paul out for not having done anything good since his hit "Yesterday". And putting down Paul's first solo single "Another Day". Pretty much saying all his good songs were behind him
• The sound you make is muzak to my ears - Having your music called muzak is never a good thing, that's like saying it's elevator music
• Apparently when the Imagine album was originally released it came with a postcard of John holding up the ears of a large pig. This was directly making fun of Paul's album Ram where he is holding up a set of Ram horns. On the back of the Ram album there is also a picture of two beetles 'screwing', this is supposedly a 'screw you' to John - from one Beatle to another.

Paul and John later reconciled, but the music was already out there. And forever we will have this insight into their 'sibling' rivalry. Do you think JL went too far? Or can you appreciate the honesty and emotion in this song. He truly wrote from the depths of his heart and soul and what he was feeling at the time. He was hurt and angry, so he wrote about it. And to me, that's the best and most moving kind of music.....not muzak. 






So Sgt. Pepper took you by surprise,
You better see right thru that mother's eyes,
Those freaks was right when they said you was dead,
The one mistake you made was in your head,
How do you sleep?
Ah how do you sleep at night?
You live with straights who tell you you was king,
Jump when your momma tell you any thing,
The only thing you did was yesterday,
And since your gone you're just another day,
How do you sleep?
Ah how do you sleep at night?
A pretty face may last a year or two,
But pretty soon they'll see what you can do,
The sound you make is muzak to my ears,
You must have learnt something all those years,
How do you Sleep?
Ah how do you sleep at night?

Defense of Marriage...What exactly do you think you are defending?

Can someone please explain to me what sexual preference has to do with someones ability to do their job or be a good parent? Why is this even an issue? I mean if someone has a foot fetish does that mean they can't be a great doctor? Why don't they have to declare they like licking toes? Why do we make a big deal that a politician or someone of 'power' is gay but yet we don't when a hairdresser is? 

And what is all of this Defense of Marriage Act? Seriously? This is what we are paying our public figures to come up with during their time in office? Yet again politicians are ruling this country with their religious views. How can you tell me that two same sex parents are worse for a child's upbringing than an alcoholic parent who beats them or ignores them, just because of their sexual preference? Or parents that commit adultery? Or how about heterosexual parents who choose their religion over their own children when their children do something that goes against what their religion says and they disown them. You mean to tell me your religion and something you read in a 'book' is more important to you than your own living, breathing, flesh and blood?

Let's say you had 2 kids and you knew you were dying. Would you honestly give your kids to someone you knew was abusive just because they were heterosexual and Christian (or whatever religion you might be) over a same sex couple who you knew would love your kids and raise them as if they were their own.  I would love to know why anyone wouldn't pick the loving home just because the couple was gay. You don't teach sexual preference, it's just in us.

If people are so worried about the 'sanctity of marriage' then why don't they take a look in the mirror and work on the bigger problems with marriage, like adultery and abuse, then worry about two people that love each other that happen to be the same sex. 

Get a clue people and stop being so ignorant and blind to the real issues. Stop using gay marriage as an excuse and a platform for something that is completely irrelevant to the real problems in our country.

WWJLD Wednesday.....Simple

JL would sing, pure and simple. If he were here today, that's all I would want from him. It saddens me he was murdered 5 months after I was born so I never got the opportunity to hear him sing in person. There are so many artists and influential people that died in their prime. I can only imagine the things JL would be singing about today. I listen to his music almost everyday and each time I still feel his passion and emotions come through on each song he's ever done. In his solo years, JL revealed even more of the pain and happiness he felt all his life in his music. It was beautiful and sad all at the same time.

If he were here today he'd sing.

WWJLD Wednesday....Give Me Some Truth

Something happened today that made me really want to listen to the song 'Gimme Some Truth'. I had a run in with a 'Narrow Minded Hypocrite'. Instead of actually reading my last blog post about legalizing marijuana (http://mannalynnawakened.blogspot.com/2011/07/take-toke-tuesday-anyone-legalize-it.html) and trying to understand my points and point of view, they just posted this - "So two wrongs make a right by the writer's standard?"
No, two wrongs don't make a right, and if you took the time to open you narrow mind you would understand what I was saying. The first verse of this song is perfect for this type of person:
I'm sick and tired of hearing things
From uptight, short sighted
Narrow-minded hypocritics

I just want some truth! Stop regurgitating what other closed minded people say. Use your own brain and your own voice. Don't be afraid of someone not liking your opinion, it's one of the only things we all have that is ours and ours alone. That's one of the reasons I started this blog - to voice my opinion. I have to listen to so many "tight-lipped, condescending, Mama's little chauvinists", why shouldn't they have to listen to my opinion. And just because you can parrot what other people say or what it says in the bible or some other book, that doesn't make you smarter than me. Intelligence is based off being able to actually use your brain for intelligent thoughts, not just repeating what you've heard or read. Try it sometime, it's wonderful!

JL was about listening to others and having a debate while respecting others opinions. Watch this interview with Al Capp during their 'Bed-In for Peace' protest. The cartoonist doesn't even want to listen to JL. He just wants to get his jabs in at JL and Yoko. He's incredibly rude and doesn't have any good information to back up what he is attacking them about. I mean how can you attack someone for having a protest for peace? People are so cynical they accused JL and Yoko of doing this purely for their own publicity. Well then good, let them get some publicity while promoting peace at the same time. Point is, listen to what the other person is saying instead of just throwing out word vomit. Think for yourself!











I'm sick and tired of hearing things
From uptight, short sighted
Narrow-minded hypocritics
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth

I've had enough of reading things
By neurotic, psychotic
Pig headed politicians
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth

No short-haired, yellow-bellied
Son of Tricky Dick is gonna Mother Hubbard
Soft soap me with just a pocketful of soap
It's money for dope, money for rope

No short-haired, yellow-bellied
Son of Tricky Dick is gonna Mother Hubbard
Soft soap me with just a pocketful of soap
It's money for dope, money for rope

I'm sick to death of seeing things
From tight-lipped, condescending
Mama's little chauvinists
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth now

I've had enough of watching scenes
Of schizophrenic, ego-centric
Paranoiac, prima donnas
All I want is the truth now, now
Just gimme some truth

No short-haired, yellow-bellied
Son of Tricky Dick is gonna Mother Hubbard
Soft soap me with just a pocketful of soap
It's money for dope, money for rope

Ah, I'm sick to death of hearing things
From uptight, short-sighted
Narrow-minded hypocrites
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth now

I've had enough of reading things
By neurotic, psychotic
Pig-headed politicians
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth now

All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth now
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
All I want is the truth

Take a Toke Tuesday? Anyone?? Legalize it!

In the wise words of Mr. Mackey from South Park - Drugs are bad, mkay?





 What I want to know though is why is marijuana illegal, but smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol is not. I understand the whole prohibition thing didn't work back in the 1920's, so I'm not saying to try that again, but think about what drinking does to people - how many deaths a year are attributable to drinking and driving? How many bar fights are there? How much domestic violence and depression is caused by drinking? And then there are cigarettes. Now cigarettes I really just don't get. I know everyone has heard all the horrible things they put into cigarettes, but people still continue to smoke them! Well as a reminder, here are just a few of the ingredients found in cigarettes:

• Acetone – found in nail polish remover
• Acetic Acid –  an ingredient in hair dye
• Ammonia – a common household cleaner
• Arsenic – used in rat poison
• Benzene – found in rubber cement
• Butane – used in lighter fluid
• Cadmium – active component in battery acid
• Carbon Monoxide – released in car exhaust fumes
• Formaldehyde – embalming fluid
• Hexamine – found in barbecue lighter fluid
• Lead – used in batteries
• Napthalene – an ingredient in moth balls
• Methanol – a main component in rocket fuel
• Nicotine – used as insecticide
• Tar – material for paving roads
• Toluene - used to manufacture paint

Mmmmm, pass me one of those cigarettes so I can suck some Formaldehyde and Nail Polish Remover into my system....mmmm mmm good!! Yeah, I think I'll pass. But these two items are LEGAL. Now let's look at marijuana - There is no medical evidence that shows high-potency marijuana is more harmful than low-potency marijuana. Marijuana is literally one of the least toxic substances known. (http://legalizationofmarijuana.com/marijuana-facts.html). The chance of getting cancer from smoking marijuana is miniscule. And studies link marijuana as less habit forming than caffeine.  

How many people do you know that have gotten high and then got into a domestic disturbance? Bar fight? Got loud and crazy at a party? Anyone? No, probably not so much. Except for maybe if you took away their munchies, that might piss them off. But in reality they would probably just shrug their shoulders and go back to toking. Point is, it isn't a violent drug, it isn't an addictive drug, it isn't  filled with all sorts of horrible chemicals (again FORMALDEHYDE!), it's a natural plant that I believe was used in many rituals way back when. 

If our government spent more time going after real criminals and actually using the man power involved in the 'War against Drugs' maybe we could do some real good and get people off the streets, get healthcare for everyone, and focus on the real issues in our country today. Whether or not some one is lighting up a fatty and chilling in their own home, isn't a worry to me. It's things more like - if my dad loses his current health care he will be taken off the lung transplant list because he doesn't have the money to pay for that type of surgery....and he will most likely die. And this type of thing happens daily. People who can't afford health care are being denied the help they need and they are dying. Why isn't this a major concern for our government (ok, this will be another blog I guess). Which also goes back to my first point - sorry Dad, but I have to use you as an example - he smoked cigarettes pretty much his entire life. Yes, he had some other breathing issues like asthma, but he smoked, and now he needs two new lungs. This is reason enough for me not to smoke cigarettes. 

Also, as a person who has the beginning of glaucoma (at 30!), I like to have my options open for treatment. If marijuana helps someone who is sick, whether it's glaucoma, cancer, anything, then why would you want to deny them something that makes them feel better? I've heard so many people that have to undergo chemo say that it really does help them deal with everything they are going through. Why deny them that?

LEGALIZE IT!  

Randomness......G 'n R Edition

Sitting here on a long holiday weekend listening to some random Guns 'n Roses. Just thinking about how much more G 'n R could have done if Axl Rose wasn't such a douche. They were really at the height of their success and could have gone so much further if Axl didn't go off the self indulgent deep end. And even after all these years I still feel the little spark of excitement when I hear Axl is coming back with a new album and tour with his 'new and improved' Guns 'n Roses! And then I usually hear about the very first gig where he flips out about something stupid like having blue m&m's in his dish or a heckling fan and storms off stage like a prima donna. And that little spark I felt for just a moment dies out quickly, as I knew it would. If only Axl could play nice and not be so self absorbed. He could have a cool reality show or something. I mean even Bret Michaels somehow became relevant again by doing a reality show....ahhh Rock of Love - we had some good times, good times.
Point is smarten up Axl and make a comeback, except this time leave the bad, fake corn rows at home.

WWJLD Wednesday...Instant Karma

We all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun! I love this song on so many levels. When you first start listening to this song it sounds as if JL is being a little pessimistic and really warning you to watch your step - Instant Karma's gonna get you! It reminds you to wake up and realize the things you are doing and the things you are taking for granted - What in the world you thinking of, laughing in the face of love? Perhaps one of my favorite lines in the whole song is - Better get yourself together darlin', join the human race. If we all just took a moment and remembered we are all part of the human race and forgot about colors, countries, race, sexual preference, maybe we might be a little more compassionate with each other, a little more understanding.

After what seems like a little scolding from JL though, he breaks out the positive - We all shine on! We are all in this together, lets act that way. Better recognize your brothers everyone you meet, why in the world are we here, surely not to live in pain and fear. 

To me JL's music isn't just another song. His lyrics are his emotions, his beliefs, his thoughts, his fears. Our fears. I hope if you never have before, that you take a moment, enjoy the video and follow along with the lyrics. They really say something. And next time think twice, or Instant Karma might just get you. 

Instant Karma's gonna get you,

Gonna knock you right on the head,

You better get yourself together,

Pretty soon you're gonna be dead,

What in the world you thinking of,

Laughing in the face of love,

What on earth you tryin' to do,

It's up to you, yeah you.

Instant Karma's gonna get you,

Gonna look you right in the face,

Better get yourself together darlin',

Join the human race,

How in the world you gonna see,

Laughin' at fools like me,

Who on earth d'you think you are,

A super star,

Well, right you are.

Well we all shine on,

Like the moon and the stars and the sun,

Well we all shine on,

Ev'ryone come on.

Instant Karma's gonna get you,

Gonna knock you off your feet,

Better recognize your brothers,

Ev'ryone you meet,

Why in the world are we here,

Surely not to live in pain and fear,

Why on earth are you there,

When you're ev'rywhere,

Come and get your share.

Well we all shine on,

Like the moon and the stars and the sun,

Yeah we all shine on,

Come on and on and on on on,

Yeah yeah, alright, uh huh, ah-.

Well we all shine on,

Like the moon and the stars and the sun,

Yeah we all shine on,

On and on and on on and on.

Well we all shine on,

Like the moon and the stars and the sun.

Well we all shine on,

Like the moon and the stars and the sun.

Well we all shine on,

Like the moon and the stars and the sun.

Yeah we all shine on,

Like the moon and the stars and the sun.

Opinions.....Voice them already

So I've been watching The Voice. And I have to say there are some things I really like about it and some things I think can be improved (yes, I have a blog now, so I get to be a critic!). One thing that I thought they had made a great decision on, and I've been hoping Idol will do for years, is to have the judges have a part in the vote. I have to be honest that when it comes to the Idol winners over the last few years, I have one word - BORING! So obviously America, I'm sorry, but you get it wrong and apparently most Americans don't have much of a personality themselves, just look at the last 4 winners at least. As Simon would say - I'm sorry, but it's true.

Anyways, The Voice decided to give the judges a vote in last weeks round. I was psyched. Finally, not only does America have a vote, but a professional artist gets to put in their two cents and help decide this thing. Then they revealed their votes. Three out of four judges severely disappointed me. Guess what they gave....50 points to contestant #1 and 50 points to contestant #2. Really? What a let down. The only saving grace was Adam Levine when giving 65% and 35%. And he was honest about his reason! Whether you liked the young Casey better than the more experienced Javier, it doesn't matter. Adam's reasoning was the exact reasoning it should have been - Casey is 18 and with her talent can always come back and will have a future if she keeps trying. Javier is older and has had the door slammed in his face and the rug pulled out from under him so many times that Adam could relate. And instead of having 2 16 year olds in the finale like Idol ended up having (Durbin, Haille, Casey, and Paul were all robbed!), they are going to have more experienced artists.

I'm sorry, but no 16 year old should be thrown in the spotlight. Look at all of the teeny bopper artists through the years, and how many are actually ready for that and come out of it in one piece. A handful? And what happened to earning your place and working your way up? In this reality tv insta-star world we live in now, where did all the hard work go?? Reality tv stars will be for another time.

I really do want to give Adam Levine props for being honest and sticking to his guns and not taking the cop out approach like the other 3 judges. You aren't their parent, you don't have to lie to them and tell them you love all the kids equally. You are a judge/coach trying to win a contest. Have some balls and put up real scores instead of putting it all on America, who obviously can't be trusted - Scotty McCreery? Really America?

P!nk.....through the lens

I just read a letter posted by P!nk on her website regarding the choice they are making to publish pictures of their newborn daughter themselves and donate any money to fantastic charities - among them the Ronald McDonald House and Autism Speaks! She goes on to talk about how out of control the paparazzi is in our country, especially when it comes to children. I want to post a few excerpts from her letter because they are views I've been thinking for years. I know celebrities 'signed up for this', but really most didn't. This is a much newer phenomenon. Yes there has always been some type of paparazzi. But think about 30 years ago, it wasn't like this. Celebrities didn't have the need to get restraining orders or hide their children's faces when they go out in public. There was much more of an understanding between the photographers and celebrities. This kind of behavior never would have been accepted in the '50's or '60's. There was so much more respect.
I honestly could care less if I see another pic of a celebrity outside the forum they are famous for - a movie, a concert, etc. And the way they are going after the children of celebrities is honestly sickening. A child has the right to maintain their innocence and not have a hundred flashes going off in their face. They have the right to go to school without creepy old men camped out side their school with a long lens camera. I'd call that pedophilia personally. But because it's a celebrities kid, it's ok?? No it shouldn't be. But as a society we accept it? What is wrong with us? Are we all just complete voyeurs?  And look at poor Suri Cruise. She's a perfect example. That kid never looks happy! I mean NEVER! Would you be happy with cameras in your face every time you step out the door?
Anyways, on to a few excerpts of P!nks letter:

In EVERY other country that I recall, children's faces are blurred out in magazine photos. Why is USA the only country that continues to financially incentivize intrusive paparazzi behavior to capitalize on photos of babies, infants and children? Why is this acceptable to any of us? Why is this even legal? These are questions I ask myself as a new parent. Why are celebrities/public figures having to seek restraining orders to keep strange grown men with still and video cameras from sitting perched outside of their children's pre-schools and elementary schools, preying on little innocent kids? After all, if a stranger was sitting outside of a school taking photographs of random little girls and boys, wouldn't he be arrested? Or, at least in Philadelphia, he would have to face a more primal sort of recourse. But because it's the child of a celebrity, somehow it's okay? I'm just not sure what is wrong with us as a society, that we do more than tolerate this, but our appetite for it seems insatiable. We buy these pictures. We buy these magazines that publish these paparazzi pictures. WHERE DOES IT STOP?

Here's the bottom line: we don't want you to take our little girl's picture. We don't want you to one day follow our little girl home from school. We don't want our little girl's picture in a magazine or on a blog. If you take or publish her picture, it is against our wishes, and without our consent as parents, as people.

To anyone out there that buys a magazine, or goes onto a website to look at pictures of other people's children, may you at least think for a second about what you may inadvertently be supporting. We are so appreciative that people are interested in seeing our daughter. We WANT to share our joys with you, but as parents (and new parents), we should be able to govern these decisions, shouldn't we? And to be clear, I'm speaking directly to these "stolen" photographs--paparazzi photos.

So when you see our middle fingers up in all of our pictures, now you know the motivation. It's all we can do to stop images of a newborn baby from being printed without our consent. Can you imagine a world where they would blur out our middle finger to protect a "consumer" over blurring out an innocent child to protect their integrity and privacy?

I really appreciate her comment about this being a world where we will blur a middle finger, a stupid finger, to protect you from being offended, but we will not blur the faces of innocent children that should be protected. Nice America. That's where we are at. So like P!nk asks in her letter, please think twice about the magazines you buy and think about what you are supporting. I mean we all wan to see cute babies, but I'd like to see them in a more controlled way, not pics from crazy ass paps. If you would like to read all of P!nks letter you can find it here - http://www.pinkspage.com/us/news/important-note-pnk 

WWJLD Wednesday.....Imagine

Some of you might be looking at the title trying to figure out what 'WWJLD' stand for. Initially - What Would Jesus Do - right? But wait, what's that 'L' in there? As I mentioned before I'm not very religious, at least not one religion. So the one I look up to isn't Jesus...blasphemy, I know. I look up to John Lennon, hence the 'JL' in my WWJLD. While I think JL is probably known as the cocky and conceited Beatle, I can also tell by his music and by interviews, that he had a huge heart and was very sensitive. He has written and co-written arguably some of the best and most beautiful music in the world. Some is angry, some is fun, but some of his music is just him - raw and emotional to the core.

Therefore I am going to dedicate my Wednesdays to JL and his lyrics and imagine the possibilities.
Imagine the world as JL saw it when he wrote the song 'Imagine'. How can anyone say this isn't a beautiful thing to Imagine:

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today 

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace 

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one



As a side note - I do have to admit I took the idea for WWJLD Wednesdays from my friend's blog for her One Word Wednesdays...I thought what a brilliant idea! I have to do something like that! Thanks Meredith for the great idea!

Reading into the future....

So I covered a controversial topic in my last blog. Now its time for something a little more like fluff! I have been fighting the e-book thing for awhile. You know first there was the Kindle, then a few copy cats, now you can get e-books everywhere on the I-pods and Android systems. I finally caved and downloaded the Kindle application for my Droid phone. And guess what....I kind of like it.
I downloaded a couple of books for my Android Kindle from Amazon and started reading away. Don't get me wrong, I will always love my paper back books. I love nothing more when sitting on the beach then having a book in hand. And there's just something magical in the pages of a paper book. Some piece of history that I'm not ready to completely let go of yet.
I think about the differences in the generations from when I was a kid to now. I suppose every generation does. I mean, I'm only 30, but to look at the generations coming up now and to think they will never know what its like to grow up without a computer at the ready or a cell phone in hand. I don't want to think of the days when a generation doesn't know what its like to flip through the pages of an old book, maybe a used one with some notes scribbled in the corner from the previous owner and being able to relive that through the book. It's a little sad to me actually. But I guess that is bound to happen as technology advances more and more.
I do have to say though, it is nice to be able to read a few pages of a good book here and there when I have some random time to kill.
How do you feel about e-books and technology wiping away the past?

Separations....Church and State

I've decided to jump right into one of the most controversial topics in our country today - Same Sex Marriage. This is a subject that has people divided all across America. In fact it's even trending on Twitter right now - #PawsUpForMarriageEquality- by Lady Gaga. The reason that seems to be given the most against Same Sex Marriage is that it goes against the 'Holy Union' of marriage. Well guess what, that's a religious view. Other than religious views against Same Sex Marriage, I have yet to really hear a sound reason why it shouldn't be allowed. If some one wants to be married by a Justice of the Peace, then why shouldn't they be allowed to? I can see if a minister/priest isn't able to do it, they are bound by their religious views. But a politician who is voting on a Same Sex Marriage law shouldn't be.
One of the original reasons people came to this country was for religious freedom. It's one of the things our country was founded on - SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. But even after all these years our country is still being run by people who are doing so based off their own religious beliefs and not based off ethics of what is best for all people in America. I personally am not an overly religious person. While I do believe in HIM, I don't believe that any one religion has the story right 100%. How can they? Religions were written down and recorded by MAN. And MAN is known to embellish, exaggerate, and change events to support their own purpose. 
If you honestly put your own religious beliefs aside and really thought about it, besides the typical ignorant response of  - 'Cause it's gross' - what other reason would there be for two men or two women who love each other, just as much as a man and a woman love each other, not to be able to be joined in a legal union? Notice I didn't say holy union. I don't know enough about what it says about homosexuality in the bible, depends on who you ask. But either way, it shouldn't matter in politics. If politicians truly voted on what the people want, then Same Sex Marriage should be allowed. I've seen recent polls that over 50% of Americans polled now say they support it. And why shouldn't we? I've also seen recently that there are 19 states that allow restriction-free marriages between couples - meaning 1st cousins can get married! 19 states allow you to marry your first cousin regardless of the stigma in the US about that, but only 5 states allow Same Sex Marriage!! What?? Seriously - What?? This is just one more form of discrimination. Imagine if you were told you weren't allowed to marry the one person you loved more than anything and think about how that would make you feel. Everything else aside, how would you feel? So why should any of us be allowed to do that to someone else?
If you have reasons other than religious ones, then I'd love to hear them. I'd also love to hear more support for Same Sex Marriage. The more that is out there, maybe the more the politicians will actually start listening to us as the people they are supposed to represent.

Waking Up....

I've always lived a life that I think most people would be content with. But after many years, I started to realize it was a life I wasn't happy with, and being content, just wasn't good enough. I was closed off and I was living my life to make others happy and losing myself in the process. One day I just woke up and it hit me. These aren't the things I want. But then I had to ask myself - What the hell do I want then? I've always been a 'go with the flow' type of girl. Never wanting to rock the boat, I never really spoke up, I never asked the questions that were burning inside me. I was always too afraid. Afraid of being laughed at or made fun of. Or even afraid of hurting someone's feelings or angering someone. But I starting looking around me and seeing, I mean really seeing. Seeing things as they are. Seeing so many people for who they really are. And now the questions and answers that seem so obvious to me, just frustrate me. I wanted to explore more, more about myself and this existence. More about this 'plane' and others.
I decided to write this blog to share my opinion and views on topics that I feel passionate about. I'm not saying this is going to be a blog that is deep on every level. It's not, or not all the time anyways. Honestly I may blog about topics at one end of the 'fluff' spectrum - who I want to win on American Idol....to the opposite end - political issues, bullying, same sex marriage.
While my intent is not to directly offend anyone with this blog, please remember this is MY opinion. Please feel free to share your opinion, but do so with some intelligence and back up your views. Remember if you have the right to your opinion, I have the right to mine. Who knows, maybe if you have great points, you might just change my mind. I think we can all work on being a little more open minded.