The Queen of Katweby Tim Crothers was a reading find on a recent expedition to my public library. It’s one of those books that I’ve opened for some down time reading pleasure then spent the rest of the day reading until reaching the back cover. Tim Crothers traces the roots of several dots that come together to create Phiona Mutesi’s Ugandan world in Katwe. One very important “dot” is the life story of Robert Katende who brought chess to Katwe as part of a sports outreach program. Katende noticed that not every child wants to play soccer and decided to offer an alternative game, chess, for them. It is through Katende’s outreach efforts that Phiona discovers the inner mental and outter physical world of chess. Tim Crothers presents Katende’s personal history of survival, endurance and talent in a manner that show the incredible impact of one person on the lives of others. One young man’s life decisions reverberate throughout his world in remarkable and unexpected ways. Without Robert Katende there would be no chess for Phiona Mutesi and the other children of Katwe. In turn Phiona herself is having a positive impact on her personal world and the world of women in Uganda. Her story breaks out of the cycle of poverty and desperate struggle to survive for women and their children in places where living is far from easy. What’s at stake is creating a life based on choices rather than the need to eat and literally keep from drowning when it rains. When a slum is built on/in a swamp things get dicey for everyone when water falls from the sky.
Crothers’ writing style is quick and engaging as he works with words to bring to life the physical landscape of the Katwe slum and Uganda. He creates a context that the people who can afford to buy his book–and read it with ease–may have some trouble relating to. This is a world of harsh poverty where women do what they must to stay alive and education is a luxury requiring payment. Via Robert Katende’s story it’s clear that it’s not an easy world for boys and men either. At first one wonders where Crothers is going –how far back in time–and how will we ever get to the story of the girl who dreams of being a Chess Grandmaster. Well, I assure you that by the time you are learning more about Phiona it will be very clear why Crothers pulls the narrative strings he does. In order to fully appreciate Phiona’s ongoing life story the daily context of her world is required.
Another dot Crothers connects is that of the importance of education–like the Sport’s Outreach program–Tim Crothers’ takes a holistic approach to presenting Phiona’s and Robert Katende’s stories. Education plays a vital role in dealing with people in poverty. Hence, Crothers pulls in the story line dot of Andrew Popp all the way from Santa Barbara, California. How does the suicide of a talented young man have anything to with the life of girl living in the slums of Uganda? The scholarship memorial fund created by Andrew’s parents is what enables Phiona to attend school. Personally I think that’s a wonderful thing and an incredible part of Phiona’s story because education is essential to breaking the poverty cycle and the people in the slums know this fact.
So if you’re looking for a great human interest story, one which is far from finished, then get a hold of The Queen of Katwe. Consider the power of one piece on a chess board and the powerful impact one person can have on the life of another. Get some inspirartion. some ideas about teaching from Robert Katende, and perhaps some motivation. Perhaps most importantly get some HOPE.
This is a brief documentary on Fiona, a 15 year old Chess Prodigy from the slums of Kampala, Uganda who discovered Chess as a homeless child in search of food. I traveled to Uganda to cover this story through a non-profit organization called Silent Images. We were serving another non-profit called Sports Outreach, in which the chess coach discovered a special gift in Phiona for the game of Chess. I was accompanied by Tim Crothers of ESPN and David Johnson of Silent Images on the trip. Tim has now written a book on Phiona called “The Queen of Katwe” and Phiona has had recent top news stories on ESPN as well as CNN. Disney is currently planning to produce a movie on Phiona as well and I can’t wait to see Phiona’s dreams come true. She is a true underdog in every sense of the word and no person is more worthy of success in life than this special young woman.
It’s THAT time of year: The holy time for many in many different places and languages. It’s a time of year I personally find very troubling and unsettling in many ways. It is perhaps the time of year of the most discordance between reality and what may simply be a willing suspension of disbelief of reality. I’m not sure what to make of it even after all my time spent on this planet in this life. This is not a new state of questioning mental affairs for moi. It’s like a very well-worn pair of dress shoes that still are very uncomfortable. Much is done in love and caring in this time of year. Much is also done in violence and uncaring at this time and the rest of the year. There does not seem to be a balance as far as I can tell. Hence. I will not claim or praise that some things like peace, goodwill and love towards others exists when it clearly does not at large. A state of global affairs which is possibly due to lack of will. Or perhaps its lack is due to flawed human nature. I’m not sure. I do know there is not peace on earth, nor is there enough good will among men and women to make it so. I wish there was. Perhaps one day there will be. I wish it was already. Peace to you and yours.
namaste
ewa
*
*
*
“Ave Maria”, performed by Natalie Dessay, The London Symphony Orchestra.
A story inspired by a shoe-doll displayed in Childhood Museum, Edinburgh. This short film shows a touching story about a young girl and her father in a poverty, London, 1910s. Qian Shi’s BA Animation graduation film. The Best Student Film of BAF08. MX Award at TAF2010 (Tokyo Anime Fair 2010).
“The Museum of Childhood Edinburgh has plentiful collections of dolls, toys, and other remnants of youth. On a visit there 2005, I found an old doll made from a shoe. It was not very remarkable compared with the other beautiful dolls on display, but it is still very eye-catching. The introduction reads: Doll made from an old shoe that belonged to a poor child from the London slums in 1905.
I couldn’t help imagining the little girl who could barely afford a pair of shoes taking comfort in this lovely shoe-doll friend who accompanies her sweetest dreams. The shoe-doll became a symbol to me of beloved and colourful childhood.
I decided I wanted to tell a story of this little shoe-doll.”
I can film veg with the best of them when so inclined to be disinclined to venture forth into winter nights and days. With complete honesty I rationalize and justify what others call wasting time with the verified claim that film vegging is a tried and true form of relaxation, stress relief and internal down time for more than a few people. Marathon movie viewing can be a very effective detox tool after excessive interaction with the insanity of this wonky world. Some people go out and hang themselves out to dry with hard-drinking and drugs after a long hard work haul. Not everyone finds that appealing. Some of us prefer not to kill our brain cells in order to shed the world’s toxic waste. Why waste time dying when there is the artistry of films for getting through the messiness of living? With the right mix of movies and music you can clear out a great deal of negative energy. With the wrong mix the negative flow can create a drowning river of doom and gloom. Anyone who has engaged in movie marathon viewing knows exactly what I’m talking about. Oh and by marathon we don’t mean three or four films. I’m talking about that close as your body will allow full press twenty-four film flowing for one, two , three days with not much more done than engagement with the small or large screen. Well, this has not been a marathon, just a warming up. Yeah, I think a marathon is marching onto my horizon. Contemplating kicking it off with all of Fireflyleading to Serenity and then . . . well, this menu has not been fully planned just yet. I’m open to suggestions. Bring your BEST film recommendations. What are your “Go To” films?
The seeds for this marathon were sown by chance over the weekend by brand new and old films. The positive and negative elements have made for a disconcerting mix.
*
Awakenis available for free viewing on Hulu. It’s a very interesting treatment of getting beyond time, space, and place in order to connect with what’s truly important. Alex and Rachel may be some of the most intuitive and spiritual personages in a film set in the main stream culture against the background of a coffee-shop. This is one of those rare films during which it can be hard not to smile, smile, smile even through the story’s sad shadows. It’s a love story that defies the usual boundaries and presents a certain hopeful version of what’s possible when we awaken to a world of possibilities. Oh, and it’s full of hope and love.
This 1961 film crossed my path by pure accident while I was channel surfing at night. Burt Lancaster popped up on the small screen in a scene I’d never seen before, so I stopped long enough to try to identify the film and got hooked. It didn’t hurt that there were fewer and shorter commercial breaks than Hulu inserts into films online. The black and white film is a treat for those of us who are visual addicts. The acting is quite good. The topic and script are unsettling, disturbing and very relevant to contemporary issues. I’m not yet aware of where you can find this film in full online. The treatment of the gang mentality and racism provides a great deal of raw meat for discussion. What perhaps most disturbed me was the treatment of the Puerto Rican women, especially the slain boy’s sister. Though this film raises the topic of women turning to prostitution in order to support their family, the manner in which it is employed in the film’s courtroom context raises a host of other issues. As no trailer was on the tubes I selected this video, in part for its textual commentary.
The Young Savages
Joe Barry [Note: JB has provided some intriguing notes on YouTube regarding this film. the comments for this video may also be of some interest.]
Tomorrow is Forever came on directly after The Young Savages. The 1946 treat of another black and white film reeled me in as much as Orson Welles and Claudette Colbert. That’s a lot of good stuff right? This is story of love lost and other love found. But it’s also a film about dishonesty, lies and deception–all done with the best of intentions. Yeah, let’s skip and trip our way to hell directly. I could argue that the closing scene reflects that with notion with the partly burned letter resting on the hearth in front of the fireplace. I’m sure plenty of people would agree with John’s choices, but I refuse to buy that all for your own good bullshit. Usually that comes back to bite someone in the ass when they least expect it–and gangrene often sets in. Oh yeah, let’s all go to war and send our sons there too. Even after we pay some damn high prices. That gleefully willing idealistic cannon fodder theme does NOT work for me, but it might for others. Still, it’s worth viewing if you can find it.
I found Sweet Land, 2005, thanks to Bear sharing clips of music and a delightful pie eating scene. It’s a lovely love story about a German mail order bride, Elizabeth Reaser, coming to Norwegian community in America in 1920. It deals with the ethnic bigotry that has nothing to do with the color of a person’s skin but with politics, language, religion and culture. Oh my, if you don’t speak English–but German, Irish, Polish or Italian you can get in big trouble in the wrong places–even if you’re a beautiful young woman willing to work hard. This is a quiet powder keg of a film which subtly takes on serious issues about human nature, greed, intolerance, values and how “business and farming don’t mix.” Olaf, Tim Guinee, is a man with a certain depth, integrity, and strength seldom found in modern fellows. He doesn’t say much, buy when he does, it counts big time. The tenacity and determination of the couple, Olaf and Inge, as they bring in a harvest by hand and by themselves when they defy the dictates of the local priest and continue living and working the sweet land together offers lessons in transcendence and living in a state of grace. You can find the film in full on YouTube.
Okay, I saw this via a small group outing. Plenty of great scenery, lots of action and lots of leading up to the third part of the trilogy. Smaug is a great dragon. It’s not a great film, but it delivers enough to satisfy fans awaiting the final part.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
~
Ed Sheeran’s I See Fireaccompanies the closing credits of The Hobbitand crediting Sheeran is presented up front. I don’t see how this could hurt Sheeran’s musical ambitions. His own songs are solid. His covers of others’ songs, such as Dylan’s Masters of War reveal the strength of his ability to breath new life into the creative work of others and make it distinctly his own. So hats off to Peter Jackson for giving this young fellow a global spotlight. I hope to hear more and more of Sheeran over the long haul. It’s easy to find Sheeran’s music live and via album’s on YouTube.
So, what would your movie marathon menu line consist of if you were settling in for long weekend, or week, of round the clock films? Yeah, I really want to know because I’m gearing up and I’m hunting fresh film food for simmering in my brain-pan. Indie and foreign films are very welcome to this film feasting. Quirky is generally good. Fun is good. Thoughtful and insightful is very good. Action is not snubbed as long as it’s not mindless.
Music Theme for December 13. Yes, that’s a Friday. I say we defy Friday the 13th with Love.
Inclined to offer more than music? Please feel free to incorporate whatever trips your love trap. No, it is not my intention to confine Loveto only the romantic variety. Though you certainly may do so. Explore however you are so inclined. Feel free to mix media–music and film videos, poetry, prose, visual art. Incorporate your own work and the works of others. If you will, think of this as an online Love Letter drawing upon and going in any and all directions that inspire you.
In case you’re in the dark about Donne. He was not a one poem hit wonder. The man delivered the poetic goods time and time again. He had The Right Stuff from start to finish. Yeah, I think he’s a damn cool poet even though he’s been dead for a few centuries.
*
Note:
On his way to a promising career, John Donne became a Member of Parliament in 1601. That same year, he married 16-year-old Anne More, the niece of Sir Egerton. Both Lord Egerton and Anne’s father, George More, strongly disapproved of the marriage, and, as punishment, More did not provide a dowry. Lord Egerton fired Donne and had him imprisoned for a short time. The eight years following Donne’s release would be a struggle for the married couple until Anne’s father finally paid her dowry.
So who is ready to lift some spirits with Love during this season of holy days ancient, current and future? Everyone is invited to share, even if it’s only a single piece that matters very much to you. Share in the comments, post on your blog and drop a link here so that we’re all connected. Small or large makes no matter. Let’s celebrate Love for a few glorious moments together.
Ahhh this Music Theme selection process was nearly derailed twice. First by the film Sunshine and then by the ever delightful Doctor Who. Yep, I almost gave up all control and followed my slacker heart straight to full video view-ville. Making blog posts is a funny job and someone has got to do this one–moi.
*
Doctor Who 42 [As in 42 minutes to keep a spaceship from going straight into the center of the sun.]~ scene 14. There were several scenes I could have posted with exciting music, but I decided on this one because of what The Doctor learns and the rest of us ought to consider every time we take that great big sun in the sky for granted.
When There Is No Sun ~ Sun Ra ~ And if there’s no sun what do you do? Tough to grow your veggies for sure. Nothing for all those methane producing cattle to chew on either.
Sunshine~ music by John Murphy ~ Adagio in D minor~ Surface of the Sun ~Sunshine is a film about an effort to save the sun in order to save life on Earth.
*
Sunshine end scene ~
*
Arrow To The Sun~ book by Gerald McDermott ~musicby Thomas Wagner. A very interesting children’s book. My, my the sun does get around.
Okay, well, after a technical ‘fail’ this post is back–almost–minus one until found again. Definitely without all my chatter about it –for the moment.
Yes, this is the Ascent for Fire. I guess the first posting effort ascended somewhere other than ‘here.’
Now, interesting side notes to this post that doesn’t want to stay grounded:–I selected these pieces first. But my commentary for those other selections in that other post was completed first. Not sure I want to start reading anything into any of this, but it might be telling–or not.
For now.
*
Mythical conceptualization of Fire.
Grandmother Spider Steals Fire ~~ Choctaw Creation Story
Fantasy Film Conceptualization of Fire. The Fire of creation in producing art and music. Not to mention the fact that Ed Sheeran has FIRE red hair. Yeah, he’s a Fire-Childfor sure.
Ed Sheeran ~ I See Fire ~The Hobbit, Desolation of Smaug
Lyrics
Serpent of Fire
Lyrics by Ricky Asmodeous and Raven Lythrum
Composed by Raven Lythrum
Your presence magnifies
A journey that shall not repeat
Part of it is you, and all of it is me
A potent energy, that set’s my wings free
I fly without thinking, you’ve set me free
Light all the embers
Set there a fire
Deep in my heart lies my soul’s desire
Drown me in water
My soul has grown dire
deep in my heart lies my soul’s desire
Is the serpent of fire
As I calm my mind I ascend
Burning on without an end
The seals have been torn away
I feel the heat and consummate
Through serpents eyes I rise, ignoring outside lies
Turning the led to gold, breaking the enemies hold
Light all the embers
Set there a fire
Deep in my heart lies my soul’s desire
Drown me in water
My soul has grown dire
deep in my heart lies my soul’s desire
Is the serpent of fire
The serpent shall blend and will mend
My mind as my soul ascends
The lies have been cleared from my path
So don’t run away from the past
Light all the embers
Set there a fire
Deep in my heart lies my soul’s desire
Drown me in water
My soul has grown dire
deep in my heart lies my soul’s desire
Is the serpent of fire
*
Getting up close and very personal dancing with fire.
http://www.spiralcircusarts.com ::: Spiral performing acrobatics, fire wand, single, and double fire hoops at the European Juggling Convention’s Fire Gala Show on August 4, 2012, held in the lovely castle plaza in Lublin, Poland.
*
Concrete Conceptualization of Fire.
Adele~ Set Fire to the Rain ~Fire on ice? Why not? Let’s mix our elements why don’t we? Some water, some hot skating on ice and a passionate song. Oh this fire and rain does not flow according that by Mr. Jimmy Taylor.
Two flames dance into the night One steps to the left, the other leaps right Winds of change provide food for flight No way of knowing what sparks may ignite
Separating… merging… as if on cue Dressed in golds and red-hot blues Tempestuous, breath-taking, move after move No plan, no rehearsal… It’s die or do
Each step, each flame, fueled by desire She builds him up, he lifts her higher Mesmerized gazes wonder what will transpire Will they simply burn out? or spread like wildfire?
[For some reason this is not appearing as it does at SMJ’s blogcasa. but I think this physical shape is very interesting. For the original form as intended by the poet herself look here—>> http://samanthamariahjane.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/flame-dance/ ]
*
Conceptualization of the Fire of love.
June Carter Cash ~ Ring of Fire
Most people associate this song with Johnny Cash. I connect it with June because it is her creation. Interesting how the singer goes ‘down’ while the flames go ‘higher’.
*
Conceptualization of Concrete Fire literally in the hole— as in the coal mine along with inspiration, protest against exploitation, fire inside and out and deep in the ground.
Time for true confessions: the reason I picked this “Flash Mob” musical theme is because I got so carried away with willowdot21’s “All Things Travel” theme that I could not resist continuing travelling around the world. Blame the choice of Flash Mobs all on the “Ode to Joy” video which I’ve included here because it was the piece that sent me searching for mobs in places of transportation. Yes, you can travel the world via Flash Mobs everywhere. Some of them will even moon you. Yes, indeed, five guys and a fountain where it’s illegal to wade…yeah, I wonder if Bear, Willowdot21 or Johnny have selected that piece of young guy fun? What I enjoy most about these Mobs are the expressions on those watching and those performing.
Enjoy, be careful with the mob from Moscow. Damn, I wonder what sort of a riot one hot guy with a boombox can incite if he were inclined to do so? LOL.
Imagine all the great music, fun and dancing everyone could be enjoying every day around the world if all the warmongering would just cease and desist. As Tracy Chapman sings: This could be heaven here on Earth.
~
Willowdot21, Bollywood selections are for you. 🙂
_
All text hereafter is from the youtube uploaders for each video. Thank you.
Watch the Polish cast of LES MISÉRABLES perform a flash-mob version of One Day More in Warsaw!Having just released the Original Cast Album in Polish, the entire cast descended on Warsaw’s most popular shopping center, Zlote Tarasy (Golden Terraces), located 5 minutes from the Musical Theatre ROMA on April 15th 2011.For information on the theatre and to book tickets, click below:- http://teatrroma.pl/
Flash Mob: Gypsy Song from Carmen
One World Symphony Sung Jin Hong, Artistic Director & Conductor Anna Yelizarova, Carmen Jane Hoffman, Frasquita Adrienne Metzinger, Mercedes One World Symphony Vocal Artists
September 17, 2012 Whole Foods, Columbus Circle, New York City http://www.oneworldsymphony.org
One World Symphony was invited to perform its first flash mob at Whole Foods in Time Warner Building near Lincoln Center on September 17. With less than two days of preparation, thirty-five musicians including vocalists and instrumentalists gave the shoppers a surprise treat jamming selections from One World Symphony’s 12th season opener Carmen. As always, One World Symphony shared their passion with all live and unplugged musicians with instruments without any use of pre-recorded music.
Videographer: Nick Johnson
*
Flash mob flashwaltz classical- 40 students Perform Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers
The surprise concert was part of Good Deeds Day, an annual event that originated in Israel in 2007 and now takes place in over 50 countries worldwide.Forty students from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance took a classical approach to the flashmob as they flashwaltzed Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers at the new Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower in Jerusalem. Physicians, patients and everyone who passed by joined in the fun.On this day volunteers reach out to the less fortunate and the vulnerable.The Academy students enjoyed the day so much that they have decided to schedule regular concerts at the hospital.Hadassah Medical Organization treats over one million patients annually, without regard to race, religion or national origin.
Parece que cuando se habla de un flashmob este tiene que ser un baile “improvisado” en una estación de tren, por lo que habrás visto este esquema una y otra vez, sin ninguna originalidad. Sin embargo aún se pueden hacer flashmobs preciosos y llamativos como este de la Filarmónica de Copenhague (Sjællands Symfoniorkester) en la Estación Central de la capital danesa, donde sorprendieron a todo el mundo con esta interpretación del Bolero de Ravel.
Encore:
Musical Flashmob on Metro Bilbao by an orchestra from the Basque
Flashmob de la Orquesta Sinfónica de Bilbao BOS en el metro de Bilbao durante un viajeThe musicians from BOS (Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa) play Maurice Ravel Bolero on the Bilbao’s underground. Flash Mob / Los músicos de la Orquesta Sinfónica de Bilbao tocan el bolero de Ravel en directo en el metro de Bilbao (Euskadi / País Vasco)
*
Fanfare For The Common Man performed by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in Terminal 2, Dublin Airport
Passengers in Dublin airport’s Terminal 2 got a pleasant surprise on Sunday as the RTÉ Concert Orchestra performed ‘Fanfare For The Common Man’ by Aaron Copland.The Orchestra, conducted by David Brophy, were there to kick off RTÉ Big Music Week 2012.
*
Flashmob Bogotá C.C Gran Estacion (estudiantes de Medicina Unal)
Estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia.. Congelados al no tener un Hospital universitario propio donde hacer sus practicas..
HSJD http://youtu.be/475mrWrmNW0
Si podemos! http://youtu.be/IrNZLdZDu7o
*
ATS® Flash Mob WORLD WIDE 2012: 3 Tribes, Munich, Bavaria,
One Dance – One Song – One World UnitedTribes “Andra Colleen”, “Aradia” and “ialo benii” feat. very special guest Salem Whalen of Hodge Podge Tribal rocked the Munich central station as part of the ATS® Flashmob WORLD WIDE on October, 13th 2012 , 9 o´clock in the evening (German time).
Primer Flashmob en honor a Bollywood, organizado por la unión de Difusores de Cine Indio en el Perú (ex AADCIP).
** Visítanos en ► http://www.facebook.com/DifusoresDelCineIndioPeru y entérate de nuestros próximos eventos.
*
Flashmob Flash Mob – Ode an die Freude ( Ode to Joy ) Beethoven Symphony No.9 classical music
A welcome home to remember in one the most crowded airports of the world, Heathrow Terminal 5
International arrivals / It’s so good to be back home !
Country: UK
Brand: T-Mobile
Year: 2010
Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi (London)
More commercials : http://www.youtube.com/CulturePub .. All rights reserved. For all inquiries, please mail to culturepub@wizdeo.com
**
Denver, Colorado, USA Denver Airport Holiday Flash Mob
Holiday travelers at Denver International Airport (DIA) were surprised with an entertaining treat when a flash mob broke out in Jeppesen Terminal on November 22nd, 2011. Approximately 100 dancers from Community-Minded Dance (cmDance) performed a Lindy Hop to a medley of Swing classics in the airport’s Great Hall in Denver, Colorado. Video by Rich Clarkson & Assoc.Coordinated by cmDance
Choreography by Ceth Stifel, Heather Ballew, Joseph DeMers, & Lark Mervine
cmDance creates world-class educational dance and music experiences. The non-profit organization’s programs bring the music and dance of the Americas to Colorado schools and audiences, including Lindy Hop, Argentine Tango, Jazz, and other American Vintage and folkloric dances. For more information, visit http://www.cmdance.orgOrganized by DIA’s Art and Culture Program
Today’s dance performance was presented by the airport’s Art and Culture Program. DIA is home to a world-class
collection of public art, funded by the City and County of Denver’s “one percent for art” requirement for public facilities. In addition to its renowned permanent art collection, DIA curates temporary exhibitions, collaborating with museums, cultural institutions and arts organizations to present the highest quality two- and three-dimensional work. For more information on DIA’s public art program and its temporary exhibitions, visit http://www.flydenver.com/art.Produced by Rich Clarkson & Associates
RCA is a multi-disciplinary creative agency, based around the core of fine visual storytelling. Beyond our strengths in original photography and video production, our activities range from publishing high quality photographic books to major exhibition design to digital asset managment and project management in the latest rich media applications. For more information, visit http://www.richclarkson.com
It’s 14, October, 2013. Some people are celebrating what might be called a myth or a lie of epic proportions about a fellow named Christopher Columbus. Shall we discuss irony? Manifest Destiny? Greed? The profit motive? Slavery? Genocide? Rape? Murder? Torture? Yeah, the man did it all according to his own words and those of his companions. So what exactly is being celebrated? I’m at a loss–unless it’s an extremely sanitized delusional story, because the truth would scare the pants off all the little children if it were told in classrooms. Oh but excuse me, schools are not supposed to be about truth or reality. Nor are books. Certainly not poetry. so what. Here’s some historical truth, some current ugly reality and some poetry that deals with both.
was told by those old ones
that every song has a special time and a place where its sang
this is our song
and this our time
they used to say the only good indian is a dead indian
i must be a no good at being indian
cuz I feel alive and kicking
we are the bastard reject children of manifest destiny
the offspring of fornicating aimsters
raised by our grandparents who told us
not to confuse being warriors with gangsters
the edward curtis groupies get jazzed by anyone fitting the bill
and America gets jazzed by every Bury My Heart at Walmart film
here i stand before you
this crowd of nations
this life of sanctions
an awkward patience
like five hundred BIA buildings vs. a fathers’ unfiltered hate
right next to the IHS building with a two and a half week wait.
a cinderblock battlefield where few are left standing
and the people its failing, its’ marginalized estate.
i am armed to the teeth with words from the ivory tower
and those good indians told me its borrowed power if…
if i talk loud enough
if i talk clear enough
that i would be heard
that for some talking is singing
that for some singing is praying
but i guess that depends on who is doing the talking
and i guess that depends on who is doing the listening
…so understand me in english,
you have been robbed of your tongues
the taproot of thought
in the middle of resisting
the language got caught
and she only shows her face during ceremony
like she’s ashamed of her scars
like what she has to say is never really heard. at all.
and the violence she knows is enough to never sing again
but i killed the cameraman and stripped him of his lense.
i photographed the body and asked him to forgive.
forgive me as i cut out your tongue
forgive me as i put you in this powdered wig
forgive me when i put your body in a museum
forgive me of all my sins
for not being a good indian
the balls of your forefathers will be traded for whiskey
to fuel the molotov cocktails to be tossed at your cities
and the breasts of your mothers severed and bloody
will be sold to the freak show for the revelers money
your children will witness their whole world collapse
as kidnapped siblings must erase names off maps
so forgive me of all my sins
for not being a good indian
i was taught better than that
i have more respect than that
there is no history book with my story
there is no newspaper to give me my glory
because no one has heard this language in years
cept kokopelli, dream catchers and a trail of beers
my voice is a small pox blanket
that spreads like fire on the prairie
infecting both fist and hatchet
in the spirit of fucking crazy
Lest you get the wrong idea with all this negative press, let’s end on a positive note from “all my relations”:
BREAKING: This morning Greenpeace France activists protested peacefully at Gazprom’s offices in the center of Paris, while their friends on the Arctic Sunrise are detained in Russia for peacefully protesting Gazprom’s reckless plans to drill in the fragile Arctic.
Russia is pressing charges against the peaceful activists that could land them in prison for 15 years. Is this political insanity at work? Power running amok for sure.
Hey folks, this post is the result of a brainstorm shared with bearspawprint. We’re both posting music connected to Space–as in “the final frontier”–actually I think the final frontier entails an exploration of interior space, but that’s not on the docket today. Except a little, yeah, it’s here too. Bearspawprint will also post her choices for Space today –>> http://bearspawprint.wordpress.com/ & here –>> http://bearspawprint.wordpress.com/music-themes-space/ .
You are cordially invited to explore all this SPACE to your ears’ content–or dispute. Please share your own favorite music connected to Space at will..
Namaste
Who? Why? Because it’s all the outer and inner journey through space and time! The ending is very important so don’t skip the best part. What will who come up with next?
Doctor Who ~ Music of the Spheres
upload by nanceoir
*
To go where no human has gone before–into dark, cold space and yet where do we always end up again and again? Dealing with the incomprehensible hearts of matters.
Star Trek Into Darkness music by Michael Giacchino
Star Trek travels in one direction while Babylon 5, well, it was/is Babylon 5. Over the years any science fiction fan has seen and heard any number of battles in space. What would any of these be like without powerful music? So take this for what its worth–dramatic images of a battle in space with solid strong music that brings the action to life–of all things. Imagine that.
Babylon 5 Epic Battle Montage
created and uploaded by RubberDuck3h 0:00–3:00 – “Black Blade” by Two Steps From Hell, from the album “Invincible”. 3:00– 4:04 – “Dawn of Destiny” by Troels Foelmann, from the Fired Earth Music album “Vulcano”. 4:04 – 5:07 – “Akkadian Empire” by Audiomachine, from the album “Chronicles” 5:07 – 6:16 – “Master of Shadows” by Two Steps From Hell, from the album “Invincible” 6:16 – 6:52 – “Rising Force Remix” by Sonic Symphony, from the album “Epica” 6:52 – 10:00 – “Starvation” by Thomas J Bergersen, from the album “Illusions”
Click KKFI logo to catch all it offers streaming online.
Nahko Bear
Amazon Watch
Peace Shanti Om
Click on the photo above to visit Amazon Watch.
Alice in Wonderland
pantry
Pavane
Breakfast Special(s)
For the very first post enter "Breakfast Special, #1" and/or scroll through older entries; second helping = Railroad Crossing; third helping, Close Shave; fourth helping, People? Really Now; fifth helping, Pussy No More; sixth helping, 'book ends'; seventh helping, Odds? What Odds?; eighth helping, Do You Dig Pink Flamingoes Dancing in the Snow and Blue Lights?; ninth helping, Old Reliable Jack; tenth helping, Snowing Deep Sleep; eleventh helping, Connecting; twelth helping, Equations; #13, The Most Important Meal of the Day; from then on enter into search box Breakfast Special and a number such as: #14, #15, #16 and so on.
For Kili 90.1 fm, Pine Ridge, SD, click the image below for The Voice of the Lakota Nation.
Native America Calling ~ Native Voice
Native America Calling on Native Voice
Copyright notice ~
Violating copyright births bad karma---imagine a mad hacker you'll never see coming--nor catch going. Respect = my work is my work and your work is your work.
Everything posted here is my work, copyrighted, unless otherwise noted. Comments aside. Om
Climate Denial Crock of the Week
Tree hugging on a practical level and more. All sorts of great tidbits from Mushroom homes to…well solar panels. Do not delay. Visit today.
Connie Dover
folk ballad singer of “Last Night by the River”
Coto 2
News Site–eg arrests of Mountaintop Removal Protestors
om mani padme hum jewel in the lotus wahupa qi prana universal life energy
47whitebuffalo's Blog 