Music feeds the soul

Music eliminates loneliness, heals a sad soul, gives power and strength to those who escape to its inner sanctum of reflection.  The words are poetry in harmony with musical notes.  Artistry to the ears as a painting is to the eyes.

Have a listen as you read on:

What a wonderful musical duet with Susan Boyle and her idol Elaine Paige.  What is magical is that I know more about Susan Boyle's transfor-mation from her first idol audition that astounded both the audience and judges greatly.

Dream a dream:  to be a professional singer.  I had loved this song for a long time, since I heard it from Les Miserables production in Calgary in the 1990s.

I can't say I heard the audition first hand because in Canada we didn't have Got Talent UK on the air waves.  But certainly, most of us, can recall the outstanding reaction that it gave to the world.  Played across all medias.

The lesson taught ::: Didn't this all teach us that looks are not necessarily an indication of talent?  It should have.  Watch the second video first then the one with her heroine Elaine Paige on the second. This performance taught us that dreams CAN come true ::: whatever the age, wherever one is nestled.

If you would like, you can watch The Susan Boyle Story on YouTube (60 minutes in length):

Susan Boyle was bullied, made fun of, and was considered slow.  She considered herself lonely, especially after her mother passed away.

A wallflower to be sure.   At the ripe age of 47, she became an inspiration and synonymous with courage :::  who would try to reach their dreams when most have ironed out their retirement path?

Even today, when I listen to the audition, I get chills.  When I'm in the mood to absorb music completely, tears will drip from the corner of my eyes.

To many, she championed that it doesn't matter how old you are or how small a village you hail from, you can reach your dreams.

She knew instinctively and honestly how people perceived her, yet her love of music :: shown magically by her own custom song:  "When I was a child".  Now that she had reached her true destiny, she is at peace.  Complete in her true gift.  The world in her hands ::: her turn to fly.

She may not have known the answers, she recognized when she felt free when she was who she was born to be.

::: _____________________________ :::

" The greatest glory in living

                 

                                         lies in never falling,

                                   but in rising every time we fall. "

                                        Nelson Mandela

::: ____________________________ :::

I listen to music when I'm sad, happy, social, and reflective.  It feeds my soul.  Most songs are musical tones applied to poetry.  

Back in my 20s when I broke up with a boy I liked, I would search song after song about break up, broken hearts then move on to rebirth, strength and power:  from the emotionally symbolic to transforming rock and roll that became the emblem of recovery.  

As unlikely a superstar there has ever been.  It makes me wonder:  what is my unfulfilled dream?  Writing full time, people who follow my blog, not to cause popularity but because words can help and heal wounds.  Do I have that ability?  

Time will tell.  After all, I'm soon to be a "10".  Do you know what that means?  Those born in the 1960s probably do:  it was a movie from the 1980s with Dudley Moore and his love interest Bo Derek, highly considered the equivalent of a "10" how we'd be rated on looks.

Once I turn 55 in April, I will finallybecome a member of the "10" club :::  5+5=10!  Minus the beaded braids.  Been there, scratched that, during tropical vacations where rum-filled coconut I shed all responsibility of being a daughter, wife, mom or careerialist

I constantly look forward and reach out to live the dream ::: be my destiny.  Accompanied by music to cheer me on and feed my soul.  Or set me straight and calm me down.

Today's (Sunday February 28, 2016) top lyrics and song (copied from Metro Lyrics ) with video link from YouTube: 

Rihanna featuring Drake

Work work work work work work
He said me haffi
Work work work work work work!
He see me do mi
Dirt dirt dirt dirt dirt dirt!
And so me put in work work work work work work!
When u ah guh
Learn learn learn learn learn learn
Mi nuh cyar if him
Hurt hurt hurt hurt hurting6

Dry! ...me a desert him
Nuh time to have you lurking
Him ah go act like him nuh like it
You know I dealt with you the nicest
Nuh body touch me you nuh righteous
Nuh badda, text me in a crisis
I believed all of ya dreams, adoration
You took my heart and my keys and my patience
You took my heart on my sleeve for decoration
You mistaken my love I brought for you for foundation
All that I wanted from you was to give me
Something that I never had
Something that you've never seen
Something that you've never been!
Mmmmm! but I wake up and act like nothing's wrong
Just get ready fi1

Work work work work work work
He said me haffi
Work work work work work work
He see me do mi
Dirt dirt dirt dirt dirt dirt
And so me put in
Work work work work work work

How Sean Penn is re-inventing himself

One can't help the past couple of days two headlines featuring Sean Penn, as an interview:  first with kingpin druglord and then squashed interview with ISIS Chief (as reported by The New Yorker):

ISIS Chief Abruptly Cancels Meeting 

with Sean Penn

BY ANDY BOROWITZ

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CREDITPHOTOGRAPH BY STEPHANE MAHE / REUTERS

HOLLYWOOD (The Borowitz Report)—Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the terror group known as ISIS, has cancelled a long awaited meeting with the actor Sean Penn, a spokesman for the group announced on Sunday.

The spokesman gave no reason for the abrupt cancellation, but said that al-Baghdadi no longer felt that meeting with Penn would be “prudent.”

A publicist for the film actor said that he was “disappointed” by the sudden termination of his appointment with the ISIS chief, and noted that Penn had gotten himself outfitted in brand new desert-camo attire in preparation for the meeting.

For his part, the ISIS spokesman said that al-Baghdadi hoped that Penn would harbor “no hard feelings” toward him, and emphasized that he remained an “enormous fan” of the actor.

“Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi loves all of Sean’s films, even that one he did with Madonna,” the spokesman said.

Sean Penn Under Fire for ‘Crazy’ El Chapo Interview

Sean Penn Interviews Mexican Drug Lord ‘El Chapo’ While Fugitive

“Why didn’t Sean Penn ask El Chapo how many real journalists his organization has killed?” a New Yorker reporter writes on Twitter

Sean Penn is taking heat on multiple fronts for his bombshell interview with Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

Rolling Stone published Penn’s interview on Saturday night, one day after Mexican authorities recaptured the Sinaloa cartel boss. In his article, Penn detailed traveling to Mexico with actress Kate del Castillo to sit-down with El Chapo, but not everyone was impressed.

“If one of these American actors who have benefited from the greatness of this country, who have made money from our free enterprise system, want to go fawn all over a criminal and a drug trafficker in their interviews, they have a Constitutional right to do it,” Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.” “I find it grotesque.”

Also Read: 7 Takeaways From Sean Penn's Rolling Stone Interview With El Chapo

During Penn’s interview, El Chapo talked about GOP frontrunner Donald Trump, who has described Mexican immigrants in the U.S. as “rapists” and “criminals.”

Trump appeared on NBC and Fox News on Sunday, but the conversations were taped and did not include his reaction to the article. However, White House chief of staff Denis McDonough did weigh in on the story.

“It poses a lot of very interesting questions both for him and for others involved in this-so-called interview, so we’ll see what happens on that – I’m not going to get ahead of it,” McDonough told CNN.

Also Read: Sean Penn, Kate del Castillo Sought for Questioning After 'El Chapo' Interview

The journalism world was much more critical of Penn and Rolling Stone.

Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron took aim at the Hollywood actor, by tweeting a link to an article that said real journalists who cover Mexican drug traffickers often end up dead.

New Yorker writer Ben Taub tweeted a similar response: “Why didn’t Sean Penn ask El Chapo how many real journalists his organization has killed?””

Also Read: El Chapo's Favorite Sean Penn Movies? Hollywood Weighs In

Meanwhile, New Yorker editor Nicholas Thompson called Penn’s story “crazy.”

“Every single sentence here is crazy in one way or another,” he tweeted.

Read below for a compilation of tweets.

Is Sean Penn's interview with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the next issue? https://t.co/zIJQo77ac3

— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) January 10, 2016

I still don't understand how Sean Penn, of all the possible writers, is who secured the only interview ever with El Chapo.

— deray mckesson (@deray) January 10, 2016

Every single sentence here is crazy in one way or another. https://t.co/hJdnrWZhIA pic.twitter.com/mjouhCX5e0

— Nicholas Thompson (@nxthompson) January 10, 2016

El Chapo contacts Sean Penn thru @katedelcastillo because he wants to make a movie????? Resulting in his subsequent arrest. #hollywooddreams

— Gabriel Salvador (@RealGSalvador) January 10, 2016

The pen is mightier than the sword. Unless it is Sean Penn's pen.

— John Lurie (@lurie_john) January 10, 2016

Sean Penn can’t write.

— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) January 10, 2016

I don’t think it was worth @RollingStone giving up editorial control to a murderer for Sean Penn’s diary entry and a short Q&A at the end.

— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) January 10, 2016

Why didn't Sean Penn ask El Chapo how many real journalists his organization has killed?

— Ben Taub (@bentaub91) January 10, 2016

Good moment to remember what happens to real journalists who cover Mexican drug traffickers https://t.co/xb7OASMTNe

— Marty Baron (@PostBaron) January 10, 2016

_________________________________________________________

Personally, I like how Sean is stepping out and recreating himself.  That is a healthy mode for survival in this topsy turvy world we live in where what matters can spin on a dime.  

I've enjoyed his ground breaking roles that have made us all go "WOW" at some point.  He appears to be anti-establishment.  He plays by his own rules, and makes them up as he goes along.

It takes courage to be true to oneself.  You have to develop a thick skin when you put yourself out there.  Controversy definitely sells.  However, my first reaction when I read about his meeting with El Chapo:  he's preparing for a role.  Why not?  Villains have been made into film since the beginning of the industry.

Now, I think Sean Penn is shedding Hollywood's skin and getting really comfortable in his own.  It is a great example for those trying to sort out their greater purpose.

If you're curious about something or someone, why not try to interview them?  If your career isn't going in the direction (or no direction) you want it to be, take a risk and just go for it.  It worked for Dennis Rodham meeting with basketball fan Kim Jong Un didn't it?  

Granted it was short lived.  Who are we to judge when so many would love a chance to have a chat with these unique villains of our day?  It sells ads, newspapers, magazines and television ratings.  So why not take a chapter out of media and make your own mark.  

Have a listen to this great Canadian group:  The Sheepdogs from Saskatchewan, an emerging favorite of mine:

Romancing the stoned

OK, so this is my first Blog of 2016.  Yayyyyyyy!!!  I mean, who can't feel optimistic?  Yesterday is behind us.  Except for our taxes, a year gone.  

Please listen to this music clip while we get started on this blog.  It will add to the mood and will match up with the words.

______________________ #bestofeverything ____________________

Hmmmmmm, can't say I have the devil inside.  Just a five day weekend.  There are times I can work and then I get this rash of days where I'm not working, I get only a FEW chores done I drift over to my computer.  Some days, it is just popping on to read what friends have posted on Facebook, or what's trending on Twitter, who personnally commented to respond to.  (Except the bombardment of Messages from mostly men -- Thank you Mark Zuckerberg for your blessings.  Yes, I did LIKE the story about you and you brand new baby girl.  

I'm a big fan of families -- getting married, buying a home, having some babies, entertaining friends, celebrating important events.  I've often said that in building your persona or personal brand on Social Media:  be as close to yourself as you can possibly, and if you're Canadian, then you are going to be considered one of the friendliest, easiest to interact and engage with.

The top articles that caught my eye this past few days have been:

Loyalty & Satisfaction Polls

Working Women in Canada Perceive Significant Glass Ceiling, Divide With Men on Salaries, Influence, Promotions and Tasks

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Toronto, ON – Working women in Canada say a glass ceiling in Canadian business still exists for them, and see significant divides with men when it comes to salaries, promotions, assigned tasks and the amount of influence they have, according to a new Ipsos poll of over 1,000 working women conducted on behalf of Randstad.  

______________________ #bestofeverything ____________________

The ‘Perils’ of Perceptions: Americans’ Estimates of Number of Immigrants, Atheists, and Those Living Rurally Radically Out of Step with Reality

Wednesday, December 02, 2015

Washington, DC – In a recent survey of over 30 countries, Americans showed a high level of disconnect between perceptions and reality of issues and threats, with very few exceptions. Only on issues relating to the percentage of female politicians and female employment rates did the US public seemed to have a firm grasp on reality (19% of politicians are woman and 63% of women are employed), which were within one percent of the actual numbers. However, the American public believes that over 34% of grown children aged 25 to 34 live with their parents, and yet this number is actually an encouragingly low 12%. 

______________________ #bestofeverything ____________________

Nearly everyone seems to want an Apple Car, and those hopes were raised higher earlier this week when it was revealed that the Apple.car domain had been registered by the tech giant.

But hold on a second. After doing a little digging we discovered that Facebook registered Facebook.car, Facebook.cars and Facebook.Auto on the same day (Dec. 9, 2015) as Apple. Wait, what? Does that mean a Facebook car is coming, too?!

Everyone, pump your brakes. There's a much simpler explanation.

SEE ALSO: Everyone chill — the Apple Car isn't coming any time soon, if ever

______________________ #bestofeverything ____________________

OK,  here's another song to listen to help you chillax like me and let the cool harmonies and vibes envelope you:

OH great, my caps locked.  So much for chillaxing you eh? Honest, I'm not yelling at you, promise. 

in canada, the following stories caught my attention as well from of my favorite news and knowledge source: CBC #bestofeverything

______________________ #bestofeverything ____________________

Romancing the stoned

Dana Larsen, pot activist, sends weed to Liberal MPs in legalization push

'I do not expect to hear from the police over this,' former NDP candidate says of unusual book promotion

CBC News Posted: Jan 06, 2016 4:59 PM ET Last Updated: Jan 06, 2016 4:59 PM ET

Pot legalization activist Dana Larsen mailed a package to all 184 Liberal MPs containing an gram of marijuana and a copy of his new book. Justin Trudeau's government has pledged to legalize, regulate and restrict access to the drug. (Dana Larsen)

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A well-known advocate for marijuana legalization has sent a sample to every Liberal MP to "refamiliarize" them with the substance's "pleasant effects" — and remind them to keep their election promises. 

Dana Larsen — a founding member of the Marijuana Party who went on to run federally for the NDP and contest the B.C. NDP leadership —  mailed all 184 federal Liberal MPs a gram of dried marijuana along with a copy of his new book Cannabis in Canada - The Illustrated History.

• Legalizing pot in Canada will run afoul of global treaties, Trudeau warned
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"Since they are soon to be legalizing cannabis it is a good time for them to learn about the history of how cannabis is such an important part of our country's history," Larsen wrote to Radio-Canada. 

"I included a gram for them because it is also a good time for them to refamiliarize themselves with the pleasant effects of cannabis, and to remember why so many Canadians enjoy using cannabis for medicine and relaxation."

The packages were sent to each MP's constituency offices, bypassing any shared mailroom security for their offices on Parliament Hill.

Dana Larsen, the former editor of Cannabis Culture magazine, has written books, opened dispensaries and run for office both federally and provincially - all part of his efforts to promote the legalization of marijuana. (CBC)

Patrick McDonell, the deputy sergeant-at-arms and corporate security officer for the House of Commons, circulated an email to MPs on Tuesday saying: "If you are in a constituency office and receive such a package, please contact your local law enforcement agency immediately to properly dispose of the package," because his officers do not have the jurisdiction to screen incoming mail in local ridings.

It's unknown whether all 184 packages got through, or how many MP offices contacted the authorities as directed.

While it's not legal to mail marijuana, Larsen wrote to Radio-Canada "I do not expect to hear from the police over this. I am sure they have much more important things to do."

'Haven't smoked it (yet)'

The unsolicited tokens are worth about $800, Larsen said. 

One rookie MP from Toronto, Nate Erskine-Smith, appeared enthusiastic about his gift, first tweeting:

Thanks for the gift @DanaLarsen! Received, but haven't smoked it (yet). #LegalizeIthttps://t.co/j8oNt2u8y0

— @beynate

He later wrote on Twitter:

On a serious note, thousands of Canadians are charged every year for marijuana possession. A sensible policy is long overdue. #LegalizeIt

— @beynate

The Trudeau government's pledge to legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana appears likely to consume plenty of political oxygen as the new government gets down to business on its election promises in 2016.

Trudeau has suggested change could come in a year or two. But a briefing obtained by The Canadian Presssuggests the prime minister has been warned that Canada is currently a signatory to three international treaties that criminalize the possession and production of marijuana.

The Liberal Party says on its website that legalization plans will also include the creation of "new, stronger laws" to punish people who provide marijuana to minors, sell it outside the new "regulatory framework" or operate a vehicle under its influence.

Trudeau has promised to set up a task force comprising federal, provincial and municipal governments, while seeking input from experts in public health, substance abuse and the police, to design a new system of marijuana sales and distribution.

This is not the first time Larsen has sought attention by mailing pot to a politician. During the 2014 teachers' strike in B.C., he mailed Premier Christy Clark a larger sample, suggesting that smoking it could help the warring sides in the dispute ease tensions.

A few joints of Purple Kush could help@christyclarkbc and @FassbenderMLAresolve issues with @bctf.pic.twitter.com/KXF1BibiKC

— @DanaLarse

___________ #bestofeverything _____________

I really like they set their design up on their web page: CBC ... heck were there even ads?

How the writing is graphically presented with dodge balls headers and other links that lead you on a safari of reading:  These really are what bloggers should pay attention: style with a bit of pizzazz.  Hmmmm I've talked about starting my e-zine.  Let's see how short lived it is as I cut and paste from the news source, when they come running to tell me to remove it.  I'd then wonder that they can have a leg to stand on legally would they?  They have tools on their website that says SHARE.  

LOL, I just realized my ALL-CAPS calmed down.  Here's a band that was really into by the younger set:  Arcade on Fire  who have grown up and got into their own unique sound and simple an orgasm for the ears.  Have a listen to NO CARS GO:

___________ #bestofeverything _____________

This song caught my eye and made me think it would be my social media theme song.

You ever have something happen to you or cross your mind and it makes you question everything?  I'm not sure what triggered what or why it hit to be perfectly frank.  All this time, I've been pawning myself as an employee.  A few times, it went bonkers, other few times simply great.  

Now I've been wondering what life would be like if you could just write all day?  Not punch in a clock.  Not being home feeling guilty what chores you're procra- stinating on, or any other responsibilities.  Why not throw caution to the wind and let one's creativity roll.

Why not have advertisers pay Bloggers directly?  Why not have advertisers pay bloggers for the write to host their blog on their page to attract the demographic.  That would be instead of the dry corporate announcements their average customer wouldn't care about.  

We should be promoting what we like, instead of being told what we should like.  

The product of the week that I bought, that I can't wait to try tomorrow morning:

 

I guess it is such a new product that Conair doesn't have a picture on its website - how did they get it ordered?  Apparently, someone ensured it was included in the catelogue for purchasers but not for promotions.  Yep, like a lot of companies, the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing.  If and when I get a photo from Conair I may swap this out.   In the mean time this soap caught my eye and I think I may like to buy it.  When I went to Shoppers today, they didn't offer me any contest entry form.  What's up with that?  The web masters know more than the cosmetic or cash register counters.  Oh, my another disconnect.  I tweeted at them, we'll have to see what type of community manager they have:  a spammer, or someone who actually reads the stuff and responds.  Makes me wonder why they don't have customer oriented or loyalty folks do the tweeting or facebook posts?  

___________ #bestofeverything _____________

I found it intriguing that American Idol is having a "Fairwell Season".  Delighted as well.  I watched a few seasons and like many thought it had dried up.  Pleasantly surprised, the dynamics of Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr.  Liked the harmonies they did as spoofs on really really old songs, even by my standards.  

One part I forgot I liked about these shows come in two parts, musical talent aside in fashion:  one being the hosts (Ms. Lopez) and her fashionable tame looks that is part glamour and part wholesome natural beauty.

Okay, so she gets a professional makeup artist, hairdresser and styler.  I wonder how much she is involved in the looks?

Then there is the contestants and their transformation.  One can't wonder is how much of a whirlwind it is being madeover, while curious about anyone who stuck close to home in their personal looks.

OK, let's have a look here.  Adam Lambert.   He had an inkling for his look on American Idol.  A pop star now in his own right.  He has more of an edge.

According to the Mail Online (A Division of the Daily Mail UK) he's the $10 Million Man.  Crowned the highest income earner for 2015 by American Idol alumnae, bypassing Kelly Clarkson's $4 million and Carrie Underwood's $8 million.

___________ #bestofeverything __________