Laman

Aug 30, 2011

Insomnia attacks

Do you eat, sleep, do you breathe me anymore? Do you sleep, do you count sheep anymore? Do you sleep anymore? Do you take plight on my tongue like lead? Do you fall gracefully into bed anymore?-  Lisa Loeb .
From Flickr

How Exactly?

This is so funny!

Credit unknown. Anyone?

Secret Project On the Go!

Pssst... I am working on a project. Pulling a dream out of its comfort hideaway and carving it into reality.
Do not worry, it is not anything illegal. It will not cause any harm. A part of my heart says It's kinda late for me to be start doing this- but a bigger part says; It is now or never. Wish me all the luck in the world and strongest willed heart anyone could ever have. Though the project is taking a baby steps now, I know -with God's grace- this really is happening. Fingers crossed.
And yes, I will keep you posted on the progress. 

from Saying Images

Aug 29, 2011

Believe it or Not; Second Chances

Sorry for the pause on posting for our Believe it or Not feature. I have been thinking about second chances these days. Do you believe in that?

I have been granted with hundredths of second chances by my great creator. But, is it really that easy for us to do the same? I agree on this skeptical saying of; not everybody deserves second chances. But how can we know that that is the ultimate truth? What and where the line lays? Is it the mistake? The hurt caused or the person? I really do not have the answer for this, with all the doubting and being alert of one’s sincerity?
Do you give second chances to your better half after a betrayal? Second chances to a leader who failed to adhere their golden promises?
A wise elderly once told me, when you give someone a second chances- think of it as giving yourself one chance too. A shot to see things differently, a chance to get a better deserved result. From anyone , from anything. I am a rookie for this . But from this stage of confusion, I can suggest you not to blow your very first chance in anyone or anything so we can save all the questions for another life. How about that?
ps: Believe it or Not feature is not a dogma where you can go and knock for answers. It is a media of my twirling wanders. Glad if I can help but will be happy to receive insights too :)
So feel free to breeze me with your idea.
from Inspiredjoy

Awesome Monday: Awesome People Hanging Out Together; Steve Jobs and Bill Gates

On this awesome Monday (a series of post inspired by this tumblr ) , we have the Apple founder- recently tender his resignation- Steve Jobs and the Microsoft magnate, Bill Gates
I am just wondering, are you more of an Apple freak, or a PC users? ;)
I think I am devouring Jobs' invention *typing on my mac-book- dragging new downloaded songs to my I touch- , though I still have I phone left as my wish list ( If you are reading this and thinking of it as a hint, you are right- yes, you! hahaha) . 
Either way, when it comes to the man behind both Apple and Microsoft; Jobs and Gates, I think they are just as Awesome!
Have a nice Monday everybody, It is a public holiday here in Indonesia the next Tuesday and Wednesday, so it's almost like a weekend, again ;)

Photo by George Lange

Aug 28, 2011

I Have a Dream. Says the King

This post is to commemorate and to honor the day where Martin Luther King delivered the world  shattering speech; I have a dream.
"I Have a Dream" is a 17-minute public speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered on August 28, 1963, in which he called for racial equality and an end to discrimination. According to U.S. Representative John Lewis, who also spoke that day as the President of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, "Dr. King had the power, the ability, and the capacity to transform those steps on the Lincoln Memorial into a monumental area that will forever be recognized. By speaking the way he did, he educated, he inspired, he informed not just the people there, but people throughout America and unborn generations."

Now if only by reading this and re orchestrating the event in my mind, I can get all goosebumps in an awe, can you imagine what was it like back in that particular day?

I have a dream today!
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.




King unveiled: The statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is seen unveiled from scaffolding during the soft opening of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Monday. The memorial will be dedicated Sunday, Aug. 28. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin)
Source: Wikipedia. Image credit : Above; unknown/ Below;  The Jakarta Post. 

Aug 27, 2011

Trust Me

I am tired. I am exhausted. I can be in distress when I am weary. Yes, I can be weary. I sometimes want to say No but it seems almost impossible to swallow my pride all the time- being this someone who seems to always "have the answers" to everything.  Truth is , I don't. 

I want to tell you that sometimes, I am not okay. Come over and cry over my shoulder... But, do you know that I can be dishearten too? When I tell you not to be scared, do you have any idea how frightened I really am inside? That this curve I have beaming on my face takes a lot of work too? 
Please, do not be in that dismay knowing that I need you here, I can get deserted too, I can cry myself out in the middle of the night and wishing to be that fragile little heart, and being taken care of. Yes, I can be weak too. I don't always have to keep it together on my shoulder. I am not always that strong. Trust me.

Credit unknown. Anyone?

Walk on, you can't go back now- The Weepies

Been a while since I shared my "song of the week". So here we go, one of my favorite track from The Weepies . I also quote some part of  the lyric which I think pretty much describes what I am feeling now :)
Hope you like it!
You know there will be days when you're so tired that you can't take another step, / The night will have no stars and you'll think you've gone as far as you will ever get/ But you and me walk on/ Cause you can't go back now/ And yeah, yeah, go where you want to go/ Be what you want to be/ If you ever turn around, you'll see me./ I can't really say why everybody wishes they were somewhere else/ But in the end, the only steps that matter are the ones you take all by yourself/ And you and me walk on/ Yeah you and me walk on/ Cause you can't go back now/ Walk on, walk on, walk on/ You can't go back now


Aug 26, 2011

Words to delete from the dictionary?

Just sharing an article I found very interesting :)
Well yes, you got me. It's a Friday evening and I am in Bali- only a 20 minutes drive away from the most happening club in the island, just got this month's pay check and yet I am here browsing through the world of words in my room ;p how lame and sad ha!
Well maybe they should delete those words to ; both lame and sad. You don't exist. Blah

From : The hotword;
These words may be removed from some dictionaries — find out why, and if you agree
No matter how clever, revolutionary, or poignant, the passage of time can render anything obsolete – even words.
Recently, researchers for the  Collins Dictionary released a list of words, such as charabanc and aerodrome, that are used so rarely that they are considered obsolete, and will no longer be included in smaller print dictionaries.
The following are among the words that the Collins lexicographers have identified. How many of these have you heard before, and do any of them deserve a second chance?
Aerodrome 
Alienism 
Bever 
Brabble 
Charabanc 
Deliciate
Frigorific 
Supererogate 
Younker 

An online dictionary obviously doesn’t face the same  space dilemmas as its paper cousin, but an argument could be made that if a word is rarely used or searched for, it may not matter if it is in the dictionary or not. 

    The Help (Book; Done. Movie: Let's see)

    Yes. the movie is out! However, having all the not so pleasant experience of watching "based on book" movies , I am not in so much of euphoria to watch this one. But, I can tell you one thing;
    Never once I read a book that gets me to;  not being able to decide which exactly is my favorite character. They are just too awesome! I have laughed and cried my way through this book, amazed by the three women who form its core, idealistic Skeeter, loving Aibileen, and sarcastic, sassy Minny, narrate their chapters each in a voice that is distinctive.
    Trust me, this one is a true fresh air in work of literature. Order it here !
    The Help

    Isaiah 41:10

    Thought of the day. Sending this to my inner self, my siblings, my Mom, and all of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

    from this tumblr

    Aug 21, 2011

    Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

    This is a lively read, written with the intent to shock. More controversial is Chua’s stereotyping of Chinese and Western cultures, not to mention her authoritarian parenting methods. 
    Quite the contrary of how I was brought up and definitely not my first choice on how to raise my own children someday, but hey, how would you know yours is the best if you would not want to pay a glance to other opinions and experiences? 
    I only got to page 29 since I first read it this early evening but I know this is one of the one that is almost impossible for me to let go before I get to the last page. 



    Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

    Aug 18, 2011

    Three's a Charm ; Food and lifestyle

    Oh if only I can cut down on you, my dear Caffeine : )


    Eat frequently of you ,


    And make a more often use of you,



    Aug 17, 2011

    Prosa Liris Miris

    Berikut ini adalah komentar pendek dari seorang penulis senior, yang membaca beberapa tulisan saya (dalam bahasa). Untuk referensi, sila kunjungi halaman sastra di blog saya.
    Sungguh, saya semakin bersemangat karenanya, walau memang ada satu kenyataan pahit mengenai sikap media dan segala preferensinya dalam menyoal suatu opini. Betapa saya semakin mensyukuri adanya blog, karena paling tidak, saya bisa berbagi.

    " Tulisan ito padat, angle dan isinya jelas. Sayang, opini seperti ini makin tidak ada tempat di media kita. Kalau isi yang sama diformat jadi prosa liris seperti "perempuan" itu ( Perempuan Harus Begitu ), akan berubah dari artikel opini menjadi karya fiksi (prosa).
    Media kita paling memuat tulisan tokoh/ahli tertentu, yang pemikirannya kita sudah hapal. Aku tag ito tulisan yang sebenarnya sudah standar kolom suratkabar. Tapi siapa yang mau memuat? Bagi ito sih, terus saja menulis, mengasah kemampuan menulis. Tapi kalau ito ingin bikin buku, kumpulan prosa liris bagus. Itu akan dianggap karya fiksi, seperti kumpulan cerpen atau puisi, karya imajinatif personal. Tapi sesudah membaca, orang seperti membaca artikel, karena isi-isinya yang tematik "

    Lucunya, kebetulannya, semasa kuliah dulu, saya begitu rakus melahap karya-karya Seno Gumira Ajidarma. Pujangga liris yang membuat miris, itu dia.
    Memasuki dunia kerja entah kenapa pilihan referensi baca saya jadi lebih majemuk mengingat kepentingannya untuk pekerjaan, sehingga terus terang, tentang karya beliau saya hampir lupa. Walau tanpa saya sadari, saya masih menghidupinya dalam benak saya.

    Untuk amang NRT, mari kita lanjutkan perjuangan melalui pena (ketikan) walau hanya sejauh prosa liris yang semakin miris.

    Note: Ito adalah sapaan umum untuk perempuan Batak dari orang yang usianya setara atau lebih tua. Amang adalah sapaan hormat untuk lelaki Batak,  bisa juga untuk Ayah, atau bahkan anak lelaki.

    Surat Cinta untuk Ibu Pertiwi

    Ibu Pertiwi yang terhormat, 
    Ingatkah Ibu akan cinta kita?  Cinta yang awalnya, aku tau dari cerita seorang kakek, yang pernah membersihkan sisa darah pada ujung bambu runcingnya. Saat dadanya masih bidang,rambutnya masih legam,dan darah mudanya diisi gelegak hasrat penuh pembelaan.
    Karena cintanya padamu Ibu Pertiwi

    Lalu, aku tau dari guru-guru sekolah dasar. Yang mata pelaran mereka,kuingat selalu jatuh hari senin siang. Senin yang diawali dengan penghormatan pada sang Merah Putih. Merah Putih yang dibela oleh si kakek itu. Jam pelajaran yang membuat kawanku Bardi mengantuk, yang membuat Lilis ketakutan karena entah kenapa dia selalu kesulitan menghapal nama nama pahlawan. Tetapi buatku, pelajaran itu membuatku terpana,aku terpesona dan tersihir,terbawa pada khayalan akan masa kesakitan itu.membayangkan jiwa-jiwa muda yang bersatu,meregang nyawa, demi kehormatanmu, wahai Pertiwi.

    Ibu yang terkasih,
    Aku tak kenal rasa sakit di telapak kaki karena terlalu lama mengantri beras, siaran radio yang kudengar adalah tembang kenamaan, bukan cerita soal posisi prajurit yang tengah bertahan. Bertahan demi cinta padamu, pertiwi.
    Sekolah yang baik, menggapai cita dan berbakti pada negeri ini. Itu yang dipetuahkan padaku. Karena ratusan tahun terhanguskan sudah, dan padaku, terpatri kewajiban untuk sedikit mengambil bagian dalam melanjutkan lagi kejayaannya.

    Aku mengerti indahnya perbedaan,aku dimodali budi pekerti kearifan dan kejujuran. Bukan sekedar soal jangan buang sampah sembarang dan perbedaan rumah ibadah serta pemuka agama. Aku hapal undang undang,aku berdebar saat melantangkan Pancasila dan menyanyikan gubahan Wage Rudolf Supratman.
    Aku percaya, Ismail Marzuki tak main-main saat ia goreskan kalimat.." Tempat berlindung di hari tua, Sampai akhir menutup mata".. 
    Pasti karena orang-orang besar itu cinta. Seperti aku cinta padamu,pertiwi

    Ibu, lalu... tahukah engkau kalau aku bersedih saat langitmu menghitam lagi? Kali ini oleh si kotor yang dinamai polusi,dan asap dari kemarahan dan huru hara kami sendiri. 

    Darah-darah muda terbuang lagi, bukan karena gelegak pembelaan, tapi karena dengki.
    Dengki pada perbedaan yang dulu diagungkan, dengki pada saudara sendiri. Karena keangkuhan untuk membela kuasa teragung yang takkan sampai oleh akal kami...

    Radio televisi,dan masih banyak sarana teknologi lain yang seperti menghidupkan sejarah tentang posisi aman dan tidak, tentang kewaspadaan,tentang berjatuhannya korban. Bukan karena jajahan,tapi karena pemberontakkan,  genangan banjir yang terlalu tinggi dan rombongan jiwa yang bersiap berperang entah untuk siapa.

    Doa-doa yang dipanjatkan sarat lagi oleh ketakutan, hati manusia lupa akan artinya curang karena oleh kecurangan itu mungkin ia bisa terbang,menimba ilmu di negeri orang,untuk kembali padamu pertiwi,katanya. Kalau kau sudah aman lagi.

    Mengapakah tangismu mengucur deras wahai pertiwi? Apa janji kami yang kami ingkari? Bukankan ribuan gedung pencakar langit ini salah satu bukti cinta kami? Mengapa kamu menderu? Bukankah bidak-bidak pemimpin negeri ini,dan kepeduliannya terhadap rakyat jelata membuatmu haru? (ah,dulu aku ingat diatur di pasal berapa undang-undang itu)...
    Kekerasan itu, perasaan tidak aman itu, semua akan lalu.. Ada banyak pemimpin yang punya sejuta ikrar dan ribuan janji. Semoga mereka sempat menepati.
    Bukankah, mereka juga cinta padamu?

    Selamat hari jadi, Indonesiaku...
    Catatan ini, hanya untuk mengingatkanku pada semua haru biru yang kita punya. Dari dahulu.


    karya seorang kawan
    Dituliskan tahun lalu, bulan Oktober 2010. Dengan sedikit gubahan untuk memperingati hari jadi Indonesia Raya. Ibu Pertiwi yang saya cintai.

    Aug 15, 2011

    Awesome Monday: Awesome People Hanging Out Together; Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe

    Hello Awesomeness! This is a post inspired by a very awesome page . What we have here is Ella Fitzgerald , also known as "Lady Ella" and the iconic Marilyn Monroe :)
    I have a few numbers of Lady Ella's song in my Ipod which of course includes Cheek to Cheek, Misty and I've Go you under my skin. As for Monroe (born as Norma Jeane Mortenson), her quotes are truly a daring life inspiration!
    Too bad I cannot tell you the story behind the picture. Sources, anyone?


    Aug 13, 2011

    Three's a Charm ; Beach

    Here are the top 3 pictures I like (from this afternoon at the beach :))

    I secretly named him Bingo
    The Blogger
    Three kites flying over three coconut trees :)

    Aug 12, 2011

    Demi Nirwana

    Hari saya teringat. Atau kalau mau jujur, diingatkan. Karena memang saya terkadang lena dengan segala kenyamanan.
    Lewat berpulangnya seorang bapak, yang semasa hidupnya berkalang dengan kotoran, sisa makanan, bahan kimia dan tak jarang...sampah. Untuk kehidupan anak istrinya. Untuk impian, yang mungkin sangat sederhana. Supaya paling tidak- anaknya tak perlu melakoni perannya selama ini.

    Setiap pagi, si bapak mandi, sarapan, untuk pergi dan mandi lagi dengan keringat campur kotoran, sisa makanan, bahan kimia dan tak jarang … sampah.
    Katanya si bapak sudah lama sakit. Jadi, drama siang tadi hanyalah sekedar pelepasan. Gong’ nya. Begitulah kira-kira. Katanya dia terbiasa mengabaikan. Karena kalau dia mau rehat sejenak barang sehari, dia takut badannya menjadi manja.
    Jadi dipaksanya tubuhnya bekerja, ia deru harinya dengan siksa. Karena tau anak istri perlu makan. Karena diam-diam, dia masih punya impian.

    Tapi hari ini, 12 Agustus 2011. Tuhan bilang, tugasnya sudah selesai. Besok bapak tak perlu lagi mandi, sarapan, berangkat kerja untuk lalu berkalang keringat campur kotoran, sisa makanan, bahan kimia dan tak jarang…sampah.
    Waktunya sudah selesai. Tugasnya sudah rampung. Sampai hari ini. Yang ditandai dengan rebahnya tubuh si bapak, ditengah kerjanya yang berkalang keringat dan kotoran.

    Sekarang si bapak yang akan dimandikan. Bukan untuk bekerja lagi. Tapi untuk menuju keabadian sebuah tempat peristarahatan yang paling agung.
    Mungkin disana diantara awan-awan, mungkin dibawah kaki gunung atau jauh menelusup diperut bumi, mungkin diantara buliran pasir...

    Hari ini saya teringat. Atau kalau mau jujur, diingatkan. Jagan-jangan saya belum cukup memberikan sapa terima kasih, atau sekedar sebuah senyuman. Untuk orang-orang seperti si bapak, untuk perempuan petugas kebersihan di jalan. Untuk semua kenyamanan yang sudah beliau-beliau sumbangkan. Supaya saya merasa nyaman... Sekalipun buat mereka itu semua demi sebuah impian.
    Impian sederhana. Tapi jauh, dari kotoran, sisa makanan, dan pastinya sampah.
    Impian yang ternyata datang lebih dari yang dibayangkan... 

    Untuk Bapak I Wayan Wardana. Semoga abadimu damai di Nirwana.
    Om Shanti shanti Om…

    Aug 11, 2011

    Work of Art

    If Avant-garde simply means; represents a pushing of the boundaries, then this masterpiece from my Nephew is considered as one :)
    Why praying for a clear blue sky if it's already bursting with colors? And, the grass may always be greener on the other side but you would never want to trade place. Why? Yours is roaring red!

    The work
    The self captured artist

    Graphic Novel

    Graphic novel is a full-length comic strips for grown-ups that tells hilarious and touching stories. I never read any but I bet they are ridiculously genius, a true work of art and also entertaining. I read about this on one of my favorite blog and decided to re post it, and presenting you the graphic novel that I am oh so dying to read :)
    French Milk is a charming memoir of a 22-year-old's six-week stay in Paris with her mother--complete with drawings of croissants, striped shirts, the Eiffel Towel and some crankiness. Magnifique!




    Aug 10, 2011

    Go green much?

    I had a one shot of wheat-grass juice this morning. Don't ask me about the taste- though I now know what it is like to be a herbivore ( I guess). My dear... How "expensive" that is to start on a healthy lifestyle. As an individual, I practice a more environmental friendly life style in my day to day chores. Minimize the use of plastic bag, bottled water, etc. But to apply that on my diet ? Err...
    Wheat-grass contains up of 70% chlorophyll which is the component that makes plants green. The most expected effect from the green drink is ; blood purification, digestion improvement, aid in prevention of cancer (due to its carcinogen and toxin neutralizing abilities) and also; detox! A nice to know fact: a 2 ounce of fresh juice equals 3 pounds of organic vegetables in vitamins and minerals.
    I eat pretty much whatever I like, red meat? Yes. Carbo? Yes. Sugar? Darn it, yes. So, I am not sure if I can start consuming this so called healthy beverage everyday. I really don't. The after taste is just too strong.
    But I do want to be healthy tho' so if anyone can help with a simple beverage recipe thus I can mix it up with an orange or something less grassy?

    find the benefits of consuming wheat-grass

    Aug 9, 2011

    Happy Birthday Benevolent!

    Happy 30th Birthday to my daring but timid, delicate but strong, fearful but courageous little sister; Benevolent. I will always have that picture of you with that long braided hair in my mind, but admit the fact that you are now portraying a role of a great mother for your lovely son; Joseph Kiyoshi.
    I wish you all the love in the world and may the grace from Jesus Christ showers you all the time!

    the birthday mama:)
    Graphic from Scripture Slides by Randall Bowman

    Aug 8, 2011

    Awesome Monday: Awesome People Hanging Out Together; Warhol and Hitchcock

    Happy Monday. Welcome to our Awesome Monday, a post series inspired by this tumblr :)
    Now, we are seeing the legendary Andy Warhol and Alfred Hitchcock. I used to be a big fan of Hitchcock- eeerrrr.... because My late Grandad (from my late Dad's side) named Alfred. Alfred Hutasoit, of course- not Hitchcock. Not quite a good reason to read the Three Investigators series but somehow, that is why I did so. Silly huh? And as if that was not silly enough, I also read all... I typed... All of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale because my late Grandad (from My Mom's side) named Andersen Simanjuntak. Go ahead and laugh at me. They were teachers (both of my Ompung Doli *grandad in Batak languange). So they were a very literate, soft-spoken, broaden minded being with good access to the school's library. My source of never-ending treasure.
    I never heard the name of Warhol before I got into college and start having this roaring interests in art and making friends with students from the art and design faculty. So that's that. I think the background pretty much sums up the reason why I am posting this image.

    Warhol and Hitchcock both started out as illustrators. Warhol had started his career working as a commercial illustrator, Hitchcock had started out creating illustrations for title cards in silent movies. Of course Andy and Alfred where also both film directors.
    The picture of Warhol interviews Hitchcock was taken not long after both filmmakers were given new Polaroid Super mm film cameras to shoot footage for use in planned Polaroid commercials . 
    Read the interview here
    Andy Warhol interviews Alfred Hitchcock

    Not so pained sighs

    Just sharing a smile on a Monday afternoon. My Monday is speeding up like a bullet and I am half way there to the finish line. How far are you?

    from savage chickens

    Aug 6, 2011

    Desk it dear :)

    I found post it helpful, and I am one regular consumer; ) But if I can found this desk-it, I think using them will be more environment friendly for me, since my little post its keep losing its way between stack of papers. I can always go back to my check my outlook though but during a long busy day; scribbling ideas, reminders and what not, is like my one constant need.
    Desk-it is a post-it note for your desk. You can write down your to-dos for the day or week, and then stick it on your wall or your computer to remind yourself. Once you're done, just tear it off and enjoy your sense of accomplishment.


    from Poketo

    Mariachi for Beluga

    This is too amazing! I literally broke into tears and laughter at the same time :,))
    I knoooowww... the real treat should be returning them back into the ocean. But, this mariachi band serenading one beluga whale? This is  too cute. 
    I just hope that the Mystic Aquarium at Connecticut is treating them well (the belugas, not the band)


    My Pure Saturday

    How do you like your Saturday? I like mine starts early. I embrace my Saturday with a cup of long black coffee, a misty window and broken clouds. Yes, I am a morning person, so even on my days off, I always wake up early just to feel this pleasure knowing that I have a free time to do things out of work. I can do chores, breakfast, put on some music just to go back for a nap later but I must and love... to wake up early.
    So this morning, I woke up at 7 (a bit late), and do a bit of reading before walking for 20 minutes to my hotel to have a breakfast meeting with the Managing Editor of this sophisticated lifestyle magazine; Dreams .
    I met him  last night for a dinner but the interview with the Chef has to be done in the morning. So I went. 
    Call me crazy, but I love breakfast meetings. It feels like it triggers an endorphin burst in me, knowing that on such early hours, I have done something worth accomplishing.
    Especially because my work (my passion) always rotates me into meeting people with fascinating ideas and experiences. Trust me I am not a typical " must work long hours"  kinda woman. I don't do that. But I don't know how to call this "contentment of getting one thing done on a Saturday morning" which makes me feel like I deserve a laid back day to the fullest. I am weird like that I guess.  
    Have  nice Saturday everyone. 

    Update: I later have nice long hours at the beach, do my nails, bakso dinner, shop for bread and fruits (hmm durian and mangosteen) with my friend Ria. I loooouuuve my Saturday!
    Image credit unknown. Anyone?

    Aug 5, 2011

    Rock n Roll baby!

    Just sharing an article I found rockingly entertaining :)

    Is “Rocket ‘88” by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats  the very first rock and roll record? The question has inspired debate among musicologists for years.  Another equally contentious question: Where does the term “rock and roll” come from?
    Rock” is derived from the Old English roccain, related to the Old Nordic rykkja meaning, “to pull, tear, move.” The earliest recorded use of the term in literature can be found in the lullaby “Rock-a-bye Baby “ from 1805.
    “Roll” is derived from the Latin rotula meaning, “small wheel.” The phrase “rocking and rolling,” a metaphor used by seamen to describe the motion of a ship, dates from the 17th century. Similar metaphors slipped into popular discourse, but one in particular became the inspiration for the genre’s moniker.
    By the 1920s, “rocking and rolling” became a popular double entendre referring to either dancing or sex. Trixie Smith’s 1922 blues ballad, “My Man Rocks Me (With One Steady Roll) may be the first use of the phrase in song.
    Alan Freed, a disc jockey in Cleveland, Ohio used the phrase, “The Rock and Roll Session” to describe the amalgamation of rhythm and blues and country music he played during his show. As his radio show gained popularity, so too did the phrase.
    And why is the “and” sometimes written as ‘n? That’s called an apocopation – the omission of the final sound of a word.
    Another interesting quest; What does Shakespeare have to do with punk rock? Find out here.

    Image is from here

    Aug 4, 2011

    Happy Birthday Mr. President!

    Well yes, I am one Obama's fan. And seeing how much of a family man the president is, how can I not adore him even more?
    Here's to wish a very Happy 50th Birthday to the President of The United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama.
    The Obamas don smiles and their Sunday finest to attend a prayer service at St. John's Church across the street from the White House in Washington, D.C

     Image from here

    Aug 2, 2011

    Believe it or Not : Luck

    I do, once in every occasion. I do: I say good luck, break a leg, or best of luck to people I know waiting for happy news, going to perform in a recital, heading for an interview or if they are about to make a life altering decisions. I believe in luck- as much as I believe in a strong willed work , unquestionable discipline and perseverance.
    But,... listen... I think the actual being of Luck is... an extension of a blessing :)
    What do you think?
    ps: I told you I am a big believer of many forces in life *wink

    image is uploaded via daydreamingmommy