Big Brother 8: Update: Dick's in Charge

As I have stated earlier - I am not so good at recapping the shows - (I guess I get to emotionally involved).....but do not fret, our dear friend Buck has us covered yet again....




Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Flashback Fridays: Saturday Edition

I was looking through some old photographs that my sister had dutifully put together for each of the siblings and I came across this picture of my family on our first outing after my parents divorce. I want to say it was 1980. I remember this trip like it was yesterday because of all of the events that took place before and after this picture was taken.


We have a saying in our family...."The Beck Family Vacation...." and it means exactly what it says....forget about National Lampoon....it simple cannot compare!

This picture is of my dad, Aunt Betty, Uncle Harry, Grandma Adams (my uncle's mom), my brother and two sisters, and my Uncle Joe and Aunt Sally at my Aunt Betty's house in Virginia. (By the way...that's me holding my hands on my face for God knows what reason....such the little homo!)

I always loved going there for the hot month of August - but this was the first time my dad took us on his own (without my mother). The trip started out terribly with my mom standing in the driveway sobbing when we left. (I found out when I was much older that she absolutely did not want us to drive to Virginia with my dad but was forced by the court to allow it to happen). Anyway, once we were on the road and all cried out (we were crying because mom was crying) we started getting excited about seeing our Aunt Betty and Uncle Harry and all of our cousins.

All of us had money given to use by our Grandfather, and I being the little banker I was took an old tool box and taped little jewlry boxes (the kind you get when you buy a piece of cosmetic jewlry) to the bottom to make a makeshift cash register (how resourceful). Little did I know that by the time we got near Virginia all of my money and the money of my siblings would be gone. Somehow, we had spent all the money on the way there (I am still a bit clueless on this). Anyway, we were getting to a toll bridge and my dad asked us for money - well....none of us had any - and neither did he so we couldn't get over the bridge to get to our Aunt's (btw - there was no other way to get there....we were stuck!) so eventually as my brother was trying to look at the map to find a way around this toll, my dad stopped at a gas station and my brother (I think) got out and begged the attendant for the money for the toll - luckily a good samaritan was found and we were able to continue on our way....Thank you gas station man!!!

There is more to this story that I will relay in a later post...trust me it gets better!

Flashback Friday

Well, I guess I have failed at this. So look for a "Flashback Friday: Saturday Edition" because I am way too tired to do this tonight!

Big Brother 8: Recap

So while I was on my lunch break, I decided to check out youtube. I came across this video cast called "What the Buck". Anyway, this guy is hilarious! I figured he does a much better job updating people on BB8 than I could!

Seriously....this guy should have his own talk show. So props to THE WHAT THE BUCK SHOW.

Here is a recap from week one. Enjoy!



Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Music From the Edge: Imogen Heap

I came across this CD after seeing Imogen on David Letterman a while back. I didn't realize this at first, but Imogen Heap was part of the successful brit group Frou Frou. Her music is different, authentic, and strange...which makes it all too good for the radio. You don't find artists like this often. Her layered sounds remind me loosely of Enya, but in a more contemporary fare. Considering the major label (Sony) support (?), Imogen has been placed on various soundtracks and compilation CD's, but has only managed to chart at #145 on the Billboard 200.

Check out:

Imogen Heap's Hide & Seek from the CD Speak for yourself released in 2005.

You can purchase her full length CD at Amazon or at ITunes.

And the video? Wow...


Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Flashback Fridays

This picture means a lot to me for it was a moment in time that I had always wanted to happen. It was taken after the Spring Gala Concert for ETC All American Youth Show Choir in 1984 (or 85). This concert took place at EJ Thomas Hall in Akron, and my grandparents came to see my brother and I perform. I can honestly say that this moment is one that I will always cherish, because my grandma told me how proud she was of me and how well I performed.

Considering that I never felt a lot of love (or any other emotion for that matter) from my grandma, I have to say it was one of the happiest moments I can remember with her. On the other hand, my grandpa (I am actually tearing up as I write this), my grandpa was always there to support and give praise. I loved him so dearly. He was – and still is a major influence in my life. I continue to lean on him for support and encouragement, even though he has passed away.

This was a very difficult time in my life for me personally. I look back at this picture and am still keenly aware of the pain I was feeling. I was struggling with my sexuality, I was struggling with my weight, and I was struggling just trying to make it through being a regular teen-ager. But the only time I wasn’t struggling was when I was on stage. There I could be anyone other than myself. I could make people happy – even my grandma.

When I need to be close to my grandparents, I look at this picture and reflect on this special moment in time. I chose this picture to be my first Friday Flashback simply because of the joy I felt at that moment – like I could do anything, be anything, but most of all be happy and know that I was loved.

Peace.Live.Love.
JPB

Family Values: Case - State Rep. Robert "Bob" Allen

My how the mighty have fallen....just when you think you have heard it all concerning sex scandals and the republican party (Sen. Vittor and the DC Madame)....it now comes to light that State Rep. Robert "Bob" Allen (R-FL) has his own sex scandal to deal with....and McCain has another headache to deal with (as if the Iraq war wasn't weighing heavy enough on his brain.)

http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/13992/now-florida-state-gop-rep-robert-bob-allen-in-sex-scandal/

http://belarius.newsvine.com/_news/2007/07/12/832179-robert-bob-allen-r-florida-arrested-on-solicitation-charges

Interestingly enough....I googled all the major news sites...and not a single mention of this scandal. So much for the Liberal Media.

What makes me angry about this .....is not that Mr. Allen offered to pay an undercover officer 20.00 to give the undercover officer a BJ.....but that this man is nothing more than a HYPOCRITE. His record speaks for itself....another case of DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO.

There are a lot of interesting blog posts about this......(funny how blogs give the news and news gives you Paris).

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2007/07/homoquotable-bob-allen.html

I will leave it at that..... : ) or as Rachel Maddow says "Poking a Sharp Stick at the Soft White Underbelly of the Republican Administration."


Guess now.....we just wait for Bush to pardon him.........

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Web Rings

So I just signed up to join the Chicago Blog Webring. I wonder if this will actually draw more people to my blog. It will be interesting to report on any new traffic in the future. Not to mention, I could use the contacts here in Chicago. I've been here since 2001 and still can count the number of friends on one hand.

C'mon Chicago! Let me know what you are thinking!

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Different Picture

So my brother wrote me an email saying that my pictures on my blog were SCARY.

I was sad (I actually thought they were good.)......well, I decided to put up some other non-scary pictures instead. What can I say: my brother does have an impact on me in some ways....

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Big Brother 8: My Opinion

OK. Two shows in and I really can't stand Jen. She is annoying (and psycho!) Wow! She already is having jealousy issues and going psycho girl crazy on Nick.

The disappointing thing about this season, is that none of the guys are really all that good looking. Scary thing is I think Dustin is the hottest guy (and don't ask me why cause I don't know!?)

And by the way....Joe? YUCK! and what is with Nick hanging his arms all over Joe during the choosing of Power of Veto.......is there something you wanna tell us Nick?

Danielle....hey girl, you are cute n'all but eat something ok??????

Cleaning Out the Garage

I am on vacation. Since we are doing our best to remain debt free (yeah, right!), I was unable to go anywhere on vacation, so I am doing things around the new homestead. So today, I decided to takle the garage.

Since we only moved into our new home at the end of March, there were still many boxes of "non-essentials" that needed to be unpacked, organized and eventually used, placed, discarded, or re-packed. So my day consisted of going through all of this "stuff" and making decisions on what to do with it.

I guess I am perplexed by the amount of "stuff" that we moved from one place to another...though I am usually of the mindset to donate or discard/recycle anything that I haven't used in a year's time, my partner doesn't necesarily follow this practice (and let's be honest....there is plenty more that I could do the same to as well...).

So my goal for this summer is to donate as much of the "stuff" that I can, ebay off the stuff that is a potential money maker, and discard/recycle anything that can't fall under the first two. The hard part of this goal will be to have my partner do the same thing (he tends to be more of a pack rat than I - not to mention he has over 4 boxes [extra-large u-haul boxes] of shoes!)....i'm talking Imelda Marcos here!

So if any of you have suggestions on how to make this process go more smoothly, please do not hesitate to leave me a comment!

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Big Brother 8

How could I forget to mention my summer guilty pleasure?! Big Brother 8 has started again, and I couldn't be happier! The best part is that instead of the 24/7 feed, I can watch live happenings on Showtime!!! I am so stoked!

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

Not much to say today

So for the moment, I don't have much to say. I am trying to decompress from a long week...My vacation is only 2 days away and it seems like a lifetime! So, for now, I rest and leave the blogging to those that have the energy.

Peace.Love.Live.
JPB

The Constitutional Crisis: 14 Characteristics of Fascism

The recent Supreme Court decisions....

Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School Dist. No. 1
(basically overturning Brown v. Board of Education)

Morse v. Frederick
(limiting the First Ammendment Rights of Students)

and..........The secrecy of the current administration

Cheney asserts that he is not part of the Executive Branch


Have all given me pause. I am reposting the video 14 Characteristics of Fascism narrated by Mike Malloy, from Air America Radio

I'll let you be the judge...my mind is already made up!


Peace. Love. Live.

The Health Care Crisis: Sicko

My partner and I went to see Sicko last night. As with any Michael Moore movie, we were prepared to deal with the emotional issues that come with his documentaries. What we were not prepared for was the ANGER that came with the rest of the emotions.

I can't even begin to give this documentary the justice it deserves. I can just encourage all of you out there in cyberworld to go see this film, and then get involved in changing the landscape that allows this health care system to run over people instead of helping people.

Peace.Love.Live.

The official trailer for "Sicko" follows:

Music from the edge: Adiemus

Composer Karl Jenkins (Diamond Music) founded this group to delve into a deeper inner sanctum. The music of this group is haunting, and the lyrics sung are of a language only known to Karl himself, in order to showcase the human voice as an amazing musical instrument. It is mystifying to sit and listen to this group, though you have no idea what is being said, the music surrounds you and you are immediately transferred to a place of tranquility and solitude.

It shows the true meaning behind the saying that "music is a universal language". Along with its calming effects, the music intertwines a variety of world sounds from African to Arabic. This music transcends all genres and ideologies, allowing the listener to gain whatever perspective they need from religious to meditative.


This first video is the original release from the first Adiemus album entitled "Songs of Sanctuary", released in 1995 (main vocals my Miriam Stockely). This song was also the theme song for Delta Airlines.




This second video "Cantus (Song of Tears)" is one of my favorite songs from Adiemus (there was no official video for this release.)which was from the second CD release from Adiemus titled, "Adiemus II: Cantata Mundi" in 1997.




Both albums include the London Philharmonic. I hope you enjoy this different musical journey. It certainly is a pleasure to introduce Adiemus to a larger audience.

Peace.Love.Live
JPB

PS. These songs give me a feeling of peace and liberation. Considering the "place" where I currently reside, having this tranquility allows me to maintain a bit of sanity, where there otherwise may be none. The calming effects this music has on my soul, quiets the beast within and renews my spirit.

Next up in music from the edge: Ronan Hardiman

Changes

The title says it all. Most of us are afraid of change, and I guess I would have to include myself in that group.

I guess what frightens me most about change is the "unknown." There is no longer stability and consistency. Even though I don't care much for change, I think that I manage through the process very well, once I determine that I can no longer resist it.

So changing for me is hard - in the beginning...then I find it a challenge.

Challenge is easier. So as I embark on this new challenge, I will embrace the change that is to occur. I am at a crossroads. Only God knows what is in store for me.....

The World Crisis: The world that we created

Since I have decided to have a point with most of my blogs (though I am sure there will be some that have no point at all..), this one came to me while I was sleeping.

One of my favorite songs is "Is this the World We Created" by Queen from the album "The Works" released in 1984 (most famous for the song "Radio Ga-Ga"). Anyway, I bought this album (on tape) from Camelot Music at Chapel Hill Mall, in Akron, Ohio. I put this tape in my Walkman and was completely mesmerized. Not only did most of the songs on this album have a strong political message, but it rocked! (If I remember correctly, this tape stayed in my Walkman for about a year, until I had played it so much that the tape wound itself around the turning parts).

So back to the dream I had. For some reason - and it doesn't happen often - I dream in "music" and this was the soundtrack to my dream. Needless to say, I felt the need to write about it....and find a youtube video that would give justice to both the song and my dream sequence. This video comes quite close.

Originally written [Brian May & Freddie Mercury] to address the issues of starvation and poverty in the developing world, this song was adopted by various causes since, including: LiveAid, Greenpeace, WorldAids, and Unicef. The message of this song is as powerful, timely and universal now as it was 23 years ago. The images in this video use past and present events to bring this song into the new millennium.



Is This The World We Created?

Just look at all those hungry mouths we have to feed
Take a look at all the suffering we breed
So many lonely faces scattered all around
Searching for what they need

Is this the world we created?
What did we do it for?
Is this the world we invaded
Against the law?
So it seems in the end
Is this what we're all living for today?
The world that we created

You know that every day a helpless child is born
Who needs some loving care inside a happy home
Somewhere a wealthy man is sitting on his throne
Waiting for life to go by

Is this the world we created?
We made it on our own
Is this the world we devastated
Right to the bone?
If there's a God in the sky looking down
What can he think of what we've done

To the world that he created?

The World Crisis: Working Class Hero

First...I have an amazing crush on Billy Joe of Green Day. But this version of John Lennon's classic song is moving. I actually cry...seriously, the message.

This song is included in the benefit CD to help in efforts in Darfur. Watch this video. It says it all. My heart hurts. God help the people in Darfur. We must help the people of Darfur!










Please be generous in your donation. It only takes a few moments and can help save lives.

http://www.savedarfur.org/


Peace. Love. Live.

JPB

And so it goes

And goes, and goes....

Then stops....then goes again, and again....then stops....

this is basically life.

We go and we go and we go...then we stop, reasses, then go again and again and again. We never really just STOP. We are basically the "period," at the end of the sentence. Just a brief pause to finish a thought, then ....on to the next sentence. We need more than just a brief pause. We need a vacation. I don't know what this would be considered in grammatical terms (other than maybe a "quote")...

Alas, the real point of this post is the failure for an organization to realize what talent it possesses in its people. At this time, I am not at liberty to talk more about this, but I think if organizations spent more time assessing their "talent," and rewarding them accordingly, they might find that Generation X'ers would respond. Failure to do this, and the Gen X'ers jump ship.

And it goes...and goes...ang goes......