Common’s album Be is a favorite. And this song is the last song of the album. These words make my soul sing. Different lines speak to my heart at different times, but two of my favorites right now are: Be high when you’re low and know when to go. And a life goal is to: Be loved by God as much as God loved Ghandi and Martin Luther King.
After the jump, the lyrics in their entirety. I hope they bring you comfort and inspiration as they have done for me.
Amazing how fast life can change on you. You are plugging along and you wake up one day and everything changes. Well, we had three days like that last week. Funny how when it rains, it pours. And all you can do is just keep plugging along, knowing better days will come.
I have been reading Rita Marley’s most amazing book No Woman, No Cry. It’s amazing to hear the stories of Bob Marley as a young man in love, father and visionary. It was inspiring to hear Sister Rita’s story of self-discovery, growth and healing. She had to face such darkness and difficulties, yet she came out with her head held high.
After the jump, wisdom from Nana Rita’s most excellent book, as I seek to bring healing to myself, my family and our global village.
So the trip to NM got canceled. Family business kept me home and it was the right decision. But I’m sad as hell because I really wanted to hang out with my homies – Amy, Fishy, Chico, Henry, Big Pat and Kev (both of them). And we are all such slackers NONE of us made it back this week. So what we have heah is a two tears in a bucket situation. Instead, we shall have the next best thing, a Bonita Appleblog on-line party and a new plan to reunite in July, when we would actually have time to plan of it.
So Ima start the party up with a shout out to my college homeboy, Kev, who had KILLER taste in music back then. He was a hip hop head for sure and he really turned me on to a lot of deep stuff, including KRS-One, Tribe and Beastie Boys (including the grossly under-rated, Paul’s Boutique). So until we all kick it in Santa, let’s hop in the way back machine. It’s 1994, ya’ll and it’s the golden age of hip hop.
Check back soon. I have more dedications and whatever musings come to mind. But I’m just enjoying the hell out of a mix of mine from 2002 called “La Smoove” and it’s taking me back to 1994 and those lazy, hazy, crazy days of birkenstocks, desert sun and cross colors gears, yo!
So after the jump, Fu Schicken, Black Sheep, Tribe and all kinds of insanity from the early nineties. When hip hop was exploding and the good guys were taking it all to the next level.
“But it can only be moved by the subtlest of means. It can be moved by water, one drop at a time. It can be moved by wind, one breath at a time. We’re talking about moving a mountain that says the we feel that the human interests, the natural interests and the spiritual interests of this planet need to begin to take a priority over the corporate interests, the military interests and the materilistic interst of this planet.”
Yes, yes and YES! Thanks so much to UtterNutter, these words speak to my soul. Mad love! And big ups to Micheal Franti and Spearhead! Keep fighting the good fight, one song at a time! xo
More songs that make my soul sing after the jump! Read the rest of this entry »
Since writing the post about How Sir Mix-A-Lot led me to Seattle, it seems like the planets have aligned. Like things are so on right now, it’s kind of freaking me out. Don’t believe me, let me tell you about the last week.
As I mentioned, me and the nephew attended a most excellent reggae show at a club I’d never been to. What I didn’t tell you was that one of the first things I saw was a sign that was so meaningful, I almost caught the vapors.
After the jump, the amazing sign and all sorts of other good things leading me back home.
So every now and again, you got to blow it out. For me, that means going out dancing until the wee hours. If I’m lucky, it happens a couple of times a year. I’ve been on a killer roll the last few years. I keep picking out just the right spot to get our groove on. And the music gods continue to bless us. Think I’m exaggerating? Last December, I picked out a tiny spot downtown that we had never been to. It was not crowded (score!), totally chill and the opening DJ’s ENTIRE SET consisted of Tribe Called Quest jams and early nineties hip hop. And then the real DJ, took us to anotha level. Me and Little Sister Applebum blew it out and closed the bar down. Because that’s how we do.
But I digress. This Friday, me and the neph needed to drag our sorry sack selves out of our self imposed hermithood. We needed to blow it out in the worst way. So I picked up my entertainment bible, The Stranger and perused the Friday night options. The winner: Dub Lounge International. And all I can say is, they made this Santa Fe girl’s reggae heart SO glad. They made me a a believer, while taking me back home to my roots.
After the jump, tales from the dancehall floor.
When Mix calls, you answer.
I’ve never told this story to anyone, simply because they would laugh. This is a silly story, but I swear it’s true. When I was 26, I had been in Albuquerque for two years and knew I needed a change. I loved being back in New Mexico after the Peace Corps, but I had a strong sense that I was never meant to stay in NM.
I started considering places to move. I ruled out most of the US really quickly. Back east has too much snow and cold. (This also ruled out the mid-west.) The south was too hot and muggy. Texas and Arizona were still too close to home. (I mean seriously, Phoenix is Albuquerque-west.) California? I love to visit, but could not deal with the cost of living. So there I was. Where to go, where to go? Read the rest of this entry »
Suzanne White’s prediction for year of the Metal Tiger:
All Tiger years are turbulent. Political unrest, coups d’états, and catastrophes may strike during these action-packed years. On the other hand, for many, Tiger years represent luck incarnate. Tigers are lucky beasts. Keeping a Tiger person close by or in your very home will protect you from fire and theft.
This year prudence is advised in all new undertakings. During a Tiger year, nobody should leap before he examines either venture or adventure. The Tiger, though noble and honorable, endows his years with uncertainty. He tends to court danger and espouse change. Tigers never know where they might pounce next. In Tiger years, from time to time the the rest of us to face head-on collisions with our own enemies. When we least expect that calamity, it surges out of nowhere. Much strength may be required of us during these testy times. Best way to deal is not to anticipate disorder or worry about what might happen next. Prepare for the worst. But think positively.
After the jump, the rest of her prediction and some other ways to celebrate and honor El Tigre Chino!
My sharing of my cosmic mixes has been well documented on this blog. The last few weeks, I extended the circle a little further, I sent out my second batch of mixes to some Jezzies. It was a really big moment. I’m so excited to share this music with my homegirls.
You better know a jezzie.
After the jump, some great mix stories and some KILLER joints from White Girls Rap 1. Because we’re bringing the mix tape back , yo!
The isolation among us is costing us all dearly. We waste money on entertainment because we don’t know how connect with those around us. We waste money constantly shopping for our own EVERYTHING, when so much could be done without or shared between multiple users.We avoid our neighbors, why? Too busy to engage? Afraid they may want to talk again some time in the future?
I don’t think we ever intended to create this lonely, vaguely hostile environment we live in, but it’s becoming insufferable. We have more than ever before (way more than our fair share!) yet we are isolated, disconnected and in-debt with little to show for it. Our money, our time, our relationships, our communities – all these things suffer as a result of our over-consumption and wasteful behavior. The only way to feel better is to live better. And the first step to living better is reaching out to those around you.
So after the jump, ways to reach out to neighbors, friends and strangers. Because the only way this world is going to change is if we all start doing something differently.
