Joy of Words

Can you believe I took this photo with my cell phone???

I went down to the beach last night to calm down a bit.  I live so close, yet I never go as often as I should.  So yesterday I went...to ground my energy.  I have too much fire energy right now...and I thought some water would cool me off a bit.  And it worked like a charm!  I love the ocean this time of year.  It's darker...and more turbulent.  I also love that the beach is quiet.  So as I sat there, I just opened my heart to the divine.  Letting the wind caress my face and said "do what you will with me...I am totally open."  I felt so free at that moment.

As I sat there on the edge of my world I began thinking about words...

Don't you love words?  Words are like magic.  If you ever read The Four Agreements...you know this.  Funny thing about words though...they can affect you deeply...but only if you choose them to do so.

You can take words personally...or not. I have learned to not take a lot of words personally...and that is powerful!

I know for those of you that chose a word to guide you through 2009...those special words held great meaning and significance.  A wonderful gift you have given yourself this year.  I know my word, deserve, was very special for me.  And it really did impact my year.  Cool, huh?

Oh yes...I do have my word for 2010...and I can't wait to share it with you.

Anyway...when looking at my blog name...I was thinking...jeeze, I don't feel so "whimsical" anymore.  I don't feel bad or dark or anything like that, but the word does not carry the same meaning as it did 6 months ago.  So I am thinking...only thinking right now...about changing the name.  I don't know...I have to sit with this for a bit.  Because, I will most likely change my mind.  I am fickle like that!

Anyway...for those of you thinking about the New Year and resolutions *blech* I hate resolutions...they are a set up for failure! I highly suggest throwing that idea out the door and going with a word instead.  Carefully choosing a word that will carry you through 2010.  A powerful and positive word...an affirmation if you will.

Here is a list to start with:

• abundance
• peace
• balance
• courage
• dedication
• intention
• manifestation
• loving
• freedom
• playful
• focus
• family
• centering
• healing
• dream
• happiness
• strength
• unity
• gratitude
• release
• forgiveness
• empowerment
• create
• intention
• spirit
• grace
• acceptance
• imagination
• freedom
• serenity
• passion
• resolve
• transformation
• magic
• determination
• joy
• adaptability
• resourcefulness
• confidence
• trust
• faith
• independence
  
• healthy
• bloom
• shine
• seek

What do you think?  Sound like a plan?

Joy of the Muse

Yep...I most defiantly downloaded the muse, as suggested by Stark Raving Zen. No doubt about it.  I call my muse "the mistress of the night."  Seriously.  Because the words I am writing are intense, dark, rich and soulful (mmm...sounds like a good cup of coffee).  It's like a part of myself that I didn't know existed just opened up. Just like that. *snap* It's even affecting my photography (check out my latest here).

When I finish writing and read the words, I am blown away.  Where on earth is this coming from?  Because, for the most part, I think of myself as this cheerful, light and carefree "girl".  Happy.  Easygoing.  And what I am writing is haunting to say the least.  But it is also very fulfilling.  If that makes any sense. (maybe someday I will share my writing...but for now, I am not ready).

It's as if this muse is an ancient wise woman...passing this sacred torch on to me. Letting me know that it's OK to grow up now. It's my time.  Because, honestly, I have never felt like a grown up...even with having kids.  But suddenly, I feel really different.  Older. Wiser.  Yes, grown up. As if the words I am writing are changing me as they flow from my mind on to the paper.  These words are leaving traces of wisdom...

Thankfully, this post over at Christina's filled me with needed peace and silence, as I yearn for those moments more than ever.  I miss the winter right now.  I miss that cold hard wind clearing my head.  That stillness and solitude of a snowfall. Hibernation...

Man-o-man what a seriously trippy couple of weeks it has been. Never in my life did I expect this to happen.

So, if you happen to download the muse...you better grab that wheel and hold on for dear life...because you are going to be in for one thrilling ride!

Joy of the music that shaped you

On a total whim I picked up the CD to New Moon (no, I have not seen the movie, nor am I a die hard Twilight fan...OK...just wanted to get that out of the way.).  I heard a few tracks and thought...this is some really cool sounding music!  And I have not bought cool music in a long long time.  As I listened to this (I had a lot of time as I was painting the guest room) I realized that this all sounds like 80's alternative rock (which is what I grew up listening too...this the music that shaped me, if you will).  I was not a hair band girl in the 80's...I thought I was too deep and twisty for that kind of stuff...lol.  I was just too cool for school (I literally thought I was...but luckily graduated...*smiles*).

But seriously...the music I listened to as a teen really shaped me as an adult.  Music absolutely affects my soul.

When I was 16 (and could finally drive) my favorite thing to do on weekends was going downtown (Chicago) and visiting my favorite record (that is correct...RECORD) store off Rush and Division St.  I would talk with the "cool as crap" people behind the counter about the new sound of the moment...stuff that no one heard of yet.  I got totally hooked on the "Manchester sound"  God, I loved those British rockers!  I took fierce pride in the fact that I was listening to music that most of my friends never heard of.  I fought against being mainstream. Somehow, in my mind, it made me cooler.  Funny, huh?

So, where am I going with this tangent?

I don't  know...it's just that when listening to this CD, it brought back so many good memories.  I forgot about those days.  Being a teenager...discovering new sounds...being curious, free and open.  And, somehow this CD stirred them all up!

So for anyone who is curious, this is what I am hearing on this CD (if you want, click the links to the particular song)... Bronski Beat (totally awesome song here) Peter Murphy, Xymox (this was my favorite song in 1989) Stone Roses, Morrissey (oh...another big fave! He was the friggin coolest), Psychedelic furs, The The,  Kate Bush (this song still makes me want to weep) and even some Roxy music.

Please tell me someone out there in blog land liked this music too...

Ah well...

I find it amusing that the young *kids* buying this today think this is all such a cool new sound...oh how wrong they are.  I am way cooler...lol...I was listening to this 25 years ago!  Damn...

So if you were a fan of 80's alternative rock...I suggest picking this baby up and giving it a spin...it won't disappoint!

I think this is my favorite song from the CD (if it were 1988, it would be my favorite song of the moment)...I swear I hear a tiny twinge of Morrissey in his voice ...what do you think?





So I wanna know...what music shaped you???

Joy of Failure

How about that for a title today?

Aw shucks...I am just having a bit of fun with you ;)  But seriously, I think my head must have been in a hole somewhere because I cannot believe that I have not stumbled across this blog before!

So instead of catching up on the things I should be doing today...I got totally "sucked in."  I was literally laughing with tears rolling down my face. That's the best isn't it? Ahhhh...  I am so immature sometimes!

So I wanted to share a few of my favoirte failures with you today...

And to my Canadian friends...lol...such trouble makers you are!

This is probably photoshopped...but it's still damn funny...

And don't forget...please keep your kids from pissing off the cart onto the floor...that's just rude!

Allrighty then...hope this brings a little laughter to your day!