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| Orange Man Breaking Free From Ball & Chain. By Leo Blanchette. |
Monday 28 February 2011
Sunday 27 February 2011
FREEDOM QUOTES ~ 8 & 9
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| © Copyright. Its all about ambivalence |
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| © Copyright. Its all about ambivalence |
Thursday 24 February 2011
Wednesday 23 February 2011
The Axis of Awesome - How to Write a Love Song
I saw "The Axis of Awesome" for the first time recently on Jason Manford's TV show. They performed "How to write a love song" and I really couldn't stop laughing and relating to so much of what they were singing. I certainly think they are very funny and this song is such a true parody of a lot of music out there.
I hope you don't think I have included these sorts of "cliche love songs" in my blog ha-ha. I do believe this is the reason why people say they don't like love songs, because they think they are all the same and are all "Totally generic love songs".
I have to say, this is quite topical for me, as we have recently had Valentine's day. Plus as you know, I have posted quite a bit about romantic music, love quotes and have posted three of my own romantic poems.
If there is a UK tour at some point, I'll certainly get tickets. In the meantime I am certainly looking up other comedy songs of theirs.
Overall they clearly have musical and comedy song writing talent. I am sure The Axis of Awesome can only write the songs they do through having a lot of music knowledge.
I hope you enjoy watching this as much as I have.
Tuesday 22 February 2011
Monday 21 February 2011
Sunday 20 February 2011
Saturday 19 February 2011
FREEDOM QUOTE ~ 2
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| Alcatraz © It's all about ambivalence Stone walls do not a prison make Nor iron bars a cage; Minds innocent and quiet take That for an hermitage; If I have freedom in my love, And in my soul am free; Angels alone, that soar above, Enjoy such liberty. ~Richard Lovelace |
Wednesday 16 February 2011
21 SONGS ABOUT FREEDOM
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| Leo Blanchette. |
Freedom is a concept close to everybody’s heart; therefore it is no wonder, that so many people have written songs about it.
Here is a compiled list of my personal favourites. They are listed because I believe they give a strong message and get a positive statement across. Do take your time and look these up and have a listen. What do you think? Are your favourite songs about freedom listed? Or can you think of any more that you like?
- Stevie Wonder – Free
- The Cinematic Orchestra – Talking about Freedom
- Fontella Bass – Talking About Freedom
- Arethra Franklin – Think Freedom
- Bob Marley – Get up, stand up
- Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison Blues
- Boy George – Pentonville Blues
- George Michael – Freedom
- Jimi Hendrix – Freedom
- The Soup Dragons – I’m Free
- Paul McCartney – Freedom
- David Bowie – Changes
- Bob Dylan – Blowing in the wind
- Run Kid Run - Freedom
- K’naan – Give me freedom, give me fire
- Queen – I want to break free
- Elton John – Philadelphia Freedom
- Erasure – Freedom
- Jurassic 5 – Freedom
- Akon – Freedom
- Lighthouse Family - I wish I know how it would feel to be free
Saturday 12 February 2011
SNOWDROPS BRING HOPE & OPTIMISM.
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Common Snowdrop (Galanthus)
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Recently I read that the UK cold winter, had delayed the snowdrops and that some have struggled to bloom. Nonetheless, for the past week or so, we have had warmer weather. Once again, our dainty little flowers are peeping in a cheeky way, to greet you, as you arrive or leave the house.
Our small collection of snowdrops, are a pleasing sight; a surprise when they return year after year at the front of our house. We may not be having spring-like weather just yet, but they are supposed to mark the start of spring. As they are the first flowers of the year to bloom, I believe, the arrival of snowdrops, signifies new beginnings and optimism for the forthcoming months. After all, Christmas is over and done with, and we have all settled into 2011.
According to http://www.stressmanagement.co.uk Snowdrops herald the arrival of the Celtic goddess, thus helping to reduce stress. She is considered to be the Goddess of Healing, fertility in nature, crops, livestock and protector as a mid-wife welcoming all new arrivals. I can see why, because you would have to be very hard-hearted not to stop and feel some connection to nature, when you see these flowers. I love nature and the outdoors, but over the winter, those experiences are often lacking. These little flowers make me feel more connected with nature again.
I certainly believe in any ancient wisdom, or biblical references, that connect people and nature, or describe a spiritual experience, being at one with nature. Although we live in the middle of a large town, with cars or pedestrians rushing by, our snowdrops give a little bit of calm as you set off on your journey. I may not have experienced true nature this morning, when taking my Snowdrops photo. All I had to do, was take a couple of steps out of the front door. Yet I had a little oasis, away from any Saturday morning comings and goings.
The bulbs must have been planted 10 years ago, because the snowdrops were a surprise the first winter, we lived in our house. As you might expect, a lot of the garden was overgrown, with few nice plants or flowers. Therefore it is nice to see that at least one thing, lives on, that the previous house-owner liked.
I am not alone, in feeling the optimism and hope, when spotting the iconic snowdrops. It’s no wonder the bulbs have become a cash crop and a visitor attraction.
As a child, I was taken to a lot of large public gardens in England. Then in my adult life, I preferred more open spaces in the hills or coast. Yet I am inspired to visit somewhere with a lot of snowdrops on show. Perhaps it would be a pleasing sight to see a bigger collection of snowdrops, which would also mark our first outing of the year, away from our town.
There are quite a few gardens in England, with a good display of Snowdrops. Some of which, must only be an hour or so, from where we live. Why not make a new tradition at the end of January or start of February?
Wednesday 9 February 2011
Best Love Quotes
Ever wondered what to write on a Valentines Day card? Look no further because I have gathered together some of the most inspirational love quotes.
“Even logical positivists are capable of love”
~ A.J. Ayer
“Eternity is love with the production of time”
~ William Blake
“Love seeketh not itself to please, nor for itself hath any care,
but for another gives its ease, and builds a Heaven in Hell's despair”
~ William Blake
"Take away love, and our earth is a tomb"
~ Robert Browning
~ Robert Browning
“The falling out of lovers is the renewing of love”
~ Robert Burton
“A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge”
~ Thomas Carlyle
~ Thomas Carlyle
“Love is wiser than ambition”
~ Barry Cornwall
"Life has taught us that love
does not consist in gazing at each other,
does not consist in gazing at each other,
but in looking outward together in the same direction"
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
“Love knows no mean or measure”
~ Phineas Fletcher
“Love’s sooner felt than seen”
~ Phineas Fletcher
“Love is a game that two can play and both win”
~Eva Gabor
~Eva Gabor
“Love is a circle that doth restless move,
in the same sweet eternity of love”
in the same sweet eternity of love”
~ Robert Herrick
“If I know what love is, it is because of you"
~ Herman Hesse
“Love and a red rose can’t be hid”
~ Thomas Holcroft
“We come to love not by finding a perfect person,
but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly"
~ Sam Keen
~ Sam Keen
“Affection is responsible for nine-tenths
of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives”
~ C. S. Lewis
~ C. S. Lewis
“In true love the smallest distance is too great,
and the greatest distance can be bridged"
~ Hans Nouwens
and the greatest distance can be bridged"
~ Hans Nouwens
“The course of true love never did run smooth”
~ William Shakespeare
“O! How this spring of love resembleth
the uncertain glory of an April day.
Which now shows all the beauty of the sun.
And by a cloud takes all away”
the uncertain glory of an April day.
Which now shows all the beauty of the sun.
And by a cloud takes all away”
~ William Shakespeare
“And all for love and nothing for reward”
~ Edmund Spencer
“A very small degree of hope is sufficient to cause the birth of love”
~ Stendhal
~ Stendhal
“Love is love forevermore”
~ Tennyson
"Love is friendship set on fire"
~ Jeremy Taylor
~ Jeremy Taylor
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage”
~ Lao Tzu
~ Lao Tzu
“I love you not because of who you are,
but because of who I am when I am with you"
~ Unknown
~ Unknown
“His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love”
~ William Wordsworth
References:
http://www.brainyquote.com
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. (1981)
Oxford Dictionary of Humorous Quotations (2004)
A Dictionary of Quotations
Tuesday 8 February 2011
20 LOVE SONGS YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE HEARD FOR A WHILE
- You belong to me - Dean Martin
- Close to You -The Carpenters
- Old Devil Called Love - Alison Moyet
- Lovestruck - Duffy
- I do - Jewel
- Hero - Enrique Iglasias
- Here with me - Dido
- Hello - Lionel Richie
- Only you - Alison Moyet
- Wicked Game - Chris Isaak
- Miracle of love - Eurythmics
- Is it love? - Nadia Ali
- Nine billion bicycles - Katy Melua
- Runaway - The Corrs
- What’s Love Got To Do With it - Tina Turner
- Take my breath away- Berlin
- Is this love? - Alison Moyet
- Eternal Flame - Bangles
- Three Times A Lady - The Commodores
- Broken Wings - Mr Mister
If you are making a playlist, I hope you can find plenty of music you like, either from this list, or from my initial lists at:
Friday 4 February 2011
BLOGGING WITHOUT OBLIGATION
People have been blogging for over 10 years. Perhaps at some point, every other person has thought of doing a blog. Some will have continued, others given up on, perhapas because people are busy with everyday life.
I have read so many blog posts, where somebody has apologised for not posting for a while. It's a shame people feel guilty about that, after all it's not their job; it's supposed to be for themselves, or a hobby. That means that you do it in your own time, as often or as little as you feel like it. When you create your blog, you do not sign a contract, or stipulate in advance how often you will do a blog post!
Perhaps the frequency of blog posts depends on the nature of your blog, your topics and your inspiration. I personally don't see the point in blogging random blather, just to ensure you have posted recently.
On the right, you will have read my ideas for forthcoming blog posts. Over time this may change, but I will blog when I am inspired to. I am not going to blog about every minutiae of my life, or blog every time I go somewhere, or have a problem. Not only do I value my privacy, but I am blogging as escapism.
In that respect, I am inspired to post this because I agree with the "Blogging without obligation" cause.
I take this opportunity in advance, not to apologise for occasions when I have not blogged for a while. I really don't think that blogging should turn into a burden, where you think "that's another thing I have to fit in today or later in the week". That would defeat the object, wouldn’t it?
If I spend too much time blogging, perhaps the novelty will wear off, and before I know it, I'll become busy with other things and not bother. That would be a shame if you start off with such enthusiasm and it fizzles out.
Certainly if something is a hobby, it shouldn't become a stress or a chore. You may have a vague target at the back of your mind, but perhaps that should be approximate. In case your circumstances change, or your inspiration changes, that approximate target should change.
I feel encouraged by my gradually growing following. People seem to like these romantic poems and some people have said they can relate to them. A while ago, somebody said that one of my earlier posts was thought provoking. That's the aim of the game, to write something thought-provoking, something inspiring or something that people may relate to, or find funny. That may be no mean feat in itself, without carving in stone, the frequency of a blogging obligation.
Perhaps some people’s anxiety about blogging frequency stems from the number of followers. Perhaps people will think that people will un-follow if they don’t blog for a bit, or that they will not attract new people. Let’s face it, we all know how it is and that there will be times, when we blog and times when we cannot. Granted I’m sure it does defeat the object if you blog and you think nobody is reading it though.
Another thing is that perhaps we are all spending increasing amounts of times online. There is the checking of your e-mails, forums, Twitter and or Facebook. Checking your blog replies and posting new blog posts, is of course another thing to keep an eye on. As is the time you take to read other people’s blogs and posting replies to their topics. It can also be time consuming promoting your blog and perhaps it is possible to spend as much time promoting it, as you do actually writing it!
It pays not too get too involved on the Internet, too intense, or too personal and give away too much about yourself. Time and time again, I have heard bad stories about Facebook, bullying, accusations, some of which serious and un-founded. The last thing I want is for blogging to turn into a problem in itself in that way. Perhaps the more time you spend online, you increase the chance of saying something that somebody would take the wrong way, or yourself taking something badly.
As far as developing the blog and blogging frequency, perhaps we should all see how it goes. Life is busy or stressful enough. No doubt any blog will take on a life of its own and develop over time. No doubt there is a learning curve when it comes to blogging and how things progress must also feel right for you. Rest assured that changes in my blogging frequency will be for a reason e.g. I’m ill, I’m busy, changes in inspiration, or spending too much time online.
Thursday 3 February 2011
ROMANTIC POEM 3
Is it lust or is it love?
Is it lust or is it love?
The instant connection,
As our bodies embrace
The relaxing yet tingling passion.
I know there has been a lot of flirtation.
We have not known each-other long,
Just fun times together, never an obsession.
Who knows, our love may grow strong.
I know we have to keep things simple,
Yet sometimes, our time has been blissful.
We will see how it goes;
I know it is too soon to be in love.
At least there are no rows.
Let’s not make the stakes too high,
Until the weekend, this is goodbye.
People said you are a charmer.
You may be a little bit romantic,
Who knows if you’ll become,
My knight in shining armour.
Looking forwards, all futuristic.
Copyright ©
It's all about ambivalence
Wednesday 2 February 2011
ROMANTIC POEM 2
OUR LOVE IS LIKE A DREAM.
If you could count the stars in the night sky,
It would be like my love, I cannot deny.
My love for you, is in my heart and in my head,
When I am awake and when I am in bed.
Our love has always been a natural progression,
Our love will continue with the same momentum.
My love for you has a comforting certainty,
Simply like the ticking of a clock.
Your love moves in never-ending circles,
Always and forever moving clockwise.
Our long-lasting love is simply destiny.
I know that we have love, which will always last.
Our love is much more than just company,
Yet loneliness is a thing of the past.
Our love means we are never at a loose end.
You are my lover and my best friend
Copyright ©
It's all about ambivalence
ROMANTIC POEM
YOU ARE MY INSPIRATION AND MY MOTIVATION.
Our love is walking along the same path,
Being able to make each-other laugh
Our love is lending a compassionate ear,
Showing that we care whatever we fear.
Our love grows, whatever we face,
We know when to hug, and when to embrace.
Our love is about always sharing our life,
We share our joy and share our grief.
Our love is about teamwork and dedication,
Keeping an open mind and discarding disbelief.
This makes us a good husband, and a good wife.
Our love will last the duration.
Copyright ©
It's all about ambivalence
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